The Westing Game: Read Aloud Mystery and a $200 Million Riddle-Puzzle
In this six-week course, students will read aloud together and decifer the mystery of The Westing Game by Ellen Raskins.
Kathy Pudil
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(40)
What's included
12 live meetings
11 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. We will read the book aloud together in class. Homework will consist of reading the class page responses, and sometimes creating a response to a think/connect question after the reading. Asking questions and wondering about the details is encouraged.Assessment
Informal assessment is used to insure students are "getting it." Think questions, connecting questions, and wondering exercises are used along the way to help us figure out the clues.Class Experience
Let's read a mind-boggling, puzzle-making, fact-finding mystery together! Samuel W. Westing has gathered sixteen unique people together for a final game--inside his last will and testament. Each of the sixteen have an opportunity to inherit his estate, by solving the quirky twist-turning puzzle he has created, involving each of the people called together. He helps them rely on each other and learn to trust/distrust each other as they figure out what the clues mean. Many surprises along the way! Each class time we will read about 20-25 pages, or 2-4 chapters of the book aloud together. As we read, we will discuss the characters, the clues, take notes, draw charts, and have fun figuring out they mystery of Samuel W. Westing's last will and testament. He is leaving a huge reward to whomever can decipher the riddle and clues he has left behind. Join me in this captivating and fun novel that requires brain skills, curiousity, and laughter along the way. We will aim to follow this schedule, although discussion may require us to adjust our pace, and that is fine. We will meet twice weekly for six weeks. Each class will consist of some read aloud, some discussion, some note-taking to help us decipher the clues. Week 1: Chapters 1-3 and Chapters 4-6 Week 2: Chapters 7-8 and Chapters 9-12 Week 3: Chapters 13-14 and Chapters 15-17 Week 4: Chapters 18-19 and Chapters 20-21 Week 5: Chapters 22-23 and Chapters 24-26 Week 6: Chapters 27-end and book discussion/determine our next book read title? I look forward to enjoying this puzzle/mystery/game with you!
Learning Goals
Students will enjoy an entertaining mystery story while practicing the skill of deducing, drawing facts from clues in the story, and making predictions based on what we know. This book is both entertaining and mind-exercising.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
There is a dead body as part of the mystery, but no gorey details. There are reference to bombs being set in the apartment complex, but they are not threatening so much as clue-providing, to lead the mystery-solver in a particular direction. Turtle has a habit of kicking people when she's angry, but her behavior is never condoned, and she knows she needs to stop. Any questions or concerns about this novel are welcome and I will address them individually.
Supply List
copy of book (digital or hard copy okay) The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin paper + pen/pencil, for note taking--to help us decifer the clues!
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2021
5.0
40reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Missouri Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Master's Degree in Education from University of Missouri-Columbia
Hello! My name is Teacher Kathy, and I look forward to seeing you in my classroom! I teach students of all ages to become better readers and writers through integrated, interactive, and hands-on learning. I enjoy incorporating art and music into learning, and aim to reach all styles of learners: audio, visual, and kinesthetic.
My goal for each class is for students to walk away with useful, real skills in reading, writing, and vocabulary that will benefit them in whatever their own personal goals may be. Communication skills are essential in whatever successful pursuits a person may have, and my aim is to provide personalized, friendly, and fun help in becoming a better communicator: on paper, in person, online, conversationally, and (eventually) professionally.
I have been a middle school language arts and social studies teacher (15 years), and I taught life skills (3 years), introductory Spanish (2 years) and elementary art (1 year). I have been a high school English teacher in Literature, Grammar, and Practical English. I have also taught English as a Second Language online for the past 4 years. I have my Masters in Education and Curriculum from UMC.
When I'm not teaching, I enjoy reading, writing, cooking, sewing, crafts, camping and all things cats. As a writer, I have always kept journals, notes, lists, and written down my dreams in the middle of the night, in hopes of one day publishing a book (which has finally come to be a reality in 2021!) I like to spend time with my husband and six “kid-ties,” and enjoy traveling and learning about new parts of the world.Reviews
Live Group Class
$34
weekly or $200 for 12 classes2x per week, 6 weeks
55 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
1-4 learners per class
