Mystery Scholar

What is the Mystery Scholar activity?

Mystery Scholar is an activity used to build a positive classroom culture and promote the creation of a community of learners by fostering trust and implementing a safe opportunity for each student to share about themselves.

Why is this strategy important?

Creating a welcoming and safe environment for students to be able to share amongst their peers builds a greater sense of community in the class and encourages students to feel more encouraged to have discussions, debates and share out loud their ideas and arguments throughout the school year.

How to use this strategy?

1. Provide each student an index card as they enter the class and ask them to respond to statements displayed on a screen or board.  Inform students that responses will be shared out to the entire class.

2. Use between 4-5 dichotomous statements or questions where answers are between two choices (for example, "Are you a dog person or a cat person?) and have students write answers on their cards.

3. Include one final question asking students to share something interesting or unique about themselves.  This could be a hobby, skill, fun fact, etc.

4. Once students are finished, collect all cards and begin the "Mystery Scholar" activity by asking all students to stand up.  The teacher randomly selects a card and begins reading each of the responses, for example, "This Mystery Scholar selected Cats", "The Mystery Scholar would choose flying as a superpower over super speed", etc

5. Teacher reads each statement and if what is read applies to a student then they remain standing for the next question.  If what is read does not apply to a student then they each sit down for the rest of the activity until the Mystery Scholar is identified.

6. Read the interesting fact that was shared which should result now in one student still standing

7. Have the student introduce themselves and celebrate the identified "Mystery Scholar" through a class cheer or celebratory clap.

8. Plan for completing the activity 2 or 3 times each day at the beginning or end of a class period until all students have participated and had an opportunity to share