Classroom Theme Linky Party

Surfin' Through Second is hosting a Classroom Theme Linky Party.  Be sure to drop by and check it out.  Seeing all the great ideas is so inspiring!

Right now I'm working on a Superhero theme for next year and when I get it all pulled together I'll post about it.  The last 2 years I've had a detective theme that I have loved.  I didn't take nearly enough pictures but I'll share some of what I have.



A detective theme is wonderful because it connects to the curriculum so well.  You can have your students search for clues in reading, investigate science, and be on the lookout for clues in word problems. In addition to decorating the room with cute detective clip art, I decided to get my class involved with the theme.

On the first day of school, I took pictures of my little detectives.

To get their little brains jump-started after the long summer break, I presented a mystery for them to solve.  Our class mascot, Scooby Doo, had been stolen!!  I walked in one morning and found these footprints leading to the place where Scooby hung out.

I found this message on the board.

The message is hard to read in the picture, but it says:
"I have Scooby!  If you want him back, follow the clues."

The kids took turns investigating the crime scene.

As I received new clues throughout the day, I would hang them up on the board.

 I think #6 is kind of creepy but the culprit had lunch duty while the 3rd graders were in the cafeteria.

My kiddos recorded the clues in their handy-dandy notebooks, I mean case files. The case files were mini file folders with paper inside.  One page was a scrambled message with the thief's name.  We worked on this mystery off and on throughout the day but no one could solve the mystery.  Some of the kids were so intent on finding the culprit they took their case files home for homework.  With some parental help, one of my kids came back with the mystery solved the next day.

The "thief" was our math interventionist (you might recognize her from the rounding cheer I posted here). She came in and talked with the kids for awhile about piecing together clues.

Putting the mystery together was a lot of work but it was fun.  We got the school year off to a great start and the kids were excited about school.  I can't wait to do some blog stalking and get some awesome ideas for next year.


After you check out the theme linky party, visit Delighted in Second's cute blog and enter a chance to win a $20 TPT gift certificate.  If your wish list is as long as mine, you could really use that gift certificate!

6 comments classroom theme, motivation