Curated OER
Identifying Clues to Help Solve a Mystery
Students investigate clues in mystery novels. In this genre study lesson, students read the book Sammy Keyes and The Hotel Thief and use the 5 W's to answer questions about the mystery. Students draw conclusions using the details from...
Curated OER
Mysterious Plot Problems
Your readers explore plot patterns in mysteries by identifying problems first in Two-Minute Mysteries by Donald J. Sobol and then in The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. To gain access to the worksheets, graphic organizers and riddles...
Curated OER
Regarding the Fountain: Questioning Strategy—Cubing
Look deeper into the text with a reading strategy based on asking critical thinking questions. While reading Reading the Fountain by Kate Klise, learners think of questions that help them describe, compare, associate, analyze, apply, and...
Curated OER
Learning About Fiction Genres in the Elementary School Library
Teaching about fiction genres can be challenging. The lesson here, designed for library media specialists, offers a fun way to do it. In the lesson, learners visit the library and learn about the different types of fiction through book...
Avi Writer
The Cross of Lead, At the Edge of the World, and The End of Time
A fan of Ari's Crispin trilogy? Here is a packet that contains study guides for all three Crispin novels: The Cross of Lead, At the Edge of the World, and The End of Time.
Curated OER
Buried in Ice: The Mystery of a Lost Arctic Expedition
Students read a novel about a lost arctic expedition by Sir John Franklin. In groups, they discuss the author's quest to determine what happened to Franklin and his crew. Using the internet, they compare and contrast the expeditions by...
Curated OER
Mystery of the Real Robinson Crusoe Solved
Learners explore the location of the campsite of fictional character Robinson Crusoe. In this ESL lesson, students read an article that discusses the whereabouts of Robinson Crusoe's campsite, then have a class discussion on the...
Curated OER
Hoot, the Movie And Classroom Activities Too
Students complete various activities for the book and movie "Hoot." They read and analyze the novel, observe wildlife in their neighborhood, and compare/contrast Henry David Thoreau with a main character in the book.
Curated OER
Ecology Integration Using IMovie
Amazing! Any 5th grader would be more than willing to participate in this project. Students are broken into groups, each group reads one book from a list of five. They use their book as the basis for choosing an animal and environment to...
Curated OER
Finding Problems In A Story
Students categorize information into a problem/solving chart and examine the value of using a diary. In this problem solving and diary activity, students read portions of Dear Mr. Henshaw, while they investigate the importance of keeping...
Curated OER
Fictional Narrative Writing in Mathematics
Fifth graders discuss variety of fictional writing genres and connect each to familiar story that has been read, use creative and analytical skills to develop original piece of fictional writing that incorporates math skill, and share...
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: Cracked Teaching Guide [Pdf]
Cracked by Canadian author Michele Martin Bossley is a mystery novel for ages 9-12. The story centers on the bobsled competition at the World Cup. This teacher's guide includes a book summary and ideas for discussions and learning...
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: 'Marked' Teaching Guide [Pdf]
In 'Marked' by Canadian author Norah McClintock, Colin has a job cleaning up graffiti in a well-to-do neighborhood. He becomes a suspect in a rash of robberies and must solve the mystery himself. This teacher's guide includes a book...
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: Bio Pirate Teaching Guide [Pdf]
Bio-Pirate, a novel by Michele Martin Bossley, is a science mystery about medical research materials that go missing. This teacher's guide includes a book summary, extensive teaching ideas and a short profile of the author.
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: Things Are Looking Up, Jack Teaching Guide [Pdf]
Things are Looking Up, Jack. a novel by Dan Bar-el, follows the adventures of King Jack and his sister, Princess Jill, as they meet characters from the Grimm Brothers fairy tales and try to solve a mystery. This teacher's guide includes...
Schools of California Online Resources for Education
Literature Unit: The House of Dies Drear
"The House of Dies Drear," is a powerful novel by Virginia Hamilton.