mclassy

Middle Childhood Language Arts Social Studies -Y
....currently teaching 7th grade writing :)


View my profile on Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh - TeachersPayTeachers.com

Friday, November 11, 2011

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Mystery is my favorite genre! I reread this book last year and tried to think of fun ways to present the information in the book. This book has quite a few characters and I remember finding it difficult to keep everyone straight. Making character cards, doing a detective notebook or "sleuth" log, and displaying the clues as we learn them may help bring the story alive!
Character Cards for The Westing Game. The front (shown) is a cartoon-like representation of the character based on the author's description. Realistic Art, unlike my brother, does not come naturally to me. I intend to put additional information on the back of the card for quick reference checks.
I know of a few teachers who use character cards for this novel as a matching game. One card (shown above) is used with the character drawing and name. The other card has character information.Click here for the Character Card 3x5 index card template Be sure to check printer options to print in the correct format.

This is my detective notebook. Small columns used to collect information on the 16 "heirs".


Each column includes: detailed description, occupation, connection to Westing, Partner (in Game), Important Facts, and do you believe he/she is a suspect?
Click here for the Detective Notebook

The "clues" as seen in the novel. I printed each clue on an index card. I plan to post the clues on a bulletin board in the classroom as we collect them!

113 comments:

  1. We are preparing to read this as a homeschool project. I love what you have done here, do you have these items available for download?

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  2. Jen, sent you an email with the info :)

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    1. I am getting ready to do this unit also. These are great ideas that I'd love to use! Would I also be able to get the templates to download? Thanks! My email is mbrown@erpsk12.org

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  3. Great idea! Would you also be able to email these items to me? I'm starting this book in a few weeks. Thanks!

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    1. Heather, sent your attachments today, sorry for the delay!

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  4. Are the character cards something you could share? My son and I are reading the book and these seem like a wonderful tool to organize the many characters as they can be confusing.
    carynbokor@aol.com

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    1. Caryn, I have the character cards set on a 3x5 index card template on word, hopefully it works for you! Enjoy!(sent via email)

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  5. Starting this book with my class this week. Just stumbled upon your blog. Is there anyway you could email me the character and clue cards, as well? I love them!

    IT would be greatly appreciated! glade.jeff@gmail.com

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  6. Sarah, would these cards be available for me to print for my classroom? Thank you!

    Connie

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  7. Oops, forgot to give you my email.

    connie361@aol.com

    I love your character and clue cards!

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  8. LOVE these! I have something like this, but not as cute as yours! Could you provide me with the character cards and the detective notebook, too? kcarmine@central.k12.mn.us
    Thanks!

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  9. such a great idea... can you send the files also to ashleylluberes@gmail.com

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  10. Wonderful ideas! You seem to be very creative. Can you please send me the files as well? jfox@mexico.k12.mo.us.

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  11. I love your character cards, can you email me the files?
    dahathorne@msn.com

    Thank You!

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  12. Wow! This looks like amazing idea's and a lot of work on your part! Would you mind sharing the Character cards as well as the Dective Notebook pages? We are just starting this novel in class and these things would be extremely helpful and very much appreciated. My email is jleggett444@gmail.com
    THANK YOU!

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  13. Oops..meant to type 'Detective'...typo!

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  14. Sarah, my daughter is is reading the Westing Game and I think it would be neat for her to see the character cards to see what the characters look like, etc. please let me know know. My email is smtf317@gmail.com

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  15. I would love to use this in my class. Would you be able to send me the information? Thank you, Catherine.
    My email is cquinonez@myway.com

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  16. These are awesome! I would love to use them. Sent a request.

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    1. glad you like them! I accepted the request on Google Docs :) enjoy!

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  17. Is there a way to access these? I'd love to use them for our upcoming unit. I sent a request on google docs. They are awesome! Thanks!

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  18. I'm with everyone else, these are amazing! Could I also get a copy of them sent to me. samlou512@gmail.com

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  19. I am planning to start The Westing Game next week with my sixth graders, The detective notebook and the character cards would be a perfect addition to my lesson! Could you please send a copy of each, it would be greatly appreciated! megcorbeille@yahoo.com

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  20. I would love to start the Westing Game with my 5th graders next week! The detective notebook and character cards are perfect tools to help them understand the plot! Can you please send me a copy of each to use? Thanks so much- akheimer@yahoo.com!

