Ý
Goals
1. Learn the importance of communication and team work through team
problem solving.
2. Identify the importance of roles in group processes.
Materials
Copies of clues (cut apart) of Murder at
Sea
Paper
Pencils or pens
Team Roles sheet
Time
Approximately 1 hour
Procedure
1. Students will gather in their groups.
2. Each team will get the set of clues from the ìMurder at
Seaî mystery.
3. Each team member will have some of the clues (clues will be evenly
distributed among all members).
4. Explain that teams will have approximately 20 minutes to solve the
murder.Ý They must find the murderer, murder
ÝÝ weapon, the time and place of the murder, and the
motive.Ý Teams may guess at anytime once all members agree on
the
ÝÝ possible solution.Ý Teams may organize
themselves any way they like but may not pass their clues around or
show
ÝÝ anyone else.Ý Students must remain in their
seats.Ý All sharing of clues must be done verbally.
5. After about 20 minutes has passed, reveal the solution to the
entire class.Ý Allow each team to share how they found the
ÝÝ solution, or how close they came to the solution,
and whether they found it difficult or easy to solve together.
6. Discuss the importance of communication, team work, and roles in
group processes.
7. Hand out the ìTeam Rolesî sheet.
8. Each team will decide which members will take on each role and
will define what each student must do to successfully
ÝÝ fulfill that role.
Ý
Assessment
1. Each team will hand in their solution to the mystery.Ý
(Criteria for success: The mystery will be correctly or partially
ÝÝ correctly solved.)
2. Each team will turn in their team roles sheet.Ý (Criteria
for success: Each student has a role defined with several, about
ÝÝ 3, criteria.)
Major Concepts
1. Math - logical thinking, problem solving
2. Social Studies - crime assessment, social dynamics
3. Language arts - group processes and roles
Extensions
1. Create a mystery.
2. Role play the mystery after or as it is being solved.
Go Back To S.O.S. Survival on the Sea Mini-Museum Main Page