Murder in the Classroom

The website One Stop English (http://www.onestopenglish.com/)

contains a Lesson Share Archive that is very useful for busy teachers. Sara
Mykietyn found this lesson and re-formatted and adapted it slightly for her EFL
class. It could be used in any foreign language class. If you translate it into
your target language, why not share it with your fellow Culture Club
colleagues?
Preparation: Depending on the class size, decide how many groups you will
have. The first seven characters (see teachers answer sheet) are the main
characters that you need to play the game. The others are extras that do not
contain any substantial information. Groups as close to seven as possible
work best within a 50 minute time period. The game may be played with six,
eliminating Patricia Woods. Make the necessary copies of the character
sheets. Cut each sheet, separating the background information from the
characters identity. Make one copy of the worksheet for each student.
Game Day: Before the students enter the classroom, write the word Murder
on the board. Ask them to define the word for you. Tell them that there has
been a murder in the high school and you need their help to solve it. Plus,
one of them is the murderer! First, give each student the top half of the
sheet, with the background information. Read it aloud and ensure
comprehension. Then, divide the class into their groups. Give them
individually their character and explain this is who you are. If you have time,
nametags are a nice idea but definitely did not seem to be essential. Finally,
while they read their character descriptions, give them the worksheet to
record all the information from their interviews. Answer any vocabulary
questions.
To explain the game, read the five questions on the bottom of the character
sheet together. They must ask these five questions to every other member of
their group. As well, they will be answering the same questions. Based upon
the answers, they must then determine what that characters motive and
alibi is. This information is recorded on the worksheet. By talking to the other
characters, their goal is to find out who the killer is and why.

Murder in the Classroom

Details about the murder:
During a school reunion, a scream is heard from one of the classrooms. It is
8:30pm. A few minutes later, the dead body of Ms Emily Johnson, an old
English teacher is found. She has been hit on the head. Also found were a
number of items that may lead us to the killer: a book written by one of her
ex-students, Simon Donnelly; a photograph of another teacher, a young man
called Saul Sheen; and, a tissue with the initials I.W. At the moment, these
are the three main suspects. Everyone who was at the reunion and saw or
spoke to Ms Emily Johnson needs to be questioned.

Your character:
Your name is Simon Donnelly. You are a former student.
Memories of Ms Emily Johnson: She was a very difficult teacher. She made
you do extra writing assignments. She said that you had talent but you hated
all the extra work. But, now you are grateful. Youre a writer and have just
written a new book which you dedicated to Ms Johnson.
Last time you saw Ms Johnson: You saw her at about 7pm. You gave her a
copy of your new book and she was happy.
When you heard the scream: You were talking to Louise King, another former
student.

Use the sheet to record and collect information about the other characters.
Some questions you should ask include:
What is your name?
Why were you at the reunion?
What was your relationship with Ms Johnson?
When was the last time that you saw Ms Johnson?
What were you doing when you heard the scream?
Remember, you can not tell a lie!

Murder in the Classroom

Details about the murder:
During a school reunion, a scream is heard from one of the classrooms. It is
8:30pm. A few minutes later, the dead body of Ms Emily Johnson, an old
English teacher is found. She has been hit on the head. Also found were a
number of items that may lead us to the killer: a book written by one of her
ex-students, Simon Donnelly; a photograph of another teacher, a young man
called Saul Sheen; and, a tissue with the initials I.W. At the moment, these
are the three main suspects. Everyone who was at the reunion and saw or
spoke to Ms Emily Johnson needs to be questioned.

Your character:
Your name is Louise King. You are a former student.
Memories of Ms Johnson: You hated her class. She gave too much homework.
She made you hate school and thus, you stopped going. You didnt do your
exams and now you work at the supermarket. You think it is all Ms Johnsons
fault. You are happy that she is dead!
Last time that you saw Ms Johnson: You went outside for a cigarette at about
8pm. You saw her with Mr. Green. It looked like they were arguing and it
seemed serious. They were talking about Saul.
When you heard the scream: You were happy for the distraction. You were
trying to escape from boring Simon Donnelly.
Use the sheet to record and collect information about the other characters.
Some questions you should ask include:
What is your name?
Why were you at the reunion?
What was your relationship with Ms Johnson?
When was the last time that you saw Ms Johnson?
What were you doing when you heard the scream?
Remember, you can not tell a lie!

