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FAQ: Teaching Tips & Classroom Setup

How should I set up my investigation space?

Your setup is the foundation of the mystery experience. You can go fully digital, or choose a physical setup that works best for your space, budget, and group size:

• Budget-Friendly: Use an accordion folder for each team to store weekly evidence and notes.
• Classic Crime Board (recommended): Set up a bulletin board with pushpins and yarn to connect suspects, clues, and timelines. Students can visually track their theories as the case unfolds.
• Full Immersion: Act out key scenes with students or volunteers playing suspects, witnesses, or the victim. Add simple props, such as crime scene tape, evidence bags, clipboards, or costume pieces, to create atmosphere.

What group size works best?

The mysteries work with siblings, small teams, or full classrooms. For 10+ students, split into 4–5 detective teams. Let teams name their “agency” for extra engagement. Keep team theories private for added excitement and realism.

What if I have a Solo Student?

The Solo Student Edition offers an immersive, hands-on experience for independent learners. Each week, they examine new evidence, conduct forensic labs, and make key decisions that determine how the case unfolds. Many solo students enjoy setting up a personal crime board, tracking their investigation visually, and refining their detective skills on a weekly basis. By the end, they’ll have not only solved the case but also written a complete, original mystery story that reflects their unique approach to the investigation.

How should I use the weekly evidence folders?

Available each week in the Print Center, these PDFs contain that week’s forensic materials—photos, handwritten notes, maps, reports, and more—designed to feel like real case files landing on a detective’s desk. After printing, place them in a folder or large envelope labeled for that week. Students review each item, looking for details, connections, and clues to help them develop their theory as the mystery unfolds.

How can I keep reluctant writers engaged?

Reluctant writers often feel stuck because they don’t know where to start or feel pressured to produce long, polished work. The mysteries remove that pressure by providing a ready-made framework—characters, clues, conflict, and suspense—so they’re never staring at a blank page.

Tips for success:

• Build the story in small steps tied directly to each week’s investigation.
• Let them follow the class storyline with small personal twists.
• Focus on brief scenes or dialogue instead of long chapters.
• Use weekly collaboration prompts for inspiration.
• Experiment with alternative perspectives (detective, suspect, witness, or even a piece of evidence).

How can I challenge advanced students?

Advanced writers can:

• Create new suspects or subplots.
• Switch points of view as they progress through the mysteries.
• Add layered plot twists or foreshadowing.
• Use advanced literary techniques, such as symbolism or parallel storylines.
• Incorporate additional scientific or forensic details from research.

The Teacher’s Edition includes My Research projects, My Forensic Lab projects, and bonus prompts for those who want to go deeper.

Any final tips?

Have fun! This isn’t a rigid script—it’s a flexible mystery adventure. Encourage curiosity, debate, creative problem-solving, and bold storytelling. Let students explore evidence, test theories, and even fail safely—because that’s when the best thinking happens.