What's the Mystery?

This week we began mystery book clubs. Students voted on their top three books and were then placed in reading groups. At the first meeting, students decided on how much was a reasonable amount to read each night. Then, in class they were able to discuss and create a chart to monitor the suspects and clues. They held each other accountable for their reading.

Students have done an amazing job collaborating with their peers. They have had very productive talks with their group members. The students discuss vocabulary words as well.  We taught common words you use in a mystery book.

Alibi: An excuse that an accused person uses to show that he or she was not at
the scene of the crime
Breakthrough: A discovery that helps solve the crime
Clue: A fact or object that gives information toward solving the crime
Crime: An action that breaks the law
Deduction: Drawing a conclusion
Detective: An investigator looking for and gathering clues
Evidence: A thing or statement that helps to prove who committed the crime
Hunch: A guess or feeling not based on facts
Motive: A reason that a person does something — can include anger, hatred, love,
or greed
Mystery: Something that is unknown
Red herring: A false clue that throws the investigator off track
Sleuth: An investigator
Suspect: Person who has a motive to have committed a crime
Witness: Person who has knowledge about a crime

Everyone in class is so excited to keep reading on to solve the crimes in our books! Keep being dedicated students and good luck solving the crimes.