I really love introducing my students to new author, character, and genre studies. So far this year we have enjoyed Kevin Henkes, Henry and Mudge, Amber Brown, Amelia Bedelia, Frog and Toad, and so many more. Now that we are in the 2nd semester we are getting into more chapter book studies rather than picture books. Of course we will keep reading picture books, but more for mini-lessons and for enjoyment.
Anyways… Each year I spend 2 weeks on our mystery unit. This past week we read Cam Jansen and The Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds as a class. My grade level has a class set, so it’s perfect for this unit!! As we were reading our first mystery book, I was modeling how to stop and check for/discuss clues, suspects, detectives, witnesses, evidence, etc BECAUSE during the 2nd week of our mystery unit my students do this with a small group. So, I want them to be fully prepared to do this cooperatively while I facilitate!
Here is the project that we completed after reading our mystery chapter book. My students drew a scene from the book, organized the parts of the mystery, and summarized the book.
Now that we have spent a week doing this together, my students will spend the next week doing something similar in their reading groups. I put about 3-4 students together into detective clubs. Each detective club gets a mystery book (on their level), a case file to fill out while reading the book (this has space for them to write about the clues, suspects, crime, solution, etc.), and detective badges. On Tuesday, my students will break into their groups and begin working together to crack the mystery!!
I’m seriously excited to pass these out!!
You may be wondering how I get enough mystery books… well, my school has a guided reading library. We have lots of books to choose from! I just go and grab all of the mystery sets and use what I need to fill up the case files! If you don’t have access to leveled books like this, or enough of them, you could also have your kiddos check out mysteries from the library, email your fellow teachers and ask to borrow any Cam Jansen, A-Z Mysteries, Nate the Great books, etc. I also have friends that use the same mystery book for each student and that works also!
With 2 classes, I have lots of groups to set up!! It’s totally worth it because my kiddos LOVE reading mysteries! They will be checking mystery books out from the library for the next several weeks because it perks their interest every time!!!
All of the things above are in my Mystery Mini-Unit! If you have purchased this before go and download it again… I just gave it a facelift and added a few activities to it!
Hi, I'm Amy
Hey, y’all! My name is Amy Lemons and I am passionate about providing students with both engaging and effective standards-based Math and ELA lessons.
This looks amazing, fun and engaging. Thank you for sharing and inspiring! Do you have other books study mini-units, like the ones you mentioned? I only saw your Henry & Mudge one.
Mysteries always spark interest and surprise. Thanks for sharing. Smiles and stop by anytime!
Amy, I bought your case file booklets and used them with my third graders at the beginning of this year. They were so excited about it. I'm going to pin this post so I can add the fun extras that you used next year. Thanks for the amazing resource! My students recognize your name whenever we use your products. 🙂 Blessings to you and your family.
This looks amazing!!!
Amy, I love all of your lessons! I've also fallen in love with your family's story. I teach second grade in Ky. I'm looking for a second grade class with distinctly different geographical characteristics to do a “Mystery Geography” Skype lesson with my class. Would you be interested in allowing your class to participate? If so, please contact me via email at angie. [email protected]
Amy, I love all of your lessons! I've also fallen in love with your family's story. I teach second grade in Ky. I'm looking for a second grade class with distinctly different geographical characteristics to do a “Mystery Geography” Skype lesson with my class. Would you be interested in allowing your class to participate? If so, please contact me via email at angie. [email protected]
Thank you for the great ideas of your detective unit. I love your bulletin board ideas! I have also done a post about Mystery Book Clubs on my blog http://www.doreensrockin3rdgrade.com. Come and visit and maybe share links.
9 Responses
An amazing resource!!!!
Bridget
Literacy Without Worksheets
This looks like so much fun!! I'm sure your kids will love it!!
Mrs. 3rd Grade
This looks amazing, fun and engaging. Thank you for sharing and inspiring! Do you have other books study mini-units, like the ones you mentioned? I only saw your Henry & Mudge one.
Mysteries always spark interest and surprise. Thanks for sharing. Smiles and stop by anytime!
Amy, I bought your case file booklets and used them with my third graders at the beginning of this year. They were so excited about it. I'm going to pin this post so I can add the fun extras that you used next year. Thanks for the amazing resource! My students recognize your name whenever we use your products. 🙂 Blessings to you and your family.
This looks amazing!!!
Amy, I love all of your lessons! I've also fallen in love with your family's story. I teach second grade in Ky. I'm looking for a second grade class with distinctly different geographical characteristics to do a “Mystery Geography” Skype lesson with my class. Would you be interested in allowing your class to participate? If so, please contact me via email at angie. [email protected]
Amy, I love all of your lessons! I've also fallen in love with your family's story. I teach second grade in Ky. I'm looking for a second grade class with distinctly different geographical characteristics to do a “Mystery Geography” Skype lesson with my class. Would you be interested in allowing your class to participate? If so, please contact me via email at angie. [email protected]
Thank you for the great ideas of your detective unit. I love your bulletin board ideas! I have also done a post about Mystery Book Clubs on my blog http://www.doreensrockin3rdgrade.com. Come and visit and maybe share links.