Murder in the Classroom

Details about the murder:
During a school reunion, a scream is heard from one of the classrooms. It is
8:30pm. A few minutes later, the dead body of Ms Emily Johnson, an old
English teacher is found. She has been hit on the head. Also found were a
number of items that may lead us to the killer: a book written by one of her
ex-students, Simon Donnelly; a photograph of another teacher, a young man
called Saul Sheen; and, a tissue with the initials I.W. At the moment, these
are the three main suspects. Everyone who was at the reunion and saw or
spoke to Ms Emily Johnson needs to be questioned.

Your character:
Your name is Saul Sheen. You are a young teacher at the school.
Opinion of Ms Johnson: She was a very serious woman. She was not easy to
like.
Last time you saw Ms Johnson: Nobody at school knows this, but Ms Johnson
is your mother. She gave you up for adoption when you were a baby. You
were having an argument today because she would not tell you who your
father is. It was about 7:30pm.
When you heard the scream: You were looking for Mr. Green, the headmaster.
You knocked on his office door but there was no answer.

Use the sheet to record and collect information about the other characters.
Some questions you should ask include:
What is your name?
Why were you at the reunion?
What was your relationship with Ms Johnson?
When was the last time that you saw Ms Johnson?
What were you doing when you heard the scream?
Remember, you can not tell a lie! You must tell the other characters that you
are Ms. Johnsons son.

Murder in the Classroom

Details about the murder:
During a school reunion, a scream is heard from one of the classrooms. It is
8:30pm. A few minutes later, the dead body of Ms Emily Johnson, an old
English teacher is found. She has been hit on the head. Also found were a
number of items that may lead us to the killer: a book written by one of her
ex-students, Simon Donnelly; a photograph of another teacher, a young man
called Saul Sheen; and, a tissue with the initials I.W. At the moment, these
are the three main suspects. Everyone who was at the reunion and saw or
spoke to Ms Emily Johnson needs to be questioned.

Your character:
Your name is Ivan Williams. You are the housekeeper at the school.
Opinion of Ms Johnson: You thought that she was a very sophisticated
woman. It surprised you that she wasnt married. You wanted to invite her to
dinner but you were afraid that she would say no.
Last time you saw Ms Johnson: You saw her arguing with Mr. Sheen. You
never liked him; He was always made Ms Johnson upset. You went to see if
she was okay, you loaned her your tissue, which you always carry with you
because you have allergies.
When you heard the scream: You were cleaning the floor in the mens
bathroom.

Use the sheet to record and collect information about the other characters.
Some questions you should ask include:
What is your name?
Why were you at the reunion?
What was your relationship with Ms Johnson?
When was the last time that you saw Ms Johnson?
What were you doing when you heard the scream?
Remember, you can not tell a lie!

Murder in the Classroom

Details about the murder:
During a school reunion, a scream is heard from one of the classrooms. It is
8:30pm. A few minutes later, the dead body of Ms Emily Johnson, an old
English teacher is found. She has been hit on the head. Also found were a
number of items that may lead us to the killer: a book written by one of her
ex-students, Simon Donnelly; a photograph of another teacher, a young man
called Saul Sheen; and, a tissue with the initials I.W. At the moment, these
are the three main suspects. Everyone who was at the reunion and saw or
spoke to Ms Emily Johnson needs to be questioned.

Your character:
Your name is Lily Simmons.
Memories of Ms Emily Johnson: She was a very scary teacher. Most of her
students worked hard because they were afraid of her. You did very well in
her English class. Thanks to Ms Johnson, you are going to become a teacher.
Last time you saw Ms Johnson: You spoke to her briefly at about 7:45pm. You
were telling her about your studies. She didnt seem interested. When she
saw Mr. Green, she said that she had to go. You thought she was impolite.
When you heard the scream: You were dancing in the Sports Hall with some
of the other former students.

Use the sheet to record and collect information about the other characters.
Some questions you should ask include:
What is your name?
Why were you at the reunion?
What was your relationship with Ms Johnson?
When was the last time that you saw Ms Johnson?
What were you doing when you heard the scream?
Remember, you can not tell a lie!

Murder in the Classroom

Details about the murder:

During a school reunion, a scream is heard from one of the classrooms. It is
8:30pm. A few minutes later, the dead body of Ms Emily Johnson, an old
English teacher is found. She has been hit on the head. Also found were a
number of items that may lead us to the killer: a book written by one of her
ex-students, Simon Donnelly; a photograph of another teacher, a young man
called Saul Sheen; and, a tissue with the initials I.W. At the moment, these
are the three main suspects. Everyone who was at the reunion and saw or
spoke to Ms Emily Johnson needs to be questioned.

