Estimated time: 5 minutes
Students are asked to write their names while looking in a mirror, so that the writing appears the right way in the mirror. This activity should have a time factor. This activity simulates visual perception problems such as dyslexia and visual-motor processing problems where the brain sends a message and the hands don’t cooperate.
What you will need:
•A mirror box for each student
•A short (golf) pencil and paper
Sample script:
(Demonstrate to the children how to set up their mirror box. Put a piece of paper down for each one. You can use the back of another activity.)
I want you to write your name so that it appears the right way in the mirror. You will have about two minutes. You will have to sit up straight so you look over the top of the cardboard and into the mirror.
(Volunteers help students get started. Make sure they are looking in the mirror and not directly at the paper. As they do the activity, ask students to tell you how they are feeling and write words on the board for discussion after. Hurry them a bit; tell them this might be an exam or that perhaps their friends are waiting for them. After they write their name try their last name and the number 5. End the activity when time is up.)
There are students who have difficulties like this when they write. Does anyone know what this might be called? This is a visual-motor processing problem. Can you imagine having this problem all the time? That would be very frustrating.
Does this have anything to do with being smart? (Discuss famous people who are dyslexic: Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, etc., etc.)
How to Build
a Mirror Box
Mirror Box.pdf