Reading Comprehension
Literacy mystery boxes
Appropriate Grade Level: Elementary/Middle School
Procedures/Steps:
A literacy mystery box contains items that are references in a book or story.
The items put in the box are used to entertain and build anticipation for the
students. Both teachers and students can make these boxes, before and after
a story has been read.
 Choose a box with a lid such as a shoebox
 Decorate the box
 Place objects that have been collected into the box
 Decide the order in which you will introduce the objects to show the
class
 Present the mystery box, either hiding it behind something or leaving
it out in the open.
Comments and/or tips:
These boxes can be useful for informal assessment tools for teachers to
observe how children are responding to the text. Teachers can determine if a
student comprehends the material by seeing how relevant the studentselected items are.
Source:
Pearman, C.J., & Camp, D. H. (2004). Literacy mystery boxes. Reading
Teacher, 8, 766-768.