Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to reinforce the ASL listing technique in your classroom? Try “Mind Reading,” a partner-based activity that challenges students to guess each other’s selected words. This game not only promotes vocabulary recognition but also enhances students’ ability to use listing and ranking strategies effectively.
How to Play Mind Reading
1. Select Three Words
Each student receives a word list provided by the teacher. The list can be themed around a recent lesson, such as emotions, animals, clothing, or Valentine’s Day. Students will individually choose three – five words from the list that they want to “hide” from their partner. I like to do this digitally with gifs but this can also be done with English words if you need it to be done quickly and you are strapped for time.
2. Mark Your Words
Using the shape tools (digitally) students select a circle shape and place the numbers 1, 2, and 3 in three different circles. They then place a small circle in the bottom right corner of each chosen word to indicate their selections. Or students can write on a hard copy if working on a non-digital document. Be sure student DO NOT tell theri partner the words they selected!
3. Partner Up
Students pair up and sit across from one another, ensuring they cannot see each other’s word lists.
Here are various ways you can partner students
4. Guess Using the Listing Technique
Taking turns, students attempt to “read” their partner’s mind by guessing which words were selected. Instead of simply stating words at random, they must use the listing technique in ASL. For example, a student might sign:
“THREE WORDS, FIRST thumb (sign word), SECOND index (sign word), THIRDmiddle finger (sign word)”
Their partner will respond with a facial expression or a non-verbal cue to indicate if any words are correct. If the guessed words are incorrect, they must refine their selections and continue until they correctly identify all three words. The partner shoud touch the fingers of the words that were correct. For example, touch the tumb and middle finger and sign YES then touch the index finger and sign NO.
To add a challenge, the partner can say one answer was correct but not tell the person which word. This will prolong the game.
5. Celebrate and Discuss
Once both partners have correctly identified each other’s words, they can celebrate their success with a high-five, a quick review of signs, or even a discussion about which signs were the hardest to guess.
Why This Activity Works
Encourages Active Engagement – Students stay involved and interact throughout the entire activity. Reinforces Vocabulary – Repeated exposure to signs strengthens retention. Develops ASL Listing Skills – Using listing techniques in a real-world application helps students master this important ASL grammar structure. Builds Social Skills – Encourages communication and teamwork between students.
Variations to Keep It Fresh
- Timed Challenge: Set a timer and see who can guess all three words the fastest.
- Themed Lists: Change up the word lists to match different units or holidays.
- Group Play: Instead of pairs, students can work in small groups and take turns guessing each other’s words.
Try “Mind Reading” in your ASL classroom and watch as students develop their language skills while having a blast!
This activity and many more are in the Big Book of Activities. Check them all out today!
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