Reading circles
Reading to the group
Individual reading
Creating a concept map on the mystery "genre"
Creating a collective list of "mystery vocabulary"
Creating a class paper-based or electronic database of mystery stories read in which the students can include a number of elements, including an appreciation/recommendation.

List of leading questions
A Collection/organisation sheet that matches the information you want to collect in the database.

Two Minute Mysteries, by Donald Sobol, Bantam Doubleday
Encyclopedia Brown by Donal Sobol, Bantam Doubleday
(Both available from Scholastic Books)
The Two-Minute Mystery archives: for archived stories from previous years
MysteryNet's Kids Mysteries
Books by Donald Sobol, Encyclopedia Brown, Two-Minute Mysteries and others.
Other Mini-Mystery Authors.
Order Donald Sobol Books from Chapter-Indigo (CAN $)
Essential Ingredients: lists some of the structures, features and vocabulary of a mystery story.
Student materials for the Mystery Genre in "Differentiating Writing Across the Curriculum"
Challenging Children With Mystery Stories, by Maureen Onofrio A good teacher ressource.
See also the list of books in the private teacher area (Login required)

ICT competency
If creating an electronic database, use a rubric to evaluate the ability to use use the various functions of the software used or the ability to search the database.
If your students are beginners, use a simple checklist of the skills required to access and navigate the web for this part of the project.
Keep in mind the cross-curricular competency and the ELA competencies you have chosen to focus on. Can you already evaluate some here?

Create a class electronic database of mystery stories read in which the students can include a number of elements, including an appreciation/recommendation.
Access the Web to read and solve mysteries on line (MysteryNet's Kids Mysteries and The Two-Minute Mystery archives)