Mystery Hour

Murder on the Orient Express, by Agatha Christie:
Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Without a shred of doubt, one of his fellow passengers is the murderer. Isolated by the storm, detective Hercule Poirot must find the killer among a dozen of the dead man’s enemies, before the murderer decides to strike again.
 
Westing Game, by Ellen Rasking:
A bizarre chain of events begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing’s will. And though no one knows why the eccentric, game-loving millionaire has chosen a virtual stranger—and a possible murderer—to inherit his vast fortune, on things for sure: Sam Westing may be dead…but that won’t stop him from playing one last game!
 
Learning Objectives:
Students will interpret, analyze, and evaluate what they read.
Students will participate in meaningful discussions, enabling them to speak clearly and effectively on numerous topics and themes found within the text.
Students will use knowledge of prefixes, root words, and suffixes to assist them in understanding vocabulary.
Students will have the opportunity to present on a theme, topic, character, setting, or idea presented in the text.
Students will identify and apply literary and informational elements to the text.
Students will analyze a text’s form of structure and comprehend word meaning and phrases.
Students will be able to evaluate a text using background information.
 
Recommended for: Ages 11+ / Grades 6-7 
Instructor: Mrs. Eve Babb
Day and Time: Wednesdays, 12:45 - 1:45 PM ET
Duration: 4 classes
Dates: May 8 - 29, 2024
Required Materials:
Murder on the Orient Express, by Agatha Christie 
Westing Game, by Ellen Rasking 
 
Eve Babb's teaching style: hands-on activities, storytelling, problem-solving activities, group discussion, explore different cultures
 
Student & Parent Reviews:
Ms. Eve is so nice and I really like having class with her. I loved making a paper bunny and learning how to write my own story. —Johnny, student
I am so glad that my son had Mrs. Eve as a teacher. She does a wonderful job making sure all of her students get involved and she really helps her students understand the literary themes. —Evelyn, parent
She is a delightful teacher! I am so happy with everything my kid has learned from her. She does a great job making sure that every student is heard and participates. - Bethany, parent