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    1. Hi, I am reading the Westing game and your cards are amazing could you please e-mail them to me thanks. :)

      Here's my E-mail adress: rhea0866@gmail.com

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  21. Could you possibly send the template to me at my school email?
    ealeylm@lcps.k12.va.us
    I am about to start this book with my 5th graders. Your blog is awesome, btw. Was just looking around. Great job! Thanks for your willingness to share with other teachers! =)~Lyndsay

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    1. Can I please have these attachments too??? I love your character cards and this will be the 1st time I am working with this book. Such fun opportunities for great projects with it.

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  22. I love these! My daughter is struggling through the book now and your ideas are fantastic! Do you have the templates you used that I could print? Especially the character cards? Awesome ideas--all of them! Thanks:) kxanthony@yahoo.com

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  23. These are great!!! Can you please send me the templates? I am starting this book next week with a few of my classes.
    taftyearbook@sbcglobal.net

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  24. Replies
    1. Can you also send a copy of the character cards to me? Email to kbaughcu@bellsouth.net - thanks.

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  25. Could you send a copy to me too? These look great. susan.yavorsky@gmail.com

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  26. Could I have a copy too? I've taught this book for a few years now and my students always have a hard time keeping everyone straight. My e-mail is eleinberger@trinitydelray.org
    Thanks!

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  27. I love the character cards and the clue cards! We are going to start this unit next week, and I know they would be a hit. Could I get a copy to use in my classroom? My email is laurelhudec@gmail.com. Thanks!

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  28. Could you please send this unit to me! Thank you sooooo much!
    Also, The Cay! Thank you!!!

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  29. Would love to receive your cards.

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  30. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  31. I would love copies of this! Just finishing up the book now! Thanks!

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    1. Send me an email and I can attach the documents. Mine is Wagner.sarahc@gmail.com

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  32. We are reading this book in class. Could I get a copy of the character cards and detective notebook? My email is altman@ctaz.com. Thanks!!

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  33. Hello,
    The detective book and character cards look great. Any chance I could also get a copy of these to use in my summer school program?
    Thanks,
    Sharon
    sharonholdvogt@gmail.com

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    1. Sharon--approved your request via good docs! Hope the kiddos enjoy!

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  34. Hi Sarah,

    Thank you for sharing your character cards on your blog. I was wondering if you would be willing to share your awesome character cards and detective notebook with me as well. I am new to teaching language arts at the middle school level and would love to use your materials. I have just sent a request as gwensilva@gmail.com.

    Thanks!

    Gwen

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  35. I am a first year 6th grade teacher and I will be teaching The Westing Game. I love what you have created! Could you send me a copy to my email, enna.emily@gmail.com? Thank you so much!

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  36. I am teaching a 5/6 combo this year and we're starting the year with the book. I would love a copy of your index card character card template. I sent a request via google docs. Thanks!! So cute!!
    Roseann

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  37. This is such a great idea! I sent a request through Google docs and would love to be able to use your character cards. Great work!

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  38. I have also sent a request thanks! LOVE IT!

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  39. This would be amazing! I am reading the book with my son and these would be so much help for him!

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  40. Hey there! I am teaching this book in my learning support class this year and your character cards and detective notebook would really help....could you send me the link or email them to me?? Thanks :)

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    1. Jessica-just accepted the request in Google docs :)

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  41. I love your resources for one of my favorite books. I send a request via Google Docs. Is it possible you could email the character templates as an attachmet at kcody@cnusd.k12.ca.us?

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    1. Kerry--approved on Google Docs and sent an attachment :)

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  42. Hello!
    I am about to begin reading this with my 6th graders. You have some awesome activities. Is there a way to download the documents? Thanks so much for sharing!

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  43. Hello!
    I am about to begin reading this with my 6th graders. You have some awesome activities. Is there a way to download the documents? Thanks so much for sharing!

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    1. I approved the request in Google Docs, hope you got it!

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  45. Hi there! Would love to access the docs thru Google! Love what you've done!!! :)

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  46. Hello!
    I'm just about to start this book with my 6th grade Girl Scout Book Club. The character cards are great, as well as the Detective notebook! My girls would love them. Is there a way I could download them?
    Thanks!
    alitrue@frontier.com

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  47. Just starting this book with the class. Would you be willing to email these to Kok_75@hotmail.com?

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  48. I sent you a request to access Google Docs to get your documents! I am extremely excited to use these during my student teaching experience!! When would I be able to get these and use them? I am so excited!

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    1. I just approved all the requests in my email today, so now! I wish you luck on your student teaching :)

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  49. I am getting ready to read this book with my students, and your activities look like they would be perfect for us. Would it be possible to download these? My email is brookeskiados@gmail.com. Thanks so much!

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  50. I love these activities!! Would it be possible to get a copy to use with my 5th graders? We are loving the book and this will really help! My email is ferg08011@gmail.com. Thanks you so much for your willingness to share.

