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I Spy: a sticker of a magnifying glass

How to Play I Spy

Describe something you can see by its color, shape or first sound while everyone else guesses what it is.

  • Whole class
  • 5 min
  • Nothing to prepare
  • Pre-K to 1st grade
  • Quiet
One page with all five steps

How to Play

5 steps
  1. I Spy, step 1: Pick something

    Pick something

    Secretly choose an object everyone can see.

  2. I Spy, step 2: Give the clue

    Give the clue

    Say: I spy with my little eye something that is red.

  3. I Spy, step 3: Guess

    Guess

    Classmates guess objects around the room.

  4. I Spy, step 4: More clues

    More clues

    Add a clue if nobody gets it.

  5. I Spy, step 5: Next spy

    Next spy

    Whoever guesses it spies next.

Ways to Change It Up

  • Phonics I SpyGive the beginning sound: something that starts with /b/.
  • Shape I SpySpy something shaped like a circle or a triangle.

What You Need

No tools needed: I Spy takes nothing but the class.

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Seven students tap thumbs while the class hides their eyes, then everyone guesses who tapped them.

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20 Questions: a sticker of a big question mark next to the number 20

20 Questions

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One person thinks of a word; the class gets 20 yes-or-no questions to guess it.

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I Spy Questions

Plan the Game into the Week

Drop a game into any lesson plan in EMStudio, with the rules attached. Free to start.

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