Your character:
Your name is Edward Green. You are the headmaster at the school.
Memories of Ms Emily Johnson: You have known Ms Johnson since you were
both students at university. You thought she was a remarkable woman. You
will miss her very much.
Last time you saw Ms Johnson: You were very busy this evening. You never
saw Ms Johnson.
When you heard the scream: You were in your office working on the
computer.

Use the sheet to record and collect information about the other characters.
Some questions you should ask include:
What is your name?
Why were you at the reunion?
What was your relationship with Ms Johnson?
When was the last time that you saw Ms Johnson?
What were you doing when you heard the scream?

Murder in the Classroom

Details about the murder:

During a school reunion, a scream is heard from one of the classrooms. It is

8:30pm. A few minutes later, the dead body of Ms Emily Johnson, an old
English teacher is found. She has been hit on the head. Also found were a
number of items that may lead us to the killer: a book written by one of her
ex-students, Simon Donnelly; a photograph of another teacher, a young man
called Saul Sheen; and, a tissue with the initials I.W. At the moment, these
are the three main suspects. Everyone who was at the reunion and saw or
spoke to Ms Emily Johnson needs to be questioned.

Your character:
Your name is Patricia Woods. You are a teacher at the school.
Memories of Ms Emily Johnson: She was a good teacher but she did not have
many friends.
Last time you saw Ms Johnson: She was walking to her classroom. It was
about 8:15pm and she looked upset. She was crying and wiping her eyes
with a tissue.
When you heard the scream: You were serving drinks with some of the other
teachers in the Sports Hall.

Use the sheet to record and collect information about the other characters.
Some questions you should ask include:
What is your name?
Why were you at the reunion?
What was your relationship with Ms Johnson?
When was the last time that you saw Ms Johnson?
What were you doing when you heard the scream?
Remember, you can not tell a lie!

Murder in the Classroom

Details about the murder:

During a school reunion, a scream is heard from one of the classrooms. It is

8:30pm. A few minutes later, the dead body of Ms Emily Johnson, an old
English teacher is found. She has been hit on the head. Also found were a
number of items that may lead us to the killer: a book written by one of her
ex-students, Simon Donnelly; a photograph of another teacher, a young man
called Saul Sheen; and, a tissue with the initials I.W. At the moment, these
are the three main suspects. Everyone who was at the reunion and saw or
spoke to Ms Emily Johnson needs to be questioned.

Your character:
Your name is Janice Carroll. You are a teacher at the school.
Memories of Ms Emily Johnson: You only just started working at the school.
You did not know her well.
Last time you saw Ms Johnson: You did not see her this evening.
When you heard the scream: You were talking to some of the other new
teachers in the Sports Hall.

Use the sheet to record and collect information about the other characters.
Some questions you should ask include:
What is your name?
Why were you at the reunion?
What was your relationship with Ms Johnson?
When was the last time that you saw Ms Johnson?
What were you doing when you heard the scream?
Remember, you can not tell a lie!

Murder in the Classroom

Details about the murder:
During a school reunion, a scream is heard from one of the classrooms. It is
8:30pm. A few minutes later, the dead body of Ms Emily Johnson, an old

English teacher is found. She has been hit on the head. Also found were a
number of items that may lead us to the killer: a book written by one of her
ex-students, Simon Donnelly; a photograph of another teacher, a young man
called Saul Sheen; and, a tissue with the initials I.W. At the moment, these
are the three main suspects. Everyone who was at the reunion and saw or
spoke to Ms Emily Johnson needs to be questioned.

Your character:
Your name is Mike Newell. You are a former student.
Memories of Ms Emily Johnson: She was not one of your teachers when you
were at school but you always heard from your friends that she was a
difficult teacher.
Last time you saw Ms Johnson: Early in the evening when the reunion had
just started.
When you heard the scream: You were getting a drink in the Sports Hall.

Use the sheet to record and collect information about the other characters.
Some questions you should ask include:
What is your name?
Why were you at the reunion?
What was your relationship with Ms Johnson?
When was the last time that you saw Ms Johnson?
What were you doing when you heard the scream?
Remember, you can not tell a lie!

