Locker Mystery Passage Worksheet
Case File #73 • Reading Detective
8th Grade ELA • Evidence-Based Reading
Name: Date: Period:
UNWRAP Reading Strategy Checklist Follow each step as you investigate!
U Underline Title
N Number Paras
W Walk Questions
R Read Twice
A Answer Items
P Prove Evidence
Fiction Mystery Passage • Part 1
The Mystery of Locker 73
Step U: Underline this title & predict below!
Para #
Read:
Jordan and Maya walked down the quiet hallway after their robotics club meeting. The afternoon sun was setting, casting long gray shadows across the lockers. When they passed the main trophy display case, Maya suddenly froze and gasped. The glass door was swinging wide open, and the royal blue velvet pillow inside was completely empty. Bolt, the school's legendary robotic golden falcon mascot, was missing! Tomorrow morning was the regional pep rally, and the team's prized mascot had vanished without a trace.
Para #
Read:
"Someone took Bolt!" Maya whispered, turning on her small pocket flashlight. She pointed the bright beam toward the floor tiles near the double gym doors. "Jordan, look right there." A thin trail of glowing green motor oil was smeared along the shiny floor. In the quiet hall, a faint metallic clicking sound echoed from the dark corner by the auditorium: tick-click, whirr, tick-click. Jordan felt his heart thump against his ribs. Whoever had taken Bolt was still inside the school building.
Para #
Read:
The two friends tiptoed together past the water fountains, following the drops of green grease. The clicking sound grew louder with every slow step they took. Suddenly, the grease trail stopped directly in front of Locker 73. Jordan stared at the battered blue locker in disbelief. Every student at Oak Creek Middle School knew the legends about Locker 73. Its rusty lock had been welded shut since 1995, and teachers told everyone to never touch it.
Para #
Read:
"Why would the clues lead here?" Jordan asked in a quiet voice. Maya leaned closer and noticed something startling. The old rusted padlock was not locked at all. Four numbers were freshly scratched into the brass dial: 1-0-2-4. Maya carefully placed her fingers on the dial and aligned each number. Click! The heavy latch popped open on its own, and a gust of cool, shadowy air blew right into their faces.
Detective Evidence Pad (UNWRAP Step U & Clue Tracker) Turn to Page 2 to discover what is inside Locker 73!
Step U Prediction: Who or what do you think is inside Locker 73?
Text Clues: Write 2 clues from Paragraphs 2 & 3 that helped Jordan & Maya:
Case File #73 • Part 2: The Secret Revealed
Continue UNWRAP Step N: Number the remaining paragraphs!
Oak Creek Middle School Mystery
Para #
Read:
Jordan gently pulled the heavy locker door open. To their complete shock, there were no rusted metal shelves or forgotten textbooks inside. The back wall of the locker was completely missing! Instead, the opening led into a hidden maintenance passageway tucked behind the auditorium stage. Small golden sparks flickered softly in the dim light ahead, and the clicking sound was joined by a low electronic humming noise.
Para #
Read:
The students peeked cautiously around the wooden doorway. Sitting at a large workbench under a bright desk lamp was Mr. Henderson, the eighth grade robotics coach! In his hand was a small magnetic screwdriver. On the table rested Bolt the Falcon. Mr. Henderson was carefully attaching sleek, gold-tipped wings and glowing violet LED eyes to the robot's shiny metal body. He turned around and gave the shocked students a warm, friendly grin.
Para #
Read:
"I did not mean to frighten you two," Mr. Henderson laughed, wiping green gear oil off his fingers with a shop towel. "Bolt's main motor jammed during our practice run. I needed a quiet spot to install high-speed turbo gears to surprise everyone at tomorrow's pep rally!" Bolt flapped his brand-new wings and gave a cheerful electronic beep. Jordan and Maya let out a huge breath of relief. Their mascot was safe, and the mystery of Locker 73 was solved.
Detective Case Debrief • Graphic Organizer
Record key story elements before answering questions!
Setting & Characters:
Where does the story happen, and who investigates?
The Mystery & Problem:
What went missing before the pep rally?
The Critical Clue:
What was found on the padlock of Locker 73?
The True Resolution:
Who had Bolt and what was the surprise?
Ready for Questions? Turn to Page 3 to complete UNWRAP Steps W, A, and P and slash the trash answers! Page 3 Next
Case File #73 • UNWRAP Steps A & P
Comprehension Questions & Evidence Verification
Name: Total: /5
Test-Taking Strategy: Slash the 2 TRASH Answers!
