Monkey Mystery Worksheet Junior Detective Agency Case File #04 • Zoo Mystery Division
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"CLICK!" Photographic Memory Challenge
Cam Jansen & the Mystery at the Monkey House
Chapter 3 & 4 Reading Comprehension • Detective Clue Dossier
Chapter Focus Ch. 3 & 4
Detective Instructions: Read each question carefully and use your sharp reader eyes to find text clues from Chapter 3. Answer in complete sentences where indicated!
Part 1
Chapter 3 Clue Spotting (Multiple Choice)
What sound does Cam say out loud when she wants her memory to take a "photograph"?
A "Snap!"
B "Flash!"
C "Click!"
D "Zoom!"
Why are Cam and Eric investigating at the monkey house at the zoo?
A Monkeys have been mysteriously stolen from their cages.
B They are doing a school science project on chimpanzees.
C The zookeeper lost the key to the monkey house front door.
D A mischievous monkey snatched Cam's red jacket.
Part 2
Chapter 3 Detective Notebook (Short Answer)
Explain how Cam's photographic memory works. What does she do with her eyes, and why is her nickname "Cam"?
In Chapter 3, what details does Cam try to remember about the people near the monkey house? Why is noticing small details important in a mystery?
Cam's Detective Tip: "Look once, look twice, and say CLICK to store clues in your brain!"
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Cam Jansen Dossier Chapter 4 Investigation & Clue Match
Student Name:
Part 3
Chapter 4 Suspects & Tracking (Multiple Choice)
How does Eric help Cam while she has her eyes closed reviewing her mental pictures?
A He asks specific questions to guide what she looks for.
B He wanders off alone into the reptile exhibit.
C He calls the zoo director on a payphone immediately.
D He draws a map of the zoo monkey cages.
What suspicious behavior makes someone stand out to the detectives at the zoo?
A Taking pictures of the zoo entrance flower garden.
B Carrying heavy, bulky items away from the animal cages.
C Eating lunch peacefully on the picnic tables.
D Checking the scheduled feeding times on the map.
Part 4
Chapter 4 Detective Thinking (Short Answer)
Why is teamwork important between Cam and Eric? Describe one specific way Eric supports Cam during their investigation.
Detective Prediction: Based on the clues in Chapters 3 and 4, where do you think the detectives should search next? Give a reason from the text.
Bonus
Mystery Vocabulary Match-Up
Write the correct letter (A–D) in each bracket
Word Bank:
A. Photographic Memory
B. Suspect
C. Text Evidence
D. Clue
[ ] A piece of information or object that helps solve a mystery.
[ ] The ability to recall past scenes with high visual detail like a photo.
[ ] A person who police or detectives believe may have committed a crime.
[ ] Specific facts and quotes from the book that prove your answer.
✓ Case Dossier Verified • Cam Jansen Detective Club Official Resource
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Monkey Clue Question Cards Literacy Center Task Cards • Cut Along Dashed Lines
Set A • Chapter 3 Focus
Card 01 • Chapter 3
The "CLICK!" Memory Trick
In Chapter 3, Cam uses her photographic memory. Describe step-by-step what Cam does with her eyes, face, and voice when she needs to remember something.
Partner Discussion Prompt:
"Why do you think David A. Adler gave Cam this special ability instead of making her a regular detective?"
Cam Jansen Mystery Series Reading Strategy: Character Traits
Card 02 • Chapter 3
The Monkey House Scene
Describe the setting of the monkey house in Chapter 3. What sights, sounds, or crowds do Cam and Eric observe around the animal enclosures?
Text Evidence Question:
"Find one sentence in Chapter 3 that describes what the monkey cage looks like or how the monkeys are behaving."
Cam Jansen Mystery Series Reading Strategy: Setting Details
Card 03 • Chapter 3
The Missing Clues
Why is the disappearance of the monkeys so baffling to the zoo staff? What makes Cam and Eric realize this is not an accident?
Detective Logic:
"Could a monkey have unlocked the door itself? Explain why or why not based on what the story tells us."
Cam Jansen Mystery Series Reading Strategy: Cause & Effect
Card 04 • Detective Game
The "Click!" Partner Challenge
Test your own photographic memory! Look at your partner or the classroom for 10 seconds. Say "CLICK!" and close your eyes.
Memory Quiz:
"Partner: Ask 3 questions about what you are wearing (e.g., shoe color, shirt design). Can your partner get all 3 right?"
