Locker 73 Mystery Worksheet
Special Halloween Case File Reading Level Support • Sub Day Plan
The Secret of Locker 73
Case #10-31
Estimated: 45-50 Min
Name:
Date:
Period:
Word Clues (Check these before you read!) Look for these words bolded in the story
corridor
A long hallway in a building.
flicker
To shine unsteadily or blink on and off.
silhouette
A dark shadow or outline of a figure.
investigate
To look closely to find facts or the truth.
The Mystery Passage Setting: Oakridge High • Oct 31, 4:45 PM
[1] It was 4:45 on Halloween afternoon. The hallways of Oakridge High were almost completely empty. Maya and Jordan stayed behind after the final bell to finish hanging orange and black streamers for the night’s Halloween dance. Outside, rain tapped against the tall gym windows, and cold autumn wind rattled the doors.
[2] "We have fifteen minutes before the doors lock," Jordan said, checking his watch. Just then, an overhead light began to flicker. A strange noise echoed down the North Hall: tap... tap... scrape. It sounded like fingernails against hollow metal.
[3] The North Hall was famous for one thing: Locker 73. School rumor claimed the locker had been welded shut thirty years ago after a student vanished into thin air on October 31st. Maya shook her head. "Ghosts do not exist, Jordan. It is probably just the heating pipes." Still, Jordan grabbed his phone flashlight to investigate.
[4] They tiptoed down the dark corridor. The air felt ice-cold near Locker 73. Suddenly, they stopped in their tracks. A tall silhouette stood right in front of the locker door. The dark shadow moved slowly, reaching out a long, thin object toward the metal vents. Maya gasped and jumped backward.
[5] "Who's there?" Jordan called out, trying to keep his voice steady. The shadow clicked on a yellow flashlight and turned around. It was not a ghost at all. It was Mr. Henderson, the retired science teacher! In his hands was a metal yardstick with a warm cloth wrapped around the end.
[6] "Maya! Jordan! Keep your voices down," Mr. Henderson whispered with a relieved sigh. "Barnaby, the science lab's red corn snake, slipped out of his terrarium this morning. He crawled into the warm air vent behind Locker 73. I have been tapping the pipes to guide him out before the heat turns off for the weekend!" Right on cue, a friendly, harmless red-striped head peeked out from the bottom vent. The mystery of Locker 73 was solved.
First Read Checkpoint Complete before turning to Page 2
1. Why were Maya and Jordan at school late?
2. What was the real cause of the scraping sound?
Independent Student Handout • Part II
Case Evidence & Comprehension Report
Score ____ / 25 Pts
A Case Facts & Text Evidence Fill in the circle next to the best answer
1. According to Paragraph 3, what was the school rumor about Locker 73?
A. It contained hidden treasure from 1950
B. A student vanished there 30 years ago
C. It was where old test keys were locked
2. Which detail proves that Jordan felt nervous when approaching the figure?
A. He hung orange streamers by the gym
B. He tried to keep his voice steady
C. He laughed at the tapping noise
3. Why was Barnaby attracted to the space behind Locker 73?
A. He was searching for food in the trash
B. The air vent provided warmth
C. He was frightened by thunder outside
4. What is the central tone of this Halloween story?
A. Pure horror and genuine danger
B. Suspenseful mystery with a playful relief
C. Sad and serious about school history
B Vocabulary Crime Lab Write the letter of the correct definition on each blank line
1. corridor
2. flicker
3. silhouette
4. investigate
A. An outline or dark shadow of someone.
B. To examine facts to find out what happened.
C. A hallway connecting rooms in a building.
D. To flash or shine on and off unevenly.
C Detective Analysis (Short Response) Use full sentences. Use evidence from the story.
Prompt: How did Maya's reaction to the rumor compare to Jordan's reaction? Use one piece of evidence from the text to support your answer.
Sentence Starter: Maya believed that ____________, while Jordan reacted by ____________.
Halloween Extra Credit Deduction +3 Bonus Pts
Why was it important that Mr. Henderson wrapped a warm cloth around the end of the yardstick? (Think about science and cold-blooded animals!)
Locker 73 Answer Key
Teacher & Sub Resource Confidential • For Instructor Use Only
Locker 73 Substitute Key
Oakridge High School
Halloween Class Period (45–50 Min)
Classroom Pacing Guide
- 00–05m: Attendance & review Word Clues.
- 05–20m: Read passage (independent/pairs).
- 20–40m: Complete Page 2 (Sec. A, B, C).
- 40–45m: Bonus challenge & packet collection.
Lexile Differentiation (300L–800L)
300L–500L: Pair students or choral read paragraphs 1–2 aloud. Emphasize the Word Clues box before reading.
500L–800L: Independent read. Encourage full-sentence responses on Section C and tackling the Extra Credit deduction.
Master Grading Key & Text Evidence Total Points: 25 Pts (+3 Bonus)
Page 1: First Read Checkpoint (4 Pts total - 2 pts each)
Q1. Why late at school?
Hanging streamers in the gym for the Halloween dance [Par. 1].
Q2. Cause of scraping sound?
Mr. Henderson tapping pipes to coax out Barnaby the corn snake [Par. 5-6].
Section A: Case Facts & Text Evidence (8 Pts total - 2 pts each)
1. Answer: B
Rumor: student vanished 30 yrs ago [Par. 3].
2. Answer: B
Jordan was "trying to keep his voice steady" [Par. 5].
3. Answer: B
Barnaby sought warmth from the air vent [Par. 6].
4. Answer: B
Suspense resolved with playful relief [Par. 6].
Section B: Vocabulary Crime Lab (4 Pts total - 1 pt each)
1. corridor → C
2. flicker → D
3. silhouette → A
4. investigate → B
Section C: Detective Analysis Rubric (9 Pts total) 3 pts Claim + 3 pts Evidence + 3 pts Full Sentence
Exemplar: "Maya believed that ghosts do not exist and dismissed the noise as pipes, while Jordan reacted by grabbing his flashlight to investigate down the hallway."
Accept student phrasing that accurately contrasts Maya's skepticism with Jordan's active investigation.
Section D: Halloween Extra Credit Key (+3 Bonus Points) Science Tie-In
Explanation: Snakes are cold-blooded ectotherms that rely on external heat sources. The warm cloth safely lured Barnaby toward the opening without harm.
Leave completed student packets in teacher mailbox in the front office. Thank you for covering Room 4B!
