Week 1
Lesson 1
The History of the Mystery and Why Do People Love them?
Discussion of why people of all ages love mysteries, what makes for a great mystery and background on The Westing Game leading to Spar Debate on: 
Mysteries are thrilling because we love trying to solve the clues that we find and stretch our brains!

Position 1: Agree! Mysteries are thrilling because we love trying to solve the clues that we find and stretch our brains!
Position 2:  Mysteries are thrilling because we love learning about the characters and the place that the mystery is taking pla
 Week 2
Lesson 2
Discussion chapters 1-5
Discussion of chapters 1-5 leading to Spar Debate on: 
Spar Statement: First impressions give us a good sense of the people we are encountering.
Position 1: Yes, first impressions give us a good sense of the people we are encountering so we can understand them better. 
Position 2:  First impressions are deceiving.  
 Week 3
Lesson 3
Discussion chapters 6-10
Discussion of chapters 6-10 leading to Spar Debate on: 
Spar Question: What is the best way to get attention when you feeling ignored?
Position 1: When one is feeling ignored the best way to gain attention is to do something outrageous so people notice you.
Position 2: When one is feeling ignored the best way to gain attention is to try to talk to people to listen and to make conversation so they get to know you. 
 Week 4
Lesson 4
Discussion chapters 11-15
Discussion of chapters 11-15 leading to Spar Debate sparked by Turtle Wexler goes by her nickname but when asked by Flora what her real name is she says “Alice”, not her actual name of Tabitha-Ruth.
Statement: We are who we are.
Position 1: Our personalities are shaped from birth and who we are as people — funny, generous, kind, creative — is just who we are for always.
Position 2: We can change ourselves at any point in our lives to be whoever we want to be and do whatever we to do. 
 Week 5
Lesson 5
Discussion chapters 16-20
Discussion of chapters 16-20 leading to Spar Debate sparked by "From the way that Flora helps Turtle with her braid Turtle knows that she loves her." 
Spar Statement: Love is best expressed in the actions that we show each other.
Position 1: Love is best expressed in the actions that we show each other.
Position 2: Love is best expressed in what we say to each other. 
 Week 6
Lesson 6
Discussion chapters 21-25
Discussion of chapters 21-25 leading to Spar Debate sparked by “You’re awfully hard on yourself, Judge. And on him.”
Spar Statement:  It’s important to be demanding of ourselves to be successful.
Position 1: yes, we have to be very demanding of ourselves to be successful
Position 2: No, we need to be generous and kind to ourselves and still will be successful. 
 Week 7
Lesson 7
Discussion chapters 26 to END
Discussion of chapters 26-END leading to Impromptu speeches sparked by: Sam Westing comes back to find his heir. Is that the only reason he came back?
Question: What ideas, emotions, thoughts, feelings  do we pass along to those we love best?
 Week 8
Lesson 8
GAMES AND PUZZLES CLASS!
Games, quizzes, impromptu responses created especially for this class both to highlight the big ideas from this book and expand on oral communication.