A fun, new unit of study for Reading Workshop was introduced this year in 3rd Grade. Mysteries! This genre is very popular in our culture, and has some important & unique features, so dedicating a unit to it in 3rd grade is a great idea. Lakewood students are fortunate; when I read mysteries as a kid (oh, boy, was I a big Nancy Drew fan), I devoured and enjoyed them. However, I've gained a whole new appreciation for the distinct elements and vocabulary mystery writers use in order to hook their readers, through observing in classrooms during this unit...and even teaching a lesson myself. Thank you, Mrs. Cali, for allowing me to take over for a day :-)
Of course, mysteries aren't limited to the printed word, there are many movies and TV shows, too. As a way to celebrate the end of the Mystery unit, the 3rd graders enjoyed watching a Scooby Doo movie on Friday as a whole grade level. Are you smiling right now because you liked Scooby Doo as much as I did when you were a kid?
Yesterday after school, I asked 3rd grader Eva Brooks if she enjoyed the Scooby Doo movie and she said she did. I also asked her if she likes reading mysteries. She said she loves them, and she didn't know that at all before this unit. Wow, no mystery here...good curriculum + good teaching = student engagement and learning.
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