Objective: To retell an event through the eyes of a story character explaining his/her motive for committing the crime and how he/she felt after being caught.
Materials: Notebook paper, pencil, large chart paper, Meg Mackintosh and The Mystery at the Soccer Match (or any suitable mystery story).
Procedure:
1. Begin with a discussion summarizing the story's end when Meg announced who had stolen the gold medal. Refer to pages 43-48.
2. Extend the discussion by exploring the reasons why both Heather and Alex stole the medal at different times during the game.
3. Ask for volunteers who will role-play being Heather and Alex and have the rest of the group ask them questions to further probe why they committed the crime and how they feel now that they've been caught. Sample questions might include:
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Why did you steal the gold medal in the first place?
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What did you plan to do with the medal?
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Did you think of the effect it would have on the rest of the kids?
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Have you ever stolen before?
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How did you feel when you first stole it? And now?
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What do you think your punishment should be?
4. Prepare for the writing activity by first reviewing the form of a friendly letter and its five main parts: heading, greeting, body, closing and signature.
5. Tell the students that they are going to pretend that they are either Heather or Alex and write a letter to his/her family explaining in detail why he/she committed the crime and describe what his/her feelings are now that he/she has been caught. On chart paper, model the writing of the following letter before they begin. Introduce it by saying that this is a Mea Culpa letter from the infamous Goldilocks to her parents. Discuss its components and ask them about the crime Goldilocks committed and how she seemed to feel about it after getting caught.
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234 Cherry Hill Lane
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Caseville, MI
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July 6, 1999
Dear Mom and Dad,
I'm writing you to tell you why I broke into the three bears' house. I'm sort of sorry I did it, but I really didn't think it was that big of a deal. I was feeling so bored at home (You never let me go out with my friends) so I decided to take a walk and get some fresh air. I walked for a long time and I got so hungry. Believe me. I would have eaten anything at that point, even your zucchini stew, Mom. Anyway, I saw the door of the bears' house ajar so I just walked right in. I figured if they didn't want anyone coming it, they would have locked the door. I admit I was too rough with the baby chair and yes, I probably shouldn't have eaten all that porridge up but it was just right. Well, who could blame me for wanting to take a little nap after that? Baby bear's bed was so comfortable. Boy, when I woke up and saw three furry faces staring at me, I tore out of there and would have run all the way home but Ranger Dan caught me as I left the house. I really don't know what real harm I did. I was just curious. You're not going to ground me for that, are you?
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Your daughter,
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Goldilocks
6. Allow students sufficient time to write their letters and then conference with them to help them upgrade the first drafts.
7. Have individuals read their final draft letters aloud to the group who can respond to their writing.
8. An extension activity for this lesson would be having each family member to whom the letter was addressed react to the letter. This could take the form of role-playing.
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--Adapted from an activity entitled "Mea Culpa" found in Morris and Berry's Mystery and Suspense, page 36.