Stereognostic Sense II: Mystery Bag, Montessori World Educational Institute

Mystery Bag - Stereognostic Sense II

An attractive cloth bag filled with about 20 small objects

well-known to the children. There must be at least the

same number of objects as there are children.

Sample objects may include: a short pencil, an eraser, a large

bead, a penny, a ring, a teaspoon, a small box, a small toy,

a spool of thread, blackboard chalk, a small rock, a large bean,

a small triangle, a small wooden cube (or other shape), a key, etc.

This is a group game. The children sit in a semi-circle. The first

time it is played the teacher has a small table beside her.

First Introduction. The teacher takes the objects out of the bag on

at a time and places them on the table. If the children want to

handle them, they do so. When the children are familiar with the

contents of the bag, the objects are replaced in the bag.

The teacher asks the group if someone would like to come, put on

the blindfold, put a hand in the bag, take out an object, feel it

and guess what it is without looking. She tells the other children

not to say what the object is until the child has guessed.

Any child can come and do this until the bag is empty. If the

children are enjoying the game, the objects can be returned to the

bag and the game played again.

When the children know the objects well, the objects can be changed.

However, the objects must not be changed without first consulting

the children. They may like to help choose things for the bag.

Generally before 5 years. With older children you can use smaller

objects.

Note

The teacher should not make the children take turns. They are

not yet ready for this type of social justice. If one child wants

to try several times, let him. Other children may prefer to watch

at first. However, the teacher should see that everyone who wants

to try does get the opportunity to do so. So, the teacher should

not start the game unless there is ample time to satisfy the

children.