Upside-Down & Backwards: A Backwards Day Lab for Kids

Upside-Down & Backwards Lab

Welcome to the Upside-Down & Backwards Lab! Today, we're celebrating National Backwards Day by exploring opposites, mirror writing, and reversals in nature. This fun and engaging lab is designed for elementary-aged children and will help them learn about the fascinating world of opposites and reversals.

Objective

By the end of this lab, students will:

• Understand the concept of opposites.

• Practice writing words and sentences backwards.

• Explore examples of reversals in nature.

Materials Needed

• Mirror

• Paper and pencils

• Markers or crayons

• Printed images of animals with symmetrical patterns

• Simple examples of palindromes (e.g., "madam", "racecar")

• Optional: Access to a computer or tablet for digital mirror writing

Activity 1: Opposites Exploration

Instructions

1. Discuss Opposites: Begin with a discussion about opposites. Ask the students for examples, such as hot/cold, big/small, and fast/slow. Write these on a board or large sheet of paper.

2. Opposites Game: Play a quick game where you say a word and the students shout out the opposite. For example:

   • Teacher: "Day!"

   • Students: "Night!"

3. Draw Opposites: Give each student a piece of paper and ask them to draw a pair of opposites. For example, one side of the paper could have a drawing of the sun, and the other side a moon.

Activity 2: Mirror Writing

Instructions

1. Introduction to Mirror Writing: Explain that mirror writing is when words are written backwards. Show how words look when you hold them up to a mirror.

2. Practice Mirror Writing:

   • Provide each student with a piece of paper and a pencil.

   • Ask them to write their name normally.

   • Then, ask them to write their name backwards.

   • Use the mirror to see how their mirrored name looks like their normal name.

3. Creative Mirror Writing: Encourage students to write simple sentences backwards. For example, "I love cats" becomes "stac evol I." Use the mirror to read them correctly.

   
   

Activity 3: Nature Reversals

Instructions

1. Explore Symmetry in Nature: Show students printed images of animals with symmetrical patterns, such as butterflies and ladybugs. Discuss how each side is a mirror image of the other.

2. Draw Symmetrical Animals: Ask students to draw their favorite animal and try to make each side of their drawing symmetrical, like a mirror image.

3. Discuss Palindromes: Introduce the concept of palindromes—words that read the same forwards and backwards. Provide examples such as "madam" and "racecar" and let students try to come up with their own examples.

Conclusion

Gather the students and ask them to share their drawings and favorite parts of the lab. Discuss what they learned about opposites, mirror writing, and reversals in nature. Encourage them to think about other examples of reversals or opposites they might encounter in their everyday lives.

Remember: Learning about opposites and reversals can be a fun way to explore the world around us! Celebrate National Backwards Day by looking at things from a different perspective.