Focus on GenreHERE’S A

PUZZLE TO SOLVE!

What kind of writing is full of suspense, contains a

crime, a detective who’s trying to figure it out,

clues to point the way, suspects who might have done it…. and finally, the

SOLUTION?

If you said it’s a MYSTERY, you’re right!

Author: Donald J. Sobol Example of an Earthenware Pig

The Case of the EARTHENWARE PIG

BrownDetective Agency13 Rover Avenue

Leroy Brown-president-

NO CASE TOO SMALL$25 per day plus expenses

The Sticks of TruthRetold

By George ShannonThe Sticks of Truth is based on an Indian folktale that uses elements of a mystery. Many folktales and mysteries are similar; action and sequence of events are important, a major problem is solved, and each has lead characters.

clue

something that helps solve a mystery

A fingerprint found at the scene of a crime is a clue that often helps detectives solve cases.

Synonyms:hintsignsuspiciontrace

case

The police studied the case of the missing jewels.

something that is being investigated

Synonyms:lawsuitlegal action

criminal

a person who has committed a crime

The police officer created a road barrier to try and catch the criminal.

Synonyms:convictprisonercrookfelon

detective

a person who tries to solve a crime

The detective wanted to examine the evidence that was found at the scene of the crime.

evidence

Police usually send the evidence to a forensics lab for testing.

facts or signs that show the truth or that help someone make a conclusion

Synonyms:prooffactssupport

solution

the answer to a mystery

If we work hard, we can find a solution to this problem.

Synonyms:answerresult

suspect

The officers used bloodhounds to track the suspect.

a person thought to be guilty of a crime

suspense

uncertainty about what will happen

The story was full of suspense. Each chapter was more exciting than the last.

Synonyms:anticipationexpectation

witness

a person who sees or hears something

The jury listened while each witness gave their testimony.

Synonyms: bystander spectator eyewitness

More Books by Donald J. Sobol

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!

Draw! Draw! Draw!

evidence witness suspense clue

detective solution criminal case

suspect

Free AssociationWrite as many words as you can think of that go with each

of the vocabulary words.For example: The word is school:

1. learning 2. Science 3. pencils 4. Reading 5. Math 6. teachers 7. P.E. 8. educationAnd on and on and on

1. evidence 2. witness3. suspense4. clue5. detective6. solution7. criminal8. case9. suspect

Vocabulary ClassifyingPlace the following words in categories:

evidence witness suspenseclue detective solutioncriminal case suspect

• Decide the names of the categories.• Determine how many categories.• Determine which words go in which categories.• After classifying the words, write a paragraph explaining each of the categories and why certain words go in a particular category.

Synonym SearchMatch the vocabulary words on the left to the correct synonyms on the right. Some vocabulary words have more than one synonym. Ready, set, go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

suspense

case solution

criminal

a. babbling e. legal action

i. result m. ranting q. sign u. spectator

y. defense

b. answer f. sly j. suspicion

n. prisoner r. smooth v. explanation

z. expectation

c. bystander

g. convict k. eyewitness

o. anticipation

s. trace w. excuse aa. felon

d. hint h. proof l. facts p. lawsuit t. crook x. support

evidence

clue

witness

3. The _________ used his logical thinking skills to solve the mystery.4. The judge imposed a life sentence on the _______________.5. It took them hours to figure out the _____________ to the math problem.6. The police decided to interrogate the ______________ right away.7. I like this novel because of the way the author builds ___________ into the plot’s rising action.

2. He concealed the _____________ under his coat.1.

evidence; witness; suspense; clue; detective; solution; criminal;

case; suspect;

Can You Find the Context Clues?

8. The _____________ tried to alter her original story, but the police officer didn't believe her.

9. The jury will need to deliberate for hours before giving a verdict in the criminal ______________.

The only _________ she left behind was a small strand of her hair.

Word Association Challenge1. Which word goes with an accident? Why?

Word Bankevidencewitness suspense cluedetectivesolution criminal casesuspect

2. Which word goes with a school lunch room? Why? 3. Which word goes with telling a story? Why?4. Which word goes with judges, lawyers, and courthouses?5. Which word goes with handwriting and voice recorders? Why?6. Which word goes with a magnifying glass and a wig? Why?

8. Which word goes with a winning play in football? Why?9. Which word goes with someone hiding? Why?

10. Which word goes with writing a riddle? Why?

Some words can be used more than once. Can you figure out which ones?

7. Which word goes with acting? Why?

11. Which word goes with the night before Christmas?12. Which word goes with listening to a story? Why?

Tell Me What You Know1. Why would someone need a detective?

2. Explain how you feel when reading a story that is full of suspense.

3. Witness, evidence, and case are connected because__________________________________________.

4. What are the differences between evidence and clues?

5. What makes a detective suspect someone of breaking the law?