Mystery Project - "Sparks-like Notes"

In reading, the students will be reading several novels from the mystery genre.  The students will be working in small groups of three or four students.  Each night, the students will read the text with the goal of creating a "Sparks" like note booklet.  An example of a "Sparks" booklet for the Giver can found by clicking here.   Each day, the students will work to create this booklet on our wiki. 

The mystery project will be divided into four parts. The students will be writing chapter retells, explaining the big ideas about the theme, sharing important quotes, and identifying clues needed to solve the mystery.  In addition to the nightly reading, each student will be responsible for adding to their groups wiki pages.  There are four roles writing content, accuracy reviewing, editing written work, and publishing/final approval.  Each day, the students will write their content and review/edit/publish the work already created for their booklet.

Each project group will have their own folder on the wiki to save the files needed for this project.  Students can access the wiki from home or use the computer lab time in school to work on the project. 

Mystery Project - "Sparks-like Notes"

Project Development Groups

• Group 1 - Novel: Dollhouse Murders
  • Austin, Bailee, Jessica, Morgan
• Group 2 - Novel: House of Dies Drear
  • Angie, Maddi, Jocelyn, Krista
• Group 3 - Novel: Ghost of Ernie P.
  • Kaleb, Paige, Olivia, Ethan
• Group 4 - Novel: The Name of the Game Was Murder
  • Mason, Aaron, Brock, Jarrett
• Group 5 - Novel: The Face in the Bessledorf Funeral Parlor
  • Tyler, Brooke, Connor, Blake

Tasks

• Chapter Retell &  Analysis: Write a chapter retelling and provide a detailed interpretation.
• Theme: Write about the "big ideas" found in your novel.
• Important Quotes &  Explanation:  Identify and explain the importance of key quotes.
• Key Clue/Events Needed to Solve the Mystery: List the important clues, events, and red herring found in your mystery novel.  Explain.                                                                                                                                                                                                     

• Essay Questions &  Well Written Responses:  Create the final test essay questions and provide a sample answer.

Timeline

Each day, the students will be responsible to read a chapter of their mystery book.  While reading their chapter, they will take notes/collect information about their task. (see above)  The tasks rotate each day.  Using the wiki, they will enter part of the study guide.  This can be done at home or in the classroom/lab.  For example, on Day 1, student 3 will write the quotes section for that chapter.  Student 3 will also be responsible for fact checking the clues section, editing the retell section, and giving final approval to publish the theme section.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Tasks/Milestones