# Find the Alphabet

Pairs or solo participants list the letters A to Z and search their immediate environment to record one visible object for as many letters as possible. The group compares discoveries and notes creative vocabulary choices.

**Time:** 15 minutes. Based on the 10 to 20 minute window documented in ESL Active source records, set to 15 minutes for standard workshop delivery.
**People:** 2 to 24. Pairs or solo work, followed by whole-room call-out

## Choose this exercise

**Purpose:** Scan the immediate physical environment systematically to generate vocabulary items tied to concrete observations.
**Use it when:** Use as a brisk observational warmer or vocabulary practice activity in in-person or remote workshops where participants need a quick break from sitting.
**Skip it when:** Skip when the meeting room lacks visual variety or when physical movement around the space would cause disruption or safety hazards.

## Materials and tools

- One blank sheet of paper per pair or solo participant
- One pen or pencil per pair or solo participant
- Timer or stopwatch for the facilitator

## Before participants arrive

1. Confirm participants can safely look around or move around the designated room boundaries.
2. Place paper and pens at each pair's table or station.

## Say this to open

We are doing a quick observational game called Find the Alphabet. You will work solo or in pairs. Your job is to list letters from A to Z on paper, then look around this room to find a visible object for as many letters as you can. For example, B could be 'backpack' and C could be 'clock'. You do not have to find every single letter to play.

## How to run it

### 1. Set up letter lists (3 minutes)

Explain the task and boundaries. Direct participants to partner up or choose to work solo. If there is an odd number, form one trio. Have each group write the letters A through Z down their page in two columns, leaving space beside each letter to write an object name.

### 2. Search and record objects (7 minutes)

Start the 7-minute timer. Participants scan the room without disturbing closed storage or touching other people's personal belongings without consent. For each letter, they record one visible item that starts with that letter. Participants stay within the room. When time is called, pencils go down.

### 3. Call out and verify (3 minutes)

Call out difficult or interesting letters such as J, Q, X, and Z. Ask two or three groups to share their finds for those letters. If someone used a descriptive phrase, accept it if the core noun starts with the letter (for example, 'zipper' on a jacket).

### 4. Debrief (2 minutes)

Lead a brief whole-group check-in on observation habits using the debrief questions. Invite 2 to 3 voluntary comments from the room.


## Debrief questions

- Which letters forced you to look at everyday items from a different angle?
- What did you notice about the room that you had overlooked before this exercise?

**Finished output:** A completed or partially completed A to Z list of visible objects per pair.

## Remote

Run individually at home desks or in small breakout rooms of two. Participants scan their home office or immediate room, recording items on their own paper or in a shared text document. During debrief, participants type their answers for rare letters into the chat.

## Hybrid

In-person pairs scan the physical room while remote participants scan their individual locations. In the sharing phase, alternate call-outs between an in-person pair and a remote participant sharing via webcam or chat.

## Access and participation choices

- Participants may remain seated and scan only what is visible from their chair, or use a phone camera zoom.
- Working solo, passing on sharing, or skipping letters is fully permitted without explanation.

## If the session gets stuck

**Participants struggle with tough letters like X or Q.**

Remind everyone that completing all 26 letters is not required. Allow phonetic matches or words containing the letter if the group agrees.

**Participants wander into private staff areas or touch others' personal items.**

Clarify room boundaries before the search starts. State explicitly that searches are visual only and desks must not be rummaged through.


## Sources and adaptation

Observed in ESL Active (eslactive.com/activities/find-the-alphabet) as an ESL vocabulary warmer.

Retained the core mechanic from ESL Active: listing the alphabet and writing down room objects starting with each letter. UWT added explicit step timing, boundaries, access modifications for seated participants, and structured hybrid delivery instructions.

[ESL Active](https://eslactive.com/activities/find-the-alphabet/)

Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/find-the-alphabet/