Cam Jansen Mystery Series Skill: Observation & Recall
✂ Card Set 1 (Cards 1–4) • Print on cardstock or laminate for reuse
Literacy Center Task Cards • Cut Along Dashed Lines
Set B • Chapter 4 Focus
Card 05 • Chapter 4
Tracking the Suspect
In Chapter 4, Cam and Eric begin following clues around the zoo. What suspicious person or action catches their attention?
Text Clue Spotter:
"What object was the suspect carrying, or what direction were they heading? Check Chapter 4 for proof!"
Cam Jansen Mystery Series Reading Strategy: Plot Sequencing
Card 06 • Chapter 4
Eric: The Super Partner
Cam has the photographic memory, but how does Eric contribute to solving the mystery in Chapter 4?
Character Comparison:
"Name two ways Eric supports Cam when she has her eyes closed or needs to check details."
Cam Jansen Mystery Series Reading Strategy: Character Relationships
Card 07 • Chapter 4
Crack the Case Prediction
At the end of Chapter 4, what is the biggest unanswered question facing the detectives? What do you predict they will discover in Chapter 5?
Detective Deduction:
"Use at least one clue from Chapter 3 or 4 to defend your prediction."
Cam Jansen Mystery Series Reading Strategy: Making Inferences
Card 08 • Creative Lab
Be the Mystery Author!
If you were writing this mystery, what sneaky hideout or getaway vehicle would you invent for the monkey thief at the zoo?
Creative Writing Challenge:
"Describe the hideout in 2 sentences. How would Cam discover it using her photographic memory?"
Cam Jansen Mystery Series Skill: Creative Synthesis & Writing
✂ Card Set 2 (Cards 5–8) • Print on cardstock or laminate for reuse
Monkey Mystery Answer Key Teacher Reference Guide Master Solution Key & Instructional Notes
Official Educator Key
Cam Jansen & the Mystery at the Monkey House
Chapters 3 & 4 Comprehension Master Key
Target Grades: 2–4
Quick Check
Multiple Choice & Matching Solutions
Question 1 C "Click!" sound
Question 2 A Monkeys stolen
Question 5 A Asks guiding questions
Question 6 B Heavy/bulky items
Part 5 Matching: [ D ] Clue [ A ] Photographic Memory [ B ] Suspect [ C ] Text Evidence
Exemplars
Short Answer Model Responses & Scoring Guidance
Q3: Cam's Photographic Memory Explanation 2 Points Possible
Model Student Response: Cam looks intently at what she wants to remember, closes her eyes, and says "Click!" like a camera shutter. Her real name is Jennifer, but she is nicknamed "Cam" because her brain records images like a camera.
✓ Criteria: Mentions saying "Click!", closing eyes, and connecting her nickname to a camera.
Q4: Observing Details in Chapter 3 2 Points Possible
Model Student Response: Cam tries to recall who was standing by the cages, what clothes they wore, and what bags or containers they held. Paying attention to small details is crucial because thieves often carry tools or disguise stolen items.
✓ Criteria: Identifies specific crowd details (clothing, bags) and explains how clues eliminate or identify suspects.
Q7: Teamwork Between Cam and Eric 2 Points Possible
Model Student Response: Cam cannot solve mysteries alone because when she closes her eyes to look at her mental picture, she cannot see what is currently happening. Eric guides her by asking specific questions, writing notes, and keeping watch.
✓ Criteria: Explains mutual cooperation and gives a concrete example of Eric's support.
Q8: Detective Prediction for Next Steps 2 Points Possible
Acceptable Student Variations: Students may suggest searching near zoo exits, the parking lot, suspicious vehicles, or checking who bought tickets or carried crates. Accept any logical response supported by Chapter 4 events.
✓ Criteria: Logical deduction tied to text evidence from Chapters 3–4.
Common Student Misconceptions & Reading Strategy Tips
Misconception: Students often think Cam's memory is magic. Explain that photographic memory (eidetic memory) is a real cognitive ability, but Cam still has to practice observing intentionally.
Extension Idea: Pair students up with the Task Cards in Set 1 & 2 for a 15-minute rotation before having them write individual answers on the worksheet.
Cam Jansen and the Mystery at the Monkey House • Chapters 3 & 4 Master Key Designed for Elementary Literacy Centers
