Exploring Mystery in Fifth Grade: A Journey of Discovery

An instructional framework that included the use of a touchstone text, literature circles, and independent reading and writing created a rich context for the study of mysteries in a fifth-grade classroom. Key points include a) the complexity of the touchstone text as a key factor in shaping the instructional goals in this genre study, and b) the complexity of the genre as a challenge for writing instruction, demanding careful teacher planning and scaffolding, in spite of the promise that the mystery genre holds for fostering rich reading instruction.