Tavares High School
6
Knowledge
WRITE YOUR
OWN MURDER
MINI-MYSTERY!
Rigor/Relevance
Framework
5
D
C
Assimilation
4
Adaptation
3
A
B
Acquisition
Application
2
1
1
Gold Seal Lesson – Don Dickson, THS English Dept.
Grades
2
3
4
5
Application
Subject
English/Science
Instructional
Focus
Writing:
 The student uses writing processes effectively.
 The student writes to communicate ideas and information effectively
Language:
 The student understands the power of language.
 The student understands the common features of a variety of literary forms.
 The student responds critically to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama
Performance
Task
CSI and Law and Order are TV shows that have been a steady component of our pop culture.
These shows begin with an idea and the writers of these TV shows develop characters and a
plot to create an entertaining and believable show.
10-12
This interdisciplinary unit will require students to compose their own mystery short stories.
These short stories will demonstrate the application of correct science terminology in the
development of the narrative. Characters within the narrative will demonstrate proper
methods of processing a crime scene. In the creation of these short stories, the students will
use the literary devices of foreshadowing, suspense, and direct/indirect characterization. The
narrative will demonstrate student knowledge of narrative plot development, including
exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
These “mini-mysteries” will be read and evaluated by other students and by the facilitating
teachers.
Scoring
Guide
The Total Project = 100 points (50 English, 50 Science)
English
Writing Process
 Outline, Drafting, and Peer Evaluation (10 pts.)
Final Draft
 Plot Development (10 pts.)
 Use of Literary Devices and Character Development (10 pts.)
 Use of Vivid and Descriptive Vocabulary (10 pts.)
 Mechanics (10 pts.)
Science (to be scored by the corresponding science teacher)
Scientific Processes
 Correct Use of Forensic/Scientific Terminology (25 pts.)
 Proper Processing of the Crime Scene (15 pts.)
Science and Technology
 Incorporating Correct Technology to Solve the Mystery (10 pts.)
(Ex. Gel Electrophoresis, AFIS, etc.)
Essential
Skills
English
LA.B.1.4
1. selects and uses appropriate prewriting strategies, such as brainstorming, graphic
organizers, and outlines.
2. drafts and revises writing that: is focused, purposeful, has an organizational pattern
that provides for a logical progression of ideas, has transitional devices, has
substantial and relevant support, uses creative writing strategies, demonstrates a
mature command of the language, has varied sentence structure, has few, if any,
errors in mechanics, usage, punctuation, and spelling.
3. produces final documents that have been edited for: correct spelling, correct
punctuation, correct capitalization, correct sentence formation, correct formatting,
etc.
LA.B.2.4
1. writes text, notes, outlines, comments, and observations that demonstrate
comprehension and synthesis of content, processes, and experiences from a variety
of media.
2. organizes information using appropriate systems.
3. writes fluently for a variety of occasions, audiences, and purposes, making
appropriate choices regarding style, tone, level of detail, and organization.
4. selects and uses a variety of electronic media, such as the internet, information
services, desktop publishing software programs, to create, revise, retrieve, and verify
information.
LA.D.2.4
2. understands the subtleties of literary devices and techniques in the comprehension
and creation of communication
LA.E.1.4
1. identifies the characteristics that distinguish literary forms.
LA.E.2.4
1. analyzes the effectiveness of complex elements of plot, such as setting, major events,
problems, conflicts, and resolutions
2. understands the relationships between and among elements of literature, including
characters, plot, setting, tone, point of view, and theme.
Pictures,
Tables,
Graphs, Etc.
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Samples of mystery short stories will be read/analyzed as part of our literature units.
(This overlaps units, giving students a greater opportunity to learn the concepts they
will use in their own writing.)
Students will use the “Plot Diagram” visual handout to help plan their story.
Students will use the “Character Analysis Man” (CAM) handout to help create
characters for their story.
Students receive a handout with common literary devices used in the mystery genre.