Reading Mysteries Program - Close Reading Inference Activities - Digital & Print
This full-year Reading Mysteries Program offers 40 weeks of interactive, high-interest reading mysteries designed to engage middle and high school students in close reading, inference, and finding text evidence. Each mystery encourages students to carefully analyze clues, gather evidence, and make logical inferences to solve a unique case, strengthening essential comprehension and critical thinking skills along the way. With 40 creative digital and print mysteries included, you’ll have enough material in this reading program to last the entire school year. Perfect for fostering collaboration, curiosity, and meaningful classroom discussion, this reading program challenges students to think deeply during close reading while having fun. The structured format of this reading program makes it easy to implement, while the mystery-based approach keeps students motivated and invested in every lesson.
This is a bundle of both the digital and print versions of the program. The print version includes PowerPoint presentations and printable files, while the digital version is meant to be completed on a device and uses Google Slides.
Looking for the digital OR the print version only? Use the links below!
→ Reading Mysteries Program Print Version
→ Reading Mysteries Program Digital Version
Included in This Reading Mysteries Program
➡️ 40 Google Slides & PPT Presentations: Each mystery in the reading program is introduced with an interactive Google Slides and PowerPoint presentation that provides the story background, clues, suspects, and the final reveal. With clear, step-by-step slides, each presentation guides students through the evidence and explanations, offering a structured and easy-to-follow approach for both teachers and students. These slides help keep lessons organized, engaging, and focused on close reading and inference skills.
➡️ 40 Mystery Posters: These vibrant, eye-catching posters are designed to spark student curiosity and can be displayed on your classroom door or walls to build excitement for each new mystery. Each poster sets the stage for the story and invites students to dive into the investigation.
➡️ 40 Original Narrative Backstories: Every mystery begins with a unique narrative that introduces the scenario, suspects, and context for the case. These engaging backstories draw students into the investigation and provide meaningful close reading material that supports comprehension and inference practice.
➡️ Diverse Evidence Formats for Each Mystery (Digital and Print): Each mystery in this reading program features a variety of evidence types—such as text messages, emails, social media posts, notes, and more—to challenge students’ close reading and inference skills. The evidence formats align with each mystery’s theme, keeping the experience fresh while strengthening students’ ability to interpret different types of texts.
➡️ Digital and Print Graphic Organizers: Students use these digital or print organizers to track clues, record inferences, and organize evidence as they work through each case. The structured format supports critical thinking and cloes reading and helps students systematically evaluate suspects and refine their conclusions.
➡️ Detailed Answer Keys: Complete teacher answer keys are included in both printable format and within each Google Slides and PowerPoint presentation. These provide thorough explanations for every solution, making it easy to review answers, lead class discussions, and reinforce evidence-based reasoning.
How the Reading Mysteries Program Works:
- Set the Scene: Begin each mystery by displaying the poster to build anticipation and excitement. Group students to encourage collaboration, discussion, and problem-solving.
- Guide the Lesson: Use the Google Slides or PPT presentation slides to introduce the narrative, suspects, and evidence in a clear, structured way. The guided format makes it easy to walk students through each part of the mystery.
- Analyze the Evidence: Distribute the print clues or share the digital file and have students use their close reading skills to analyze, infer, and discuss each piece of evidence. Students work together to make predictions, justify their thinking, and support conclusions with text evidence.
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Reveal the Solution: After students make their inferences, they share their final conclusions, use the presentation to reveal the culprit. Each mystery explains why each suspect is innocent or guilty, reinforcing logical deduction and critical reading skills.
What Teachers Are Saying About The Reading Program:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have been using these since Thanksgiving. I started with the lesson "Who Stole the Pie" and then I did the lesson "Who Destroyed the Snowman." My admin was so impressed with the lessons that she ordered the entire package for me so that I could thread them in throughout the remainder of the year. Our students struggle with reading in between the lines and making inferences. We hope to see a difference in our test scores. Thank you for this resource!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My students and I love these! I always work through them first before I give them to the students so I will know how to guide them. It keeps all of my students engaged and presents a challenge to even my highest students. It teaches them to really pay attention to all of the details - even the small ones! Thanks so much for this resource!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is such an excellent resource! I also have the grammar program and I alternate between the two on Fridays with my grade 7s. They get so excited for Fridays! I put them in small groups for this and give a lot of time for them to work through. This is my first year using it straight from September and it is amazing to already see how much their inference skills have improved! It's definitely an investment but it is well worth it!
If you like this reading program, you'll love this:
→ The Grammar Challenge Program
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