Decoding Backwards Secret Messages

How we did it:
Materials List
- paper
- writing utensil
- mirror
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I didn't even know I could write backwards. I practiced each message first on a piece of scrap paper, then copied it onto the larger piece, slowly and carefully to make this instant super secret message.
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You can use this activity to share fun messages like "I love you" or "Let's go for a bike ride". Or, as a fun way to convey a surprise, like "I made cookies for you" or "We're going to the beach". I'm even thinking this would be a great way to practice new sight words for an emerging reader.
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As I gave each child a couple of messages, they studied the backwards writing. My son was able to read a few of the words backwards. I asked him, "How could we decode the rest of the message?" "What could we look in?" A-ha! The mirror!
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My daughter didn't want to wait for her turn with the mirror her brother was using and ran to the mirror in the bathroom to decode one of her messages.
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It was fun playing super secret detectives today!