Title – Murder Mystery Game
By – Dawn Pawlowski
Primary Subject – Language Arts
Grade Level – 9-12

Objectives:

Students will…

(1) explain the process of elimination,

(2) demonstrate prediction skills, and

(3) show evidence of comprehension.

Background:
The Murder Mystery Game is the culminating activity after reading Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None . Throughout the book, students are trying to figure out, “Who done it?” Teacher works on building the students’ skills in (1) process of elimination and (2) prediction.

Materials Needed: (1) Classroom set of And Then There Were None , (2) Clue Board Game, (3) 4×6 unlined white index cards — location, weapon, and suspect cards, (4) digital camera, (5) detective sheet, (6) writing utensils, (7) 3×5 index cards – question cards and (8) duct tape

Anticipatory Set:
Play Clue board game to have students learn/practice the process of elimination

Set-Up:

The teacher is going to fake his/her own murder.

(1)  Create a list of suspects (fellow co-workers), locations, and weapons. BE CREATIVE, but use suspects, locations, and weapons that can be found within the school. Was it done in the library with a school lunch by the principal? Or was it done on the 50 yard line with a dodge ball by the janitor? Limit the suspect, location, and weapons list to no more than 10 in each category

(2)  Using a digital camera, take pictures of all of the suspects, locations, and weapons. Print the pictures on the 4×6 index cards – 2 sets. Display one set of murder mystery cards for students to see.

(3)  Give second set of cards to co-workers. Just remember, one suspect, one weapon, and one location card should not be given out — those are the answers. Put those cards in a safe place.

(4)  Give your co-workers a question card. In order for a student to see a murder mystery card, they must correctly answer a question card related to

And Then There Were None

.

(5)  Create a detective sheet for the students; model detective sheet after the one found in Clue board game.

(6)  Using duct tape, have a co-worker outline your body on the floor. If possible, see if you can get “Police — Do Not Cross” tape to put around the crime scene.

Step-By-Step Tasks:
(1)  Hand out the detective sheets to the students. Explain how the murder mystery game will work.
(2)  During the school day students will go to other teachers and ask for a question. When they get the answer correct, then they can see the murder mystery card. As students see murder mystery cards, they will chart them on their detective sheet. Using the process of elimination, they will figure out who done it, with what, and where because the answer will be the only one NOT checked off in each section. (Just like Clue the board game).
(3)  The first student who returns his/her detective sheet will be the winner. A prize could be given out; in the past I have given students their very own Clue board game.

SUSPECTS: Teachers be sure to substitute your own teachers and locations for the following:

Name: _______________________ Period: ______

Miss P. Murder Mystery

DIRECTIONS: Go up to various staff members and ask for a clue. The staff member will give you a question about And Then There Were None . If you answer the question correctly, you will be shown a clue card. If you answer the question incorrectly, they will give you a hint. When you see a clue card, cross that suspect, weapon, or location off your list. Like the board game Clue , you will find out the suspect, weapon, and location by process of elimination (the last one left in each section). When you are done, write down the answers and turn this sheet in to Miss P. The first student from the A-4 and B-2 class will win a prize. Good Luck!!!

E-Mail Dawn Pawlowski !