Murder Mystery Investigation!

There's been a murder!

This exciting, engaging investigation activity allows students to control the direction of their own learning, through speaking, listening, discussing, and reasoning. I initially created these resources to provide something interesting for the students to engage with for their Functional Skills Speaking and Listening discussions, but it has since been used across Citizenship and PSHE departments, as well as by form groups, as a catalyst for social and moral discussions.

Students play detectives aiming to solve the case of a death of an old lady. Using a range of evidence, from video clips, to interviews with key suspects, to positioning events on maps, students work in teams to try and solve the case. They must use skills of communication, to decide which leads to prioritise, and which evidence to discount. They also need to use their skills of literacy, to read and understand key evidence, and skills of numeracy to ensure that they keep their case within budget!

Included in this resource pack are:
- Full PowerPoint lesson talking students through the case;
- A range of 'Exhibits' - evidence that the students use to build a case, including video clips;
- A map of the local area, to help visualise the events leading up to the death;
- Budgetting and recording sheets to track their progress;
- A prime supsects list;
- Clue cards containing interviews with prime supsects;
- Full teacher guidance.

Considering the time and effort that it took to create these resources, I think that they offer exceptional value. Whenever I have used this activity before, it has taken at least 2-3 lessons, including the introduction, investigation, conclusions, and evaluation. I orignally have used this with lower ability Year 8,9, and 10 groups, but colleagues have adapted it easily for students of all key stages.

All images have been cited at the end of the PowerPoint presentation and are licensed for commercial use.