I Spy

The I Spy project was introduced and gone over extensively in class today. Here are the guidelines, so that you may help your child.

Each student is to create an I Spy scene based on their book from the reading list. I should be able to figure out which book you read by seeing your display! We discussed this thoroughly in class today!


Some ideas: try a dollhouse, a windowsill, a city you've made out of blocks, a chalkboard, or a diorama. Or, you can simply scatter objects on a plain surface (or a not-so-plain surface!).

After creating the scene, they are to photograph it. Note that your photograph will come out better if you place your picture riddle in good light, such as outside in the sunlight or near a window that has sunlight shining through. Print an 8 x 10 copy of it on photo paper. If you do not have a digital camera, bring your display to school and I can photograph it for you. I will send it to Walgreens.com and you can pick it up from them. The cost is $3.99 for an 8 x 10. If you need me to photograph it for you, you will need to bring your display in by October 21.


Once you have created a picture, you need to write a rhyming riddle to go with it. Here is what a traditional I SPY riddle looks like (from I SPY Treasure Hunt):

Line 1: I spy a dime, two dolphins, a tub,
Line 2: Ten bowling pins, and a little golf club;
Line 3: Two fishing poles, a leaning mousetrap,
Line 4: A snowflake, a crab, two bats, and a map.

There should be four beats to a line, and every two lines should rhyme. You should be able to sing the riddle to an old-fashioned song called Sweet Betsy from Pike.

Here are some more hints to writing a successful riddle:
• Plan ahead by including objects that rhyme in your picture.
• Use a rhyming dictionary. This will help you pick the best rhyming objects for your picture.
• Follow the natural rhythm of the words. Try not to force the rhythm. If you need to, you can add a descriptive word to help with the rhythm: I spy a blue magnet, a monkey, a mouse . . .
• Read, revise, rewrite!
• When you think you are done, check your spelling and punctuation very carefully.