Every question below has 2 silly TRASH answers. Draw a slash line ( / ) through both trash answers first, write your paragraph evidence number, and circle your final answer!
Slash 2 • Pick 1
1. According to Paragraph 1, what major mystery do Jordan and Maya discover? Evidence: Para # [ ]
A. Bolt the robotic mascot has vanished from the display case.
B. A family of purple dancing bears moved into the hallway.
C. Maya accidentally locked her backpack inside the science lab.
D. The cafeteria ceiling began raining hot strawberry milkshakes.
2. In Paragraph 2 and 3, what two clues lead the students toward Locker 73? Evidence: Para # [ ]
A. A marching band playing trumpets and a flashing neon sign.
B. A trail of green motor grease and a faint metallic clicking sound.
C. A dropped map of Oak Creek Middle School with red circles.
D. A trail of hot buttered popcorn scattered across the gym floor.
3. In Paragraph 4 and 5, why are Jordan and Maya stunned when they open Locker 73? Evidence: Para # [ ]
A. The locker is packed entirely full of wild talking parrots.
B. The back wall is gone and opens into a hidden back passageway.
C. The locker contains an empty backpack covered in old cobwebs.
D. The locker shoots giant fireworks straight through the roof.
4. According to Paragraph 6 and 7, why did Mr. Henderson take Bolt to the secret room? Evidence: Para # [ ]
A. To install high-speed turbo gears and new wings for the pep rally.
B. To launch the robot rocket into orbit around the moon.
C. To paint the robot bright orange so nobody would ever recognize it.
D. To teach the robot how to play drums in the school cafeteria.
5. In Paragraph 7, how do Jordan and Maya feel at the very end of the story? Evidence: Para # [ ]
A. Furious, because Mr. Henderson gave them detention for being late.
B. Relieved and happy, because they laughed and Bolt was safe.
C. Terrified, because a flying alien spaceship landed on the roof.
D. Exhausted, because they had to run thirty miles across the desert.
UNWRAP Evidence Verification:
Numbered Paras (1-7) Slashed 2 Trash Answers Each Wrote Paragraph Proofs
Case Closed!
Locker Mystery Answer Key
Teacher Answer Key • Case File #73
The Mystery of Locker 73 • UNWRAP Instructional Guide
Master Key & Evidence Special Education / Tier 2 ELA
Quick-Glance Answer & Evidence Key Verify both the correct letter and the paragraph citation!
Question 1 A Para #1
Question 2 B Para #2 & 3
Question 3 B Para #4 & 5
Question 4 A Para #6 & 7
Question 5 B Para #7
UNWRAP Step N: 7-Paragraph Text Evidence Map
Para 1 • The Problem:
Bolt the robotic golden falcon mascot vanishes from the trophy case right before the pep rally.
Para 2 • The First Clues:
Maya shines a flashlight and finds glowing green grease + metallic clicking sounds (tick-click, whirr).
Para 3 • Locker 73:
Trail leads directly to Locker 73, an infamous locker believed to have been welded shut since 1995.
Para 4 • The Code:
Padlock is unlocked; combination 1-0-2-4 is scratched on the dial; door opens with a rush of cool air.
Para 5 • The Secret Passageway:
Back wall of Locker 73 is missing, revealing a secret door into a maintenance hallway behind the stage.
Para 6 • The Culprit / Surprise:
Coach Mr. Henderson is discovered at a workbench installing sleek gold wings and purple LEDs on Bolt.
Para 7 • The Resolution:
Coach explains the motor jammed and he installed turbo gears for the pep rally. Students laugh with relief; mascot is safe.
Model Responses: Written Organizers (Pages 1 & 2)
Page 1 • Step U Prediction:
"I predict a student or teacher hid the mascot inside the old locker as a prank." (Accept any logical prediction based on title).
Page 1 • Text Clues (Paras 2-3):
"1. Green motor oil smeared on tiles. 2. A metallic clicking / whirring sound coming from the corner."
Page 2 • Setting & Characters:
"Oak Creek Middle School hallway after robotics club. Characters: Jordan, Maya, and Mr. Henderson."
Page 2 • Problem & Resolution:
"Problem: Bolt the mascot disappeared. Resolution: Coach fixed Bolt's motor with turbo gears for the pep rally."
Teacher Tip: Prompt students to point directly to paragraph numbers during whole-group and small-group review. Page 1 of 2
Trash Answer Elimination Rationale • Page 2
Detailed Analysis of Correct Answers, Distractors, and Trash Options
Test-Taking Strategy Guide
1. Problem in Paragraph 1 Correct: A • Evidence: Para #1
[A] CORRECT: Text states:
