Welcome to Mystery BoxA Social Studies Adventure

For Fourth Grade Classrooms

Make Learning about Wisconsin Communities Fun!

Getting Started

Begin by having the students do some research. You can goonline . . .

or use the more old fashioned approach.

Then What?Brainstorm! List all kinds of things that the

students think of about your area. These will become clues for your Mystery Box.

And Then . . .

It’s Time to Choose!

Students pick which clue(s) they want to work on. Some may choose more than one, and that’s just fine.

Some Things to Keep in Mind

1.You will have 25 clues about your city.2.The first clues should be very general. ~ For example, your first clue might be your region of the state.3. Remember, your clues will be in the form

of puzzles, math problems, or hands on activities. Here are some examples:

A Couple of General Clues

As Clue Numbers Go Up, Clues Become More Specific

There are All Kinds of Clues

This one invites thestudent to solve along math problem.

Some Students make Models

Others Construct Puzzles

Sometimes Real Items are Used

Whatever kindof clue is made,the students areinvolved and focused.

Final Clues are Specific

This one gives the zip code.

What Happens when the Clues are Done?

A folder is made for the teacher of the class who is receiving

the box. It has ALL THE ANSWERS.

Sometimes it’s fun to share your box with the rest of the school or even your

parents.

Then it’s time to pack your box.

Where Does the Box Go?

Your box gets mailed to the school whose name has been provided to you. You will

receive a box from that school. Then your students get to solve the clues in

that box to discover where it came from. Get ready for lots of excitement when

the box arrives!

Do We Get our Box Back?You can request the return of your box.

You’ll also get some neat feedback from the school who received it.

Questions? You can contact Cathy Stowers at

cathy.stowers@saukprairieschools.org or by calling her at 608-643-5585.

TIMELINEWork on your box as long as you want,

but have it ready to exchange by April 1st.

Have Fun!