Here you’ll find a variety of lesson plans, with one for each age group. Feel free to mix and match the activities that work best for your students. There’s also an alternative lesson plan at the end for even more flexibility.
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Pre-K Lesson Plan (Ages 3-4)
Learning Objectives
Identify and name basic colors.
Practice counting objects up to five.
Develop fine motor skills by handling clues.
Follow simple multi-step directions.
Materials
Papa & Paws® Doggie Detectives Book or Read-aloud video (Q&A section is optional but recommended! Not included in timing)
Procedure (30 minutes)
(5 mins) Introduction: Gather the children and ask if they've ever lost a toy. Introduce the idea of being 'detectives' who look for clues.
(10 mins) Story Time: Watch the read-aloud video of Papa & Paws® Doggie Detectives or read the book aloud Pause to ask questions like, 'What do you think they should do next?'
(10 mins) The Colorful Clue Hunt: Before the lesson, cut out paper 'paw prints' of different colors and hide them around the room. Give each child a magnifying glass and tell them the 'toy thief' left colorful clues. Have them hunt for the paw prints.
(5 mins) Case Closed: Once all prints are found, have the children sort them by color and count how many of each color they found. Celebrate solving the mystery!
Kindergarten Lesson Plan - Age 5
Learning Objectives
Retell a story in sequential order (beginning, middle, end).
Identify main characters and the central problem.
Make predictions about the story's outcome.
Practice cooperative learning skills.
Materials
Papa & Paws® Doggie Detectives Book or Read-aloud video
Procedure (40 - 60 minutes)
(5 mins) Warm-up: Ask students to predict what a story about missing toys might be about. Write down their ideas on chart paper under 'Predictions'.
(10 mins) Investigation Begins: Watch the read-aloud video. Ask them to pay close attention to the order of events.
(15 mins) Story Sequencing: As a group, recall the main events of the story. Write or draw three main parts on the board: the toys go missing (Beginning), the pups look for clues (Middle), and they find the surprising solution (End). Give students paper to draw one part of the story.
(10 mins) Sharing Our Findings: Have students share their drawings and help place them in the correct sequence to retell the story visually.
(20 mins) Optional Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author's Q&A video with the class. After the video, lead a discussion. Explain that the author answered questions from other kids, and now it's their turn to think like reporters. Prompt them with: 'If you could talk to the author, what is one new question you would ask about the puppies or about being a writer?' List their questions on the board.
1st Grade Lesson Plan - Age 6
Learning Objectives
Describe characters' feelings and motivations.
Retell the story's beginning, middle, and end.
Write simple sentences to record clues and observations.
Understand the concept of teamwork in problem-solving.
Materials
Papa & Paws® Doggie Detectives Book or Read-aloud video
Procedure (40-60) minutes
(10 mins) Becoming Detectives: Hand out 'Detective Notebooks' and pencils. Have students write their names on them. Discuss what a detective does: look for clues, ask questions, and write things down.
(15 mins) Watch the Read-Aloud: Instruct students to watch the video and listen for clues. They can pretend to jot down notes in their notebooks.
(15 mins) Record the Evidence: After the story, guide students in writing or drawing three key clues from the book in their notebooks. For each clue, they should write one sentence, such as 'The clue was a red string.'
(20 mins) Optional Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author's Q&A video. Afterward, facilitate a think-pair-share. Ask students to turn to a partner and discuss a new question they have for the author about how he or she created the mystery. Share some of the best questions with the class.
2nd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 7
Learning Objectives
Identify the main problem and solution in a story.
Analyze how characters work together to solve a problem.
Use evidence from the text to support ideas.
Write a short, creative mystery story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Materials
Papa & Paws® Doggie Detectives Book or Read-aloud video
Procedure (45-65 minutes)
(10 mins) Story Analysis: Before watching, discuss the elements of a mystery: a puzzle, clues, detectives, and a solution. Ask students to look for these elements in the story.
(15 mins) Watch the Read-Aloud: Students watch the video, paying attention to the plot structure.
(15 mins) Map the Mystery: As a class students identify the characters, setting, problem, key events (clues), and solution. Put the answers on the chart paper or whiteboard.
(25 mins) Optional Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author's Q&A video. Post-viewing, challenge students to formulate 'why' or 'how' questions for the author, encouraging deeper thinking about the writing process. For example: 'Why did you choose dogs as detectives?' or 'How did you come up with the surprise solution?'
Alternative Lesson Plan - Ages 3 - 7
Learning Objectives
Practice communication and collaboration skills.
Engage in creative, dramatic play.
Follow multi-step directions to solve a problem.
Develop critical thinking and observation skills.
Materials
Papa & Paws® Doggie Detectives Book or Read-aloud video
A special classroom item to 'go missing' (e.g., a class mascot plush toy)
Picture clue cards (teacher-made)
Procedure (35 - 55 minutes)
(10 mins) The Mystery Begins!: Announce that the class mascot is missing! Show the 'empty' spot where it usually sits. Ask the children to become detectives to solve the case.
(15 mins) Watch the Read-Aloud: Watch the video for inspiration. Tell the students to see how the Paws puppies worked together, because they will need to do the same.
(10 mins) The Hunt is On!: Give the group the first picture clue, which leads to the location of the second clue, and so on. Encourage older children to help younger children decipher the pictures. The final clue leads to the hidden mascot.
(20 mins) Optional Author Q&A Exploration: After solving the classroom mystery, watch the author's Q&A video. Lead a group discussion focusing on curiosity. Ask: 'What part of the story or the author's job makes you the most curious? What question would you ask to learn more about it?' This helps children of different ages articulate their curiosity.