I am a 9th grade English teacher. Currently we are working on short stories. I am trying to find several good mysteries to use in the classroom. My students really liked Poe, so I think they would enjoy solving any kind of mystery. If you have a good mystery I would appreciate you sending it to me, or letting me know where I can find some.

What about reading "Two minute Mysteries"? There is also a similar book called "Clue". The movie Clue may be a neat idea and playing the Clue game would also be cool. Have you read the book The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin? It is a good mystery, although I haven't read it as of yet. Amy codya@fuse.net

The Westing Game is terrific for use in the classroom. I also think some Sir Arthur Conan Doyle may be appropriate for ninth grade... some are relatively short. Agatha Christie also has some good short ones too.

I need suggestions and activities in preparing to teach The Westing Game? Any help or resources will be greatly appreciated.

I am teaching a college freshman writing course in conjunction with an introductory Biology course that will focus on forensics. We would like to incorporate short stories and brief mystery works that solve the crime by a forensic approach. Could anyone make any recommendations?

I have been doing a high school murder mystery for about ten years. The unit takes about 4 weeks and involves reading, writing, analyzing film, interpreting characters, interviewing crime experts and more. If you are interested in a complex writing unit for the ninth grade, email me at sswanson@analy.org

I teach 8th grade Algebra and Pre-Algebra. I take the basic quick solve and solve it mysteries and add 3 or 4 math problems related to the activities taking place in the case (i.e. what is the perimeter of the window, how much will the ice cream cost if Nina buys it for all her friends?)throughout the story. I then use these as warm-up activities to start my class. The students do math and solve the mystery, they beg for more and always groan on the pun in the solution.

What a great idea! Maybe if someone had made algebra fun for me I would remember how to do it! You're a special teacher and I hope your kids appreciate you.

Our middle school would like to plan a mystery for our students to solve that happens in the building. We plan to have a field trip to the local police department to discuss crime scenes with the detectives. Has anyone tried making their own mystery? We could use some suggestions. We have about 75 students.Thanks.

I did this at the high school but I'm sure it would work at the middle school. I actually had a student "steal" a printer from the computer classroom, during class (it could be anything). I distracted the students and then sat back and waited for someone to realize what had happened. We elected police who interviewed all the witnesses (a class of 32). We discussed the evidence and came up with a suspect and then held a mock trial (jurors, attorneys, judge were from another class). It was great and a real lesson on how everyone sees things differently. Each student (approx. 65)played a role so was actively involved. It played out over a week of class time. Hope this suggestion spurs some ideas.

omg i wish my school did taat!! that sounds lyk soo much fun! it would be so kewl!