Murder in the Classroom

Details about the murder:
During a school reunion, a scream is heard from one of the classrooms. It is
8:30pm. A few minutes later, the dead body of Ms Emily Johnson, an old

English teacher is found. She has been hit on the head. Also found were a
number of items that may lead us to the killer: a book written by one of her
ex-students, Simon Donnelly; a photograph of another teacher, a young man
called Saul Sheen; and, a tissue with the initials I.W. At the moment, these
are the three main suspects. Everyone who was at the reunion and saw or
spoke to Ms Emily Johnson needs to be questioned.

Your character:
Your name is Jason Smith. You are a former student.
Memories of Ms Emily Johnson: She was very difficult, not friendly, and most
of the students were afraid of her.
Last time you saw Ms Johnson: When you arrived at the party, before 7pm.
When you heard the scream: You were in the Sports Hall dancing with an old
friend, Lily Simmons.

Use the sheet to record and collect information about the other characters.
Some questions you should ask include:
What is your name?
Why were you at the reunion?
What was your relationship with Ms Johnson?
When was the last time that you saw Ms Johnson?
What were you doing when you heard the scream?
Remember, you can not tell a lie!

Murder in the Classroom

Details about the murder:
During a school reunion, a scream is heard from one of the classrooms. It is
8:30pm. A few minutes later, the dead body of Ms Emily Johnson, an old
English teacher is found. She has been hit on the head. Also found were a
number of items that may lead us to the killer: a book written by one of her

ex-students, Simon Donnelly; a photograph of another teacher, a young man

called Saul Sheen; and, a tissue with the initials I.W. At the moment, these
are the three main suspects. Everyone who was at the reunion and saw or
spoke to Ms Emily Johnson needs to be questioned.

Your character:
Your name is David Kennedy. You are the secretary at the school.
Memories of Ms Emily Johnson: She was a polite woman but not friendly. You
didnt have any problems with her.
Last time you saw Ms Johnson: This afternoon while you were getting ready
for the party. You arrived late at the reunion and didnt see her all evening.
When you heard the scream: You were washing your hands in the mens
room.

Use the sheet to record and collect information about the other characters.
Some questions you should ask include:
What is your name?
Why were you at the reunion?
What was your relationship with Ms Johnson?
When was the last time that you saw Ms Johnson?
What were you doing when you heard the scream?
Remember, you can not tell a lie!

Name and Role

Simon Donnelly
(former student)

Motive

Alibi

Clues / Other
Information
A copy of his book
was found in the
classroom where Ms
Johnson was killed

Saul Sheen
(young teacher)

A photograph of him
was found in Ms
Johnsons pocket

Ivan Williams
(housekeeper)

Ms Johnson had a
tissue with the
initials I.W in her
hand when she was
killed.

Name and Role

Motive

Alibi

Simon Donnelly
(former student)

None He liked Ms.

Johnson. Thanks to
her, he became a
writer.

He was talking to
Louise King, another
former student.

Saul Sheen
(young teacher)

He was seen arguing

with Ms. Johnson by
Ivan Williams. He is
also her son, and

He knocked on Mr.
Greens door but
there was no
response.

Clues / Other
Information
A copy of his book
was found in the
classroom where Ms
Johnson was killed

A photograph of him
was found in Ms
Johnsons pocket

Ivan Williams
(housekeeper)

Louise King
(former student)

Lily Simmons
(former student)
Edward Green
(headmaster)

Patricia Woods
(teacher)

wanted to know who

his real father is.
None She wanted
to be friends with Ms.
Johnson.

She was cleaning the

floor in the mens
bathroom.

Ms Johnson had a
tissue with the
initials I.W in her
hand when she was
killed.

She hated Ms.

Johnsons class and
blames her for
working in a
supermarket.
None She liked Ms.
Johnson. Thanks to
her, Lily wants to
become a teacher.

She was talking to

Simon Donnelly, a
former student.

She heard Mr. Green

and Ms. Johnson
arguing about Saul.

He was seen arguing

with Ms Johnson by
Louise about
someone named
Saul.
None she seemed
to like Ms Johnson.

None He was not in

his office when Saul
knocked on the door.

She was in the Sports

Hall with some other
students.

She was with other

teachers in the
Sports Hall.

Solution:
Mr. Green is Saul Sheens father. He and Ms Johnson had a relationship at university. Ms
Johnson had always kept their relationship a secret until now. After her last argument with
Saul about his father, Ms Johnson plans to tell Saul the truth. She tells Mr. Green about her
plans to tell Saul and they argue. Louise hears them arguing. Mr. Green is furious. He follows
Ms Johnson to the classroom and hits her over the head. He was not in his office when
everyone heard the scream. That is why when Saul knocked on his door, there was no
answer.