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This murder mystery game is a novel way to quiz students on an Agatha Christie book
Subject:
Language Arts
Grades:
9, 10, 11, 12
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!!!
Suspects: |
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Mr. Bill |
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Mr. Bodner |
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Chef Paul |
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Ms. Donna |
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Mr. Gaston |
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Mr. Glover |
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Mr. Pierce |
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Mr. Russ |
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Mr. Sprengel |
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Ms. Z. |
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Weapons |
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Chair |
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Computer |
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Fire Extinguisher |
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Knife |
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Red Pen |
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School Lunch |
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Scissors |
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Locations |
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Academic Hall |
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Bathroom |
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CIBS |
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Clinical Office |
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Computer Lab |
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Kitchen |
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Principal’s Office |
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Room 4 |
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Self Contained |
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Wood Shop |
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Question Cards
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: How many people were on the island? ANSWER: 10 HINT: Page 40 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: What is the name of the poem? ANSWER: “Ten Little Indians” HINT: Page 31 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: What is the name of the island? ANSWER: Indian Island HINT: Page 1 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: Who wrote And Then There Were None ? ANSWER: Agatha Christie HINT: Cover of book |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: What is the name of a movie that is based on a board game? ANSWER: Clue HINT: We watched the movie last week and played the game in class. |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: Which guest was behind all of the murders and used the AKA Mr. Owen? ANSWER: Justice Lawrence Wargrave HINT: Page 275 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: What did Justice Wargrave put his written confession in, which told the police that he was behind all of the murders? ANSWER: Message in a bottle HINT: Page 261 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: How do the murders relate to the poem, “Ten Little Indians?” ANSWER: People in the book died the same way the Indians died in the poem HINT: Poem hanging in Miss P.’s room and hallway |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: Who invited all of the guests to Indian Island? ANSWER: Mr. U.N. Owen HINT: Page 23 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: How does Mr. Owen announce everyone’s secret at the first dinner? ANSWER: Gramophone HINT: Page 45 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: Name 3 characters stuck on the island. ANSWER: Vera Claythorne, Emily Brent, Mr. Rogers, Mrs. Rogers, Justice Wargrave, Philip Lombard, Dr. Armstrong, Mr. Blore, Anthony Martson, and General Macarthur. (Any 3) |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: What is the name of Vera Claythorne’s ex-boyfriend? ANSWER: Hugo HINT: Page 245 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: Which guest was a cop (detective)? ANSWER: Mr. Blore HINT: Page 55 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: What are the names of the 2 housekeepers? ANSWER: Mr. and Mrs. Rogers HINT: Page 29 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: What is the name of the judge? ANSWER: Justice Wargrave HINT: Page 2 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: Who is the adventurer that killed 21 natives? ANSWER: Philip Lombard HINT: Page 68 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: Who is the first guest to die on the island? ANSWER: Anthony Martson HINT: Page 68 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: Who is the last guest to die on the island? ANSWER: Vera Claythorne HINT: Page 245 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: Who dies by being stung by a bee? ANSWER: Emily Brent HINT: Pages 178-180 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: What is the name of the military person who killed his wife’s lover? ANSWER: General Macarthur HINT: Page 43 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: What is the only form of transportation used to get to and from the island? ANSWER: Boat HINT: page 24 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: Who shot Philip Lombard? ANSWER: Vera Claythorne HINT: Page 240 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: Which guest died by drowning? ANSWER: Dr. Armstrong HINT: Page 236 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: Which guest helped Justice Wargrave fake his death? ANSWER: Dr. Armstrong HINT: Page 270 |
DIRECTIONS: When a student asks you for a clue for the game, ask them the question on this card. If they get the answer right – show them the clue card. If they get the answer wrong, or does not know the answer, give them the hint and DO NOT give them the clue card until they come back with the correct response.
QUESTION: Who was the person that died by being “chopped in half?” ANSWER: Mr. Rogers HINT: Page 167 |
Examples of Weapon, Suspect, and Location Cards (Make 2 sets):
You need to make cards with pictures of your “weapons,” “suspects,” and “locations” on them. The easiest way would probably be to take pictures with a digital camera and print them on 3×5 index cards or you could just scan a yearbook picture or even draw a picture if necessary.
Weapon # 3: Fire Extinguisher |
Suspect # 2: Mr. Sprengel |
Location # 1: Academic Hall |
E-Mail Dawn Pawlowski !