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
2
3
4
5
Application
Subject
English/Science
Grades
Instructional
Focus
Science:
 The student uses the Scientific processes and habits of mind to solve problems
 The student understands that Science, technology, and society are interwoven and
interdependent
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
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
Science:
SC.H.1.4
1. understands that no matter how well one theory fits observations, a new theory might
fit them as well or better, or might fit a wider range of observations, because in
science, the testing, revising, and occasional discarding of theories, new and old,
never ends and leads to an increasingly better understanding of how things work in
the world, but not absolute truth.
SC.H.2.4
2. knows that scientists control conditions in order to obtain evidence, but when that is
not possible for practical or ethical reasons, they try to observe a wide range of
natural occurrences to discern patterns
SC.H.3.4
2. know that technological problems often create a demand for new scientific
knowledge and that new technologies make it possible for scientists to extend their
research in a way that advances science.
6. knows that scientific knowledge is used by those who engage in design and
technology to solve practical problems, taking human values and limitations into
account.
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.