Description
Challenge your students with a realistic forensic mystery that builds critical thinking, reading comprehension, and evidence-based writing skills. The Vanished Singer is a full-length ELA activity inspired by real-world criminal investigations, tailored for Grades 9–10.
What’s Included:
-
A gripping case file: A rising nightclub singer vanishes after a show. Three days later, his body is found—no wounds, no witnesses, only questions.
-
4 supporting evidence files (scene report, interviews, witness statements, security footage summary)
-
Detective Grid for students to compare motive, opportunity, and evidence
-
5 structured analysis questions + Final Detective Report writing task
-
Vocabulary and ethics discussion prompts
-
Printable lined student response sheet
-
Full Teacher Guide with mock trial setup, questioning strategies, sample answers, and CCSS alignment
-
Designed for independent, group, or whole-class use
Why It Works:
-
Integrates crime scene investigation and forensic reasoning into literacy instruction
-
Encourages deep reading, logic-based argument writing, and collaborative analysis
-
Perfect for enrichment, ELA-Science crossover, project-based learning, or mock trial units
-
No prep required—just print and go
Standards-Aligned:
-
RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.3, RI.9-10.8
-
W.9-10.1, W.9-10.9
-
SL.9-10.1, L.9-10.4
Available as a digital download.
Looking for more forensic ELA mysteries? Check out our full series of crime scene investigations for high school students.
