The Mystery Novel as a Literacy Teaching Tool Margot Kinberg – National University
The Mystery Novel as a Literacy Teaching Tool What *is* it about mystery novels? The mystery novel in the secondary education curriculum Some sample authors and novels
What *is* it about Mystery Novels? Popularity Diversity Reading Levels
The Mystery Novel in the Secondary Education Classroom Cross-Curricular Projects Theme-Based Units Proficiency-Development Activities Writing Activities
Cross-Curricular Projects …a synthesis of knowledge, skills and understandings from various subject areas…(Savage, 2010, p.8) Example: Shimberg & Grants (1998) thematic science unit
Theme-Based Units …effective teaching of language is organized around a central topic or theme that uses related activities and experiences to conduct a more in-depth study. (Gardiner, Wissick, Schweder & Canter, 2003, p. 161). Furgiele & Gaudets Mysteries and Uncanny Happenings unit for English Language Arts
Proficiency- Development Activities Readers Theatre Role Playing Retelling Concrete Objects (e.g. clues) Co-Operative Learning Groups
Writing Activities Co-authored Mysteries Crime Section of a newspaper Re-writes of novels and stories (its even fun to have students create their own endings) Sequels and Prequels Mystery-Related Writing Prompts
Example Novels and Stories Agatha Christie – And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Tony Hillerman – Listening Woman Alexander McCall Smith – The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Short Stories: Roald Dahl: Lamb to the Slaughter; The Landlady Shirley Jackson: The Lottery
Contact Information Margot Kinberg Department of Teacher Education National University 705 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 150 Carlsbad, CA USA