Difference Detectives - Activity Instructions

Tune In

The final page of ‘Little Miss Jessica Goes to School’ concludes with Jessica stating: “I learnt that it’s ok to be different.” As a group, tune in to some of the ways each child is different to their peers via a ‘Partner Turn and Talk’ session.

This may be the first time children are introduced to this ‘classroom strategy’, and they may initially need some assistance in finding their partners. It’s a great idea to model this process of speaking and listening to the group, as well as when to return attention back to the front.

“Let’s look at some of the ways we are different from each other. Can you look at the person next to you and think of one way you are different to them? Tell your partner what is different and then listen when they tell you something else that might be different”

Once children have had the opportunity to look at their peers and identify differences, ask children to share their findings with the group. Children may find differences in hair colour, eye colour, freckle placement, missing teeth, hairstyle, clothes, skin tone, etc.

Find Out

Extend on the idea of finding differences amongst the group by playing an altered version of ‘Musical Statues’, where children need to be ‘Differences Detectives’ as they look and ask questions to find partners with characteristics or likes that are different from themselves.

Play some music that will get the children moving and grooving. Each time the music stops, children will be prompted to find a partner who is ‘different’ to them in a specific way.

“When the music plays, dance and move your body. When the music stops, I will ask you to find a partner who is different to you in some way. For example, I might ask you to find a partner that has different coloured hair to you.”

Play a couple of rounds that look for visual differences, for example

different colour hair
different colour eyes
wearing different clothes
is a different height.

Then introduce some differences that will require children to speak to each other to find differences that cannot be seen, such as

has a different favourite colour
had something different to you in their lunchbox
has a different favourite animal
is really good at something different to you
finds something really tricky, that you find easy

Take Action

Following the game of “Difference Detectives” let’s record our findings using the Difference Detectives Worksheet. This could be done

with a child and an educator working together, recalling who the child interacted with in the game
with two children supported by an educator and practising their listening and speaking skills in a one-on-one interaction
in small groups, where students can draw, and practice their speaking and listening skills, while educators float around the room and support reading and writing.

Once completed, Difference Detectives sheets may be collated in a class share book. Having these available for families to look at upon arrival for pick up/drop off can invite discussion about the recognition and celebration of differences among us to extend to the home.

Difference Detectives

Activity Summary

Activity Type

Target Age

Activity Guides and Printables

Activity Details

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Curriculum Mapping

Resources Required