The+Value+of+Words

There is value in the connection to literature. We place value in literacy. Punctuation and syntax are the place value of language. The letters of the alphabet are the place value for alphabetizing. Letter sounds are the place value for decoding.

Links for booklists http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=11307 http://www.firstclues.com/ http://www.geocities.com/sseagraves/mysterybooksforchildren.htm

Links for lesson plans and graphic organizers http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=660 **pdf reproducibles on this page** http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=865 **reproducibles on this page** [|calendar.pdf] [|puzzle.pdf] [|solve-it.pdf] http://kids.mysterynet.com/

Critical Thinking Assessment After teaching the mystery genre, present children with a grade appropriate short mystery story. Children in pairs will solve the mystery. The following must be included in the written solution (non-writers can draw or orally present their solution) Follow-up
 * Student detectives solve the mystery**
 * Who do you think committed the crime?
 * What clues led you to this conclusion?
 * Why did these clues lead you to this conclusion?
 * As you solve the mystery and answer the above questions, be sure to include detective (mystery) vocabulary.
 * Students frame investigative interview questions usable with any mystery**

Critical Thinking Assessment
 * Students design a writing checklist for composing a mystery**

Critical Thinking Assessment
 * Students publish a mystery incorporating all of the elements explored during their investigation of the genre**

Story Structure • Beginning: (introduction) meet characters, statement of problem • Middle: (body of the story) events, clues, investigation • End: (conclusion) solve problem
 * Checklists**

K-1 writing/oral telling checklist Include the following elements: • Characters • Setting • Events

2-3 writing checklist Include the following elements: • Characters • Suspects: who could have caused the problem? • Detective: who investigates and solves the problem? • Setting: where did this story take place? • Problem: what is the crime, mystery, puzzle or secret? • Clues: what is the information that leads to the solution? • Solution: who did it and why?

4-5 writing checklist Include the following elements: • Characters: • Suspects: who could have caused the problem? • Detective: who investigates and solves the problem? • Setting: where did this story take place? • Problem: what is the crime, mystery, puzzle or secret? • Clues: what is the information that leads to the solution? • Distractions (Red Herrings): what are the elements or clues that lead the investigator off the path? • Solution: who did it and why?