P2PU | Getting Started with a Mystery Skype Partner

Running a Mystery Skype Session

Three ways to play

Mystery Skype rules vary from classroom to classroom. It is useful to talk to the other teacher about the way you play Mystery Skype before your call so you can agree on a set of common rules.

1. Twenty questions Recommended for beginners and younger age groups

Students in each class prepare a set of 20 questions and 5-10 clues for the other class before their call. The classes try to guess each other’s location by answering the questions and using additional clues for a little extra help. This can work well for your first Mystery Skype lesson and is a good way to improve your students’ knowledge of where they live.

2. Yes or no answers  Recommended for more experienced classes

Classes are only allowed to ask each other questions which will get a yes or no answer. The number of questions may be limited to 20 if you want an additional challenge. These lessons can be more spontaneous and require students to think on their feet as the questions aren’t prepared in advance.

3. Mystery Skype jobs Recommended for experienced classes

Some teachers have found that when students have specific responsibilities during a Mystery Skype lesson they work better as a team and the whole class becomes more engaged.

These roles can include greeters, question keepers, Bing mappers, runners, bloggers, photographers, live tweeters, reporters, and anything else that works for your class.

After the game: Each class can share facts and information about their home country and/or city.

Mystery Skype Teams – give everyone a job! • Greeters – say hello and tell something about the class without giving away location • Inquirers – ask the questions • Question Keepers – keep track of the questions and answers • Mappers – use atlas, Google maps, etc. to zero in on the clues • Digital Photographer/Videographer – captures the call with a digital and/or video camera

Possible Mystery Skype Questions:

Is your continent in the Eastern/Western Hemisphere?
Is your continent in the Northern/Southern Hemisphere?
Is your continent near the Atlantic/Pacific/Indian/Arctic Ocean?
Is your continent N. America/S. America/Africa/Europe/Asia/Australia/Antarctica?
Is it a big/small country?
Do you speak English as a first language?
Is it very hot in summer and cold in winter?
Is it north/south/east/west of………..?
Does your country border another country?
Are there mountains in your country?
Does your country have a coastline?
Is ………………….the capital of your country?
Does your state/province border?
Is your country/state/province north/south/east/west of?
Is your city in the north/south/east/west of your country/state/province?
Is your city the capital of your country/state/province?