Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Junior Girl Scouts Badge: Detective

Step 1:  Practice the power of observation.  We played the Tray Game at our Christmas Party this year to satisfy this badge step.  I provided a detailed description of this game in my post titled Christmas Party 2014.  Additionally, our Brownies were working on their Senses badge.  To meet the requirements of one of their badge steps, we talked about Braille.  We discussed the ways blind people can be observant even though they can't see and how those ways are similar and different from observation skills used by people without impaired sight.  You can read more about that meeting here

Step 2:  Communicate in Code. 
As mentioned in Step 1 above, the Brownies in our troop were working on the Senses badge.  Visit this post to discover how we used the same activity to help our Brownies satisfy Step 5 of the Senses badge and our Juniors meet the requirements of Steps 1 and 2 for the Detective badge.

Step 3:  Fingerprint for Fun.  When we had a few minutes to spare during one of our meetings, I had the girls use a thumb to stamp a fingerprint on a 1.5" square piece of white cardstock.  I happen to have ink pads in a variety of colors, so the girls had a choice when making the print.  Once the cards were dry, the girls inspected each fingerprint, noticing that every fingerprint is unique.  I collected the squares to be used for a craft during our Self Esteem Workshop that is scheduled for March.  Please check back to read more about that meeting.

 

Step 4:  Try Out Detective Science.  I love to scrapbook.  Years ago, I was really into writing titles for my pages.  I purchased a book called Love Your Handwriting by Heidi Swapp.  When I read one of the choices to satisfy this badge step was to examine different handwriting samples, I dug that book out of the closet and searched for the perfect activity.  I modified one of Heidi's exercises, creating a worksheet for our girls.  They were asked to write the word trefoil in a variety of different ways.  Once everyone had finished, the girls exchanged papers.  They examined the similarities and differences in their handwriting.  




Step 5:  Follow the clues to solve a real mystery.  During our Christmas Party this year (December 2014), we had a mystery party.  We solved the "Who Stole the Cookies" (mini version) that we purchased from Merri Mysteries.  Check out this post to read all about our party.  

As a leader, I loved this badge.  I thought we could have easily completed more than one of the choices provided for each step in the listed as badge requirements.  Even after completing all five steps, I know our girls would be interested in continuing their work on this badge.  Maybe they will decide to do Detective badge, Part 2 next year?  I'm sure it won't be difficult to order a detective or mystery-related fun patch for their vests.  Thank you for reading!

55 comments:

  1. We are working on that badge tomorrow. Do you have a printable download available for the handwriting that you can share?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for contacting me. I emailed the file to you last night. Have fun with your girls today!

      Delete
    2. Hi Laurie...I love this idea. I found your blog today...is it possible to get a copy of u our habwrit in sampLe please...email is teachsaela@yahoo.com...thank uou

      Delete
  2. could you email me your hand writing page as well? Hskadahl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Could you please email me your handwriting page as well? mae_bae72@hotmail.com
    That would be great to include tomorrow night!
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi there-- can you please email me this handwriting page as well? Thank you! Meeting is coming up! ericaruff@hotmail.com
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Would you mind sharing your handwriting page with me as well? nsewell@knology.net
    Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Would you mind sharing your handwriting page with me as well? nsewell@knology.net
    Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi! Could you please send me the handwriting page via email too? Thanks in advance and thanks for the tips! ramirezannette@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Could you please email me the handwriting page too? Greatly appreciate the tips!. hac_wa@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi - I love your blog. Thanks for all the great ideas! Could you please email me the handwriting file - I'd love to use it for our junior detective badge. Thanks! juniorsmom1@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just tried to email the file to you. I received a mail delivery error message (the email address listed above was not recognized). In any case, I will try again soon. Thanks!

      Delete
  11. Sorry - my email should work now.
    juniorsmom1@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I emailed the file to you, but I received the same error message.

      Delete
  12. I would like a copy of the handwriting sheet if possible as well. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Karen. I would be happy to send you the handwriting sheet for the Detective badge. Would you please give me your email address? I visited your blog but didn't find any contact information. Thanks so much!

