1-on-1 Mystery Reader's Tutorial: Clues, Suspects and Inference

Each session covers part of a mystery. The child keeps a case file with clues, suspects and theories, and the tutor asks them to justify each guess from the text. Before the reveal, the child writes down their solution and reasons, then they check how the author planted the clues.

How classes work

Each 45-minute session is one learner with one teacher. There is no fixed lesson plan or set number of sessions: families book as many as they want, and the teacher sets the pace and focus around the learner's goals and gives feedback as they work.

What we can work on

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  Opening the Case File – Set up the file and read the opening.

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  Clues – Spot and record evidence.

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  Suspects and Motives – Who had a reason?

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  Red Herrings – Notice what misleads.

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  Timeline – Put events in order.

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  Making a Theory – Argue from the evidence.

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  The Reveal – Compare your solution with the author's.

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  How Mysteries Work – Look back at how clues were planted.

Ages 9-13. For readers comfortable with chapter books. Stories are provided or chosen with the parent.