On the Case

You can try this with your middle-grade (or higher) class. With some tweaks, you can adapt it for younger children. It could form the basis of a rich task to conclude a teaching unit. Kids love this type of investigation!

Note my motto occurs throughout: Gather, Organise, Communicate.

The Case of the Missing Manuscript

Scenario:  Professor Armitage, a well-known expert on the Roman Empire, has vanished, along with his prized manuscript detailing his new theory.  His office is well organised, except for a torn piece of paper near his desk.  It reads, "...the aqueducts...hidden chamber...Sol Invictus...".

Your Task:  Construct several explanations for Professor Armitage's disappearance and the torn paper using only the information provided. Draw, write, design a multimedia presentation of your findings.  

For each scenario, consider:

* Motive: Has the professor been kidnapped?  What value does the manuscript hold?  What about the aqueducts and Sol Invictus?

* Means:  How was Professor Armitage abducted?  How was the manuscript removed?  Consider how kidnappers might have taken the professor.

* Opportunity: When might the kidnapping have occurred?  What are the possible timelines?

Critical Thinking Prompts:

* Identify Assumptions: What assumptions are you making about the Professor, the manuscript, and the note? Are these assumptions valid, or could alternative explanations exist?

* Consider Alternative Explanations:  Develop three scenarios explaining the situation.  Don’t limit yourself to simple answers.

* Evaluate Evidence: What evidence is missing? What additional information would strengthen your hypotheses?

* Identify Biases: What biases might influence your interpretation of the information?  Are you leaning towards any particular scenario without sufficient evidence?

* Test Your Hypotheses:  How could you test the plausibility of your different scenarios?

Actively question assumptions, explore multiple perspectives, and use deductive reasoning to arrive at potential answers.  There's no single "right" answer. The goal is to develop and refine your critical thinking skills.

Any or all of the above can be adapted. Language can be up or down-scaled depending on the age group.