      Delete
  13. I love your ideas! Could I have a copy of the handwriting paper too please?
    tls4091@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. could you please email me the handwriting paper?! my girls would love this! thank you :) Melis101386@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Laurie - Could you please email me the handwriting sheet? We're working on the Detective badge this weekend. Thanks for sharing your great ideas!cmkrueger1@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Please email me the handwriting sheet if you can - love your blog. deanny@dyconcepts.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is great! Thank you! I'd also like a copy of the handwriting sheet if possible....kari.a.dickenson@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is awesome! Can you email me the handwriting sheet as well? igottadel@aol.com (thank you in advance!! great ideas!!)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Could you please email me the handwriting sheet also---I appreciate it. cathee.bruinsma@k12.sd.us

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a fantastic worksheet! Could you email me a copy of the file as well? dawnuwlax@yahoo.com
    Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi, Your handwriting sheet is a really cool idea, could I also have a copy of it for my Junior troop? My email is dionnepwiggins@gmail.com

    Thank You!

    ReplyDelete
  22. You have such great ideas! any chance you still have the handwriting file available to email? If so, would you mind sending it to kimi @ bluestraw . com Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kim. You should find the file in your inbox. Have a fun year with your girls!

      Delete
  23. Hi, thank you for great ideas! Could you please email me the handwriting file? I'd love to use at our meeting next week. Thanks! tammy@nanradio.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Can you please email me the handwriting file too. My email is jwilliams33@bellsouth.net. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would love the handwriting file! jendrop99@hotmail.com
    Thanks so much for the great ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Could you also send me the handwriting file? RNCassie@gmail.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas. Could you please send me the handwriting file? jfk8676@yahoo.com

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Would you be willing to email the handwritting file to me
    Amunstis@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Would you be willing to email the handwritting file to me
    Amunstis@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. We are working on that badge. Do you have a printable download available for the handwriting that you can share?
    gabbyrojas818@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi! We are working on the Detective badge and love your ideas! Could you share the handwriting file with us? Thank you! canbria@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I would love anything that you can email me with this badge!! I run an event every couple of years and looking to change things up this year!!
    My email is ames802@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love all your ideas!!! Any chance you could email me the handwriting page as well? my email is bluethompson@gmail.com THANK YOU!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Great breakdown of the badge! Could you email me the handwriting sheet? Thanks juliefuqua79@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks for the inspiriting ideas! I'd love to use your handwriting sheet if you could please email it to me? Thank you - caroltshops@mac.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thank u Laurie for sharing your ideas. I too was reaching out in hopes to receive a copy of your Handwriting sheet. Thank u Luisa. luisa121874@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Laurie - thank you for posting! Could I get a copy of your handwriting sheet? Thank you! sws194@gmail.com - Susan

    ReplyDelete
  38. Getting started for the year with my group of juniors and doing the Detective badge. I would be interested in your handwriting sheet as well. ann.henkhaus@gmail.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Getting started for the year with my group of juniors and doing the Detective badge. I would be interested in your handwriting sheet as well. ann.henkhaus@gmail.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi! If you are still checking this blog, I would love the handwriting worksheet.

    federerfamily@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Jerri! I just sent you the file you requested. Have fun with your girls!

      Delete
  41. Teachsaela@yahoo.com...hi Laurie. May o have a copy of the handwriting?...thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing your file...It was a hit!!! :)

      Delete
    2. I'm so happy to hear this! Thanks for sharing. You made my week!

      Delete
  42. Great ideas! May I have a copy of the handwriting worksheet? Thank you! rmholt74@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Do you happen to still have a downloadable handwriting sheet available? Working on this badge with my juniors Monday!! Thanks in advance! aquariusmediapro@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. These are some neat ideas for the Detectives badge and I love how you tied them into Brownie Senses badge. Currently, I am covering both the juniors and brownies in my troop so anything that can be done with both is a big PLUS in my book! Could you send me the handwriting sheet? claudia.gs86@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Idk if it’s possible, but I would love to get this handwriting sheet? Could you send it to sgrundman14@gmail.com?

    ReplyDelete
  46. Any chance years later I can get the handwriting activity too? :)
    adw7374@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete