Detective Adjective Game

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Detective Adjective Game
Language - Grammar
DAG 17.jpg
LevelPrimary
Age5.5 +
PrerequisitesGeometric Cabinet
Adjective
Logical Adjective Game
MaterialsDetective Adjective Game triangles
Grammar Symbol set
paper slips
pencil
scissors

This activity helps the child learn the function of adjectives.

Presentation

Initial Presentation with Teacher

  1. Take the Detective Adjective Game box and the writing tray to a mat or table.
    Detective Adjective Game 1.JPG
  2. Open the box, and empty the triangles onto the mat.
    Detective Adjective Game 2.JPG Detective Adjective Game 3.JPG
  3. Write "the triangle" on a slip of paper.
    "Can you get this for me?"
    Detective Adjective Game 4.JPG
  4. The child should get a triangle and place the label underneath.
    You should say: "Yes, that is a triangle, but it's not the triangle that I was thinking of. Let me give you a clue to figure out which one I want."
    Detective Adjective Game 5.JPG
  5. Write a color word on a slip of paper and hand this to the child.
    You will need to use the scissors to cut apart "the triangle" in the same way that was done in the Adjective lesson in order to put the color word in the middle.
    Detective Adjective Game 6.JPG
  6. Put all of the triangles that are not the correct color back into the box.
    Detective Adjective Game 7.JPG
  7. Have the child pick out a new triangle from those that remain.
    Say: "Yes, that is a red triangle, but it isn't the red triangle that I was thinking of. Let me give you another clue to figure out which one I want."
    DAG 8.jpg
  8. Write down a size word on a slip of paper.
    Try putting the new adjective in different places in the phrase until the order sounds correct.
    (The size word should come before the color word.)
    DAG 9.jpg
  9. Put all the triangles that are not the correct size back into the box.
    DAG 10.jpg
  10. Have the child pick out a new triangle from those that remain.
    Say: "Yes, that is a large red triangle, but it isn't the large red triangle that I was thinking of. Let me give you another clue to figure out which one I want."
    DAG 11.jpg
  11. Write down an adjective for the triangle's shape on a slip of paper.
    Try putting the new adjective in different places in the phrase until the order sounds correct.
    DAG 12.jpg
  12. Put all the triangles that are not the correct shape back into the box.
    DAG 13.jpg
  13. Have the child pick out a new triangle from those that remain.
    Say: "Yes, that is a large red right triangle, but it isn't the large red right triangle that I was thinking of. I'll give you another clue to figure out which one I want."
    DAG 14.jpg
  14. Write down another adjective to describe the triangle's shape.
    Help the child find the correct spot for this word in the phrase.
    Put the triangle that isn't correct back in the box.
    DAG 15.jpg
  15. There should now be only one triangle left.
    The child should place this above the words.
    Say: "Yes! That is the triangle I was thinking of: the large red right isosceles triangle."
    DAG 16.jpg
  16. Get out the box of grammar symbols to identify the part of speech for each word in the phrase.
    DAG 17.jpg

Note: If you pick an equilateral triangle for this game, the phrase will only have three adjectives.

Two Students Working Together

  1. Set up the material as in the initial presentation.
    You will also need the labels with the phrases that describe each triangle, and labels that have the individual words.
  2. One of the children should draw a label that describes a particular triangle.
    They should hold it so the second child can't see it.
  3. The second child should ask questions to try to figure out which triangle the label describes.
    For example: "Is your triangle red?"
    The child asking questions can use the single word labels to remember what questions could be asked.
    DAG var1.jpg
  4. The triangles that have been ruled out should be placed back in the box.
    DAG var2.jpg DAG var3.jpg
  5. The second child should continue asking questions until they have figured out the correct triangle.
    DAG var4.jpg

Points of Interest

Control of Error

Variations and Extensions

  • Do a Venn Diagram with two adjectives:
    • Make two circles out of yarn. Lay them so they partially overlap.
    • Pick two adjectives (not from the same category) and put one above each circle.
    • Place triangles in the correct circle, in the intersecting area, or back in the box.
      Detective Adjective Game Extension 1.png Detective Adjective Game Extension 2.png
  • Play the board game Guess Who.

Material

Make Your Own

  • Printable materials:

Where to Buy

Prices and links checked: 23 January 2022
(Amazon/Bookshop are affiliate links, which help cover costs of running the site.)

Detective Adjective Game
Store Price
Adena $21.95
Affordable Montessori $35.00
Albanesi $25.00
Alison's $36.65
Alison's
premium
$80.00
Bruins $45.00
E & O $33.30
IFIT $20.00
Kid Advance $22.99
Leader Joy $22.95
Materials Co. of Boston $75.00
Montessori Outlet $25.95
Nienhuis $48.85
Pink Montessori $18.90
Thinkamajigs $33.95
Wintergreen $59.95
Task Cards
Store Price
Alison's $12.00
Nienhuis $19.75