Equipping Minds


     "I see two Chick-fil-A cows."
If you have been to Chick-fil-A this month, you have received the game Spot It in your Kid's Meal. They are part of the Blue Orange Games which encourage family together time and having fun. Teachers can also use these games in their classrooms. I want to take you beyond the "typical" ways to play Spot It and show you how to use it to build processing, visual memory, auditory memory, working memory, and long term memory. This list is not exhaustive. I encourage you to create other ways to play and email me with your ideas. 

Visual Memory, Working Memory, and Processing
* Show one  constant card.
* Say the objects on the  constant card: "a green snake, a blue dolphin, a pink pig..." 
* Each player draws a card, finds the match on the "constant" card, and says "I see two     blue dolphins." Always use a full sentence and say, "I see ( number, color,                          animal/object)."
* Players can take turns or play competitively. I recommend taking turns initially. 
* After the players have matched each card to the constant card, turn the constant             card over and recall the animals on the constant card. 

Auditory Memory, Working Memory,  and Processing
* Do  NOT show the one  constant card to the players.
* Chose someone to say what is on the card, "I see two green turtles...." Keep the              constant card hidden.
* Each player draws a card, finds the match on the "constant" card, and says "I see two     blue dolphins."Always use a full sentence and say, "I see ( number, color,                           animal/object)."
* Players can take turns or play competitively. I recommend taking turns initially. 
* After the players have matched each card to the constant card, turn the constant             card over and recall the animals on the constant card. 

Long Term Memory Recall
* Recall all of the objects on the cards in 1 minute or longer. Keep a record of the              objects mentioned. 

Comparison
 * When you find the items that match,  compare the sizes. The animals are small,               medium, or large. 
 * Compare the different objects by color and size. Are the animals dangerous or                 friendly?

Categorization/Classification: foundational to higher order thinking and strong long term memory
* Place 9 cards on the table.
* Do a systematic search by starting at the top left card and move left to right.                    Classify or group  the objects into categories. Discuss what is similar and what                  is different on the cards.
* Spot it Animal  categories  could be 1) water animals 2) land animals 3) animals that         fly  or  1) mammal 2) reptile 3) bird 4) amphibian 5) fish 6) arthropod 
* Spot It Party and Camping categories could be 1) inanimate (non living) 2) animate        (living) 3) vegetation or  1) things you would wear  2) things you would use  or                  classify according to color.
 
Reading, Writing, and Grammar
 * Have students tell you what they see. The parent and/or teacher can write it on a            dry erase board. The student can then read it. 
 * Have the students write what they see. "I see two red balloons ."        
           
Always remember to tell the student that you are playing a game and have fun! 

Contact Carol Brown  for a phone consultation, workshop, individual sessions on Skype, or an evaluation at 859-613-2290 or [email protected]. You can purchase the Equipping Minds Cognitive Development Workbooks and training DVD's on the website.