Originally published on 9/30/21
Caution tape and fun clues were the center of attention for Nelson Elementary students as they worked together to determine “Who Kidnapped the Principal?” Teachers, Holly Uribe and Hailey Provenzano, mapped out a fun lesson to learn the importance of making inferences to solve this mystery.
“We set up a crime scene on campus and shared how some mysterious things had been happening all summer,” Uribe said. “We gave each student a detective badge and set them free to take notes, write down items found, and sketch the scene.”
Next, the students were placed into groups and given a confidential folder containing interviews from suspects including their whereabouts and how they spent their free time. Students highlighted the evidence that matched what they found at the crime scene in order to catch the criminal. Finally, students wrote a final report to tell who they believe kidnapped Ms. Olvera and the evidence they found pointing to their conclusion.
“I love to incorporate real-life simulations as often as possible to connect what we are learning in the classroom to what they may see or do in the “real world,” especially for difficult concepts because it sets a natural purpose for learning and increases student engagement,” Provenzano shared. “Using a memorable experience to teach difficult concepts can also increase the students’ ability to recall the lesson and information learned when we need to refer to it later in the year.”