Detective Adjective Game

Detective Adjective Game
Language - Grammar
Level	Primary
Age	5.5 +
Prerequisites	Geometric Cabinet Adjective Logical Adjective Game
Materials	Detective 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.

   

2. Open the box, and empty the triangles onto the mat.

   

3. Write "the triangle" on a slip of paper.
   "Can you get this for me?"

   

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."

   

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.

   

6. Put all of the triangles that are not the correct color back into the box.

   

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."

   

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.)

   

9. Put all the triangles that are not the correct size back into the box.

   

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."

    

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.

    

12. Put all the triangles that are not the correct shape back into the box.

    

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."

    

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.

    

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."

    

16. Get out the box of grammar symbols to identify the part of speech for each word in the phrase.

    

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.

   

4. The triangles that have been ruled out should be placed back in the box.

   

5. The second child should continue asking questions until they have figured out the correct triangle.

   

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.

    

• Play the board game Guess Who.

Material

Make Your Own

• Printable materials:

• 

  Detective Adjective Game - color

• 

  Detective Adjective Game - black line

• 

  Detective Adjective Labels

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