Undercover Agent

Purpose

Parts of a problem, visual, or question are revealed one small piece at a time, and students synthesize all the clues to determine the big idea.

Materials

• Visual/problem/question with animated boxes covering it (projected or paper copy)
• Undercover Agent template (English/Spanish)
• Highlighters
• Sticky notes (if not projecting template)

Instructions

1. Select slide(s)/prompt(s) and project for students to see (if using the provided template).
2. Cover up a problem, visual, or question with multiple cover boxes (electronically or physically with sticky notes).
3. Remove one cover box at a time.
4. As each cover box is removed, students list what they see, synthesize ideas, and give a thumbs-up signal when they can make an inference about the big idea.
5. Continue removing one cover box at a time.
6. Students synthesize the uncovered clues and give a thumbs-up signal when they can identify the big idea.
7. Observe students’ thinking and clarify/verify as appropriate.

Classroom Management

• Rehearse the strategy with a common visual (e.g., a fast-food logo) before using it with academic content.
• Encourage students to create their own Undercover Agent activity with sticky notes and play the game with a partner.
• Remind students there will be no harm or humiliation for incorrect answers because correcting mistakes is a sign of intelligence!

Differentiation

• Promote access by pairing with a supportive peer, allowing students to preview associated visuals with a supportive peer/adult, and/or providing a word/idea bank to help with clues.

Think It Up!

• Have students think more deeply about the concept by responding to a Think It Up prompt as an exit ticket or journal entry:
  • Justify which clue was your spotlight and how it helped you the most.
  • Explain how you made connections with the clues that were revealed.
• Encourage students to use lead4ward’s Thinking Stems (English/Spanish) to frame their responses, if needed.