Chasing Vermeer - Mystery Novel Study for Advanced Readers

Join a Mystery Solving Team and Solve That Mystery

Chasing Vermeer - Mystery Novel Study for Advanced Readers

Ms. Heather, M.Ed., Gifted Education Specialist

Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(30)

In this 6-week online course, students will be introduced to the mystery genre while reading and analyzing the novel Chasing Vermeer.

Class Experience

US Grade 4 - 6

Advanced Level

Chasing Vermeer, written by Blue Balliett for her own classroom, is a mystery novel that focuses on figuring out who stole Johannes Vermeer’s painting, A Lady Writing, from the Art Institute of Chicago with it’s two main characters, Calder and Petra, on the case.  
This novel is excellent for not only a study of the mystery genre, but also for critical thinking, problem solving, exposure to art, and analysis through mathematical and problem-solving concepts woven together to solve the puzzle...

Students will not only delve into the mystery genre and look at elements of mysteries, but they will also be exposed to critical thinking and problem solving as they read and analyze the characters, setting, plot, and theme of the novel Chasing Vermeer.

Ms. Heather has been a certified teacher for the past 20+ years, including 10 years working specifically with gifted students.  During that time she has taught all content area subjects including reading and English language arts.

Homework Offered
Students should be prepared to read the assigned chapters of Chasing Vermeer before each weekly session.
Week 1 - no reading required
Week 2 - chapters 1-6
Week 3 - chapters 7-12
Week 4 - chapters 13-18
Week 5 - chapters 19-24
Week 6 - no reading required1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Grades Offered

0Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

From Common Sense Media:  Parents need to know that there's so much here to stimulate a child's mind: the codes embedded in both the story and the illustrations, art history, pentominoes, the works of Charles Fort, mathematical patterns, and much more. Many kids will want more information on one or more of the subjects presented and, with help from an adult, should find profitable areas for pleasurable research.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

Available times

Pacific

Table of available sections

Meet the teacher

Ms. Heather, M.Ed., Gifted Education Specialist

Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(30)

Hello!  

I am a certified educator with 20 years teaching experience.  I've taught both elementary and middle school, as well as been a gifted education teacher for half of my teaching career.  Gifted education is a special passion of mine so...