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  51. Just sent a Google Docs request. I love your character cards and detective book, and I know that my students would benefit from them greatly! I am getting ready to start The Westing Game with my 7th grade class this week. My email is janicea.middleton@gmail.com. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  52. Hi I would love to have your character cards and detective notebook! I started it on friday with my 6th grade class so I would love to have them. :) I love your blog! You could send it to my school e-mail at killeenb@hudson.edu. Thanks so much-Beth Killeen

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  53. could you send me a link to download this! My email is mandisagirl14@gmail.com

    Thanks!

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  54. I would also like to have the cards and other aspects of this unit. austiano@bsdvt.org Thanks!

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  55. I am just about to start this novel with my 6th grade students. I would love to use the cards and other documents that you have created! Very creative! Lmoto87@yahoo.com

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  56. What an awesome site!! Great blog! I would LOVE to get a copy of the game cards you made! Could you could send them to lisa.wick@moundsviewschools.org?

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  57. I love this! Could I get a copy?

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  58. my e-mail is nmabra@ems-isd.net

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  59. You are awesome and so giving of your time. May I get a copy of materials used with the book? Thanks, Tracy My email is lazzlamb@yahoo.com. What a true artist you are!

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  60. I would love the resources if available. My email is airica32@yahoo.com

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  61. Dear Sarah,
    I am amazed at your prompt reply to almost every single request. You are truly amazing! I could not get the Character Card to print on correct format on Google doc. Could you email it to me instead? Thank you and may God bless you. ttran@stlaurence.org

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  62. Could you please send them to me? I'm getting ready to start this eith my son and love your ideas! Thanks so much! Rachelfauber@yahoo.com

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  63. Could I please get the downloads as well? In getting ready to use this book for a summer book club. Thanks in advance!

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  64. Hi. I am so excited to have found your website and information on The Westing Game. Would you be able to send me a copy of the character cards? We are getting ready to start our mystery unit in reading. THANKS IN ADVANCE!

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  65. oops, I forgot my email address: rayita001@yahoo.com

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  66. Greetings!
    I am just about to start this novel study with my 5th grade gifted students. I would love to use the cards and other documents that you have created! Very creative! If you don't mind to send them, my email address is: robert.winfree@cobbk12.org

    Thank you!

    Sincerely,

    Robert Winfree
    Gifted Education Specialist
    Austell Elementary School
    Cobb County, GA School District

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  67. Hello, I am looking at doing this novel for my grade 5/6 class! It looks like you have made some great documents. Is there any way that you could email me your documents! Thank you, Kayla Nakonechny.

    kayla.nakonechny@gmail.com

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  68. I'm not sure if you are still sharing these incredible documents or not. I am homeschooling for the first time this year and we are starting this book in the next week. If you are still willing to share could you please email them to leahmkraft@gmail.com. Thank you!!

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    1. Sorry I missed the pdf links the first time through. Thank you these are so great!!!!

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  69. I love the clues idea. Would you be able to send them to me?
    rootihausman@gmail.com

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  70. You have some great ideas, can you share with me?
    ahlenius@culver.k12.inus

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  71. sorry, ahlenius@culver.k12.in.us

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  72. I would love to have a copy of this as well. Thank you so much!!!! sreese@liberty.mvbt.k12.mo.us

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  73. I was able to print the detective notebook from your blob. I love it! I was wondering if you had an answer key that you created. If so, would you be willing to share?

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  74. I love this book and ALL of your great ideas!! Is it still possible to get the templates for all the great stuff you have? I am so excited to get this started! Thanks in advance!

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  75. I love this! Can you send the character cards to : sblair@forestareaschools.org ?

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  76. I would love to have the attachments sent also. I have just started a book club with our sixth graders, and we chose this novel. Thank you in advance!!!

    andersont@tripoli.k12.ia.us

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  77. Would you also be able to send the attachments to me? I am starting this book next week with my sixth grade class and I would love the materials.

    miannel@bgsu.edu

    Thank you!!!!

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    1. Everything is hyperlinked for your convenience. Just click on the links above and you will have free access to the detective notebook!

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  78. Good Morning! I came across your site and love what you have done here. I plan on starting this novel with my Gifted and Talented fourth grade class and would love your materials to use with my children if you still have them. Please email me at amyers002@horrycountyschools.net and audreyann127@gmail.com if you would (sometimes my school filter will not let new email addresses through!).

    Thank you so much!
    Audrey Myers

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  79. Everything is hyperlinked for your convenience. Just click on the links above and you will have free access to the detective notebook!

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