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Each day my kindergarten students are challenged to put their phonics and critical thinking skills to the test by uncovering the mystery word of the day. Using the basic idea I learned at a “Building Better Readers” workshop and a name from our favorite read-aloud series, “The Magic Tree House”, I have incorporated a mystery word into our daily routine. We begin our reading block with a visit from our mystery word mistress, “Mystery Morgan”, wearing a black hat with glow in the dark stars and matching magic wand. After spreading a little imaginary magic on the whiteboard, the students are reminded of the clues given earlier in the morning which consist of the letter and sound of the day as well as current topics, concepts and/or skills.

To add an extra twist, one day a week I choose a mystery word from the “Daily Journal” section of the newspaper that contains articles and pictures of the community in which my students live. I obtain multiple copies of the “Daily Journal” section to allow small groups of students to be able to browse through the newspaper in search of the mystery word using the clues they were given. After the students have had time to make and discuss their observations, the whole group gathers to uncover the mystery word.
The group as a whole is allowed to ask “Mystery Morgan” 10 questions about the mystery word. After reviewing the clues, students are given time to discuss possible solutions with each
other. Gathering back together, their phonics knowledge begins to pay off as the students take turns making a prediction of the mystery word and how it is spelled one letter at a time incorporating a variety of differentiated skills to accommodate each learner. Skills vary from basic letter recognition and sound associations to syllables, coding of vowels, blends, digraphs, nouns, verbs, and adjectives to math, science and social studies content. Afterwards, the mystery item and a correlating read-aloud book are retrieved from the mystery word bag. As a follow-up, the newspapers are used during small group work for a variety of activities.

The students enjoyed looking through the newspaper and having time to discuss what they saw. This is an excellent way to develop vocabulary, conversational and interpersonal skills while teaching phonics. The success of this activity is evident in their ever increasing phonics knowledge, critical thinking and enthusiasm for the activity.

Christine Wassem
Kindergarten
Coronado Beach Elementary

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