Story Sleuths Worksheet
Reading Detective Agency • Case File #301
Story Sleuths Worksheet
Detective:
Date:
1. Make Inferences Text Clues + My Brain
2. Predict Guess What’s Next
3. Summarize Main Story Points
Case Evidence: The Mystery in the Treetop
Fiction • 165 Words
Leo zipped his fleece jacket tight against the brisk October wind and scrambled up the wooden ladder into his backyard treehouse. Yesterday afternoon, he had left his grandfather’s brass pocket compass resting on the cedar craft table. Now, the table was completely bare—except for three strange clues: a silver acorn cap, a tuft of gray fur, and a neat little pile of sunflower seeds.
Suddenly, a quick scratch-scratch sound came from the rafters above. Leo held his breath and froze. Two bright, glossy black eyes peeked out from behind an old bundle of dried oak leaves. A long, fluffy gray tail twitched with nervous energy.
The tiny bandit let out a sharp “chitter-chitter!” then dropped a shiny foil gum wrapper right onto Leo’s notebook. In a flash, the creature leaped through the open window frame and scurried straight toward the hollow trunk of the giant maple tree.
Part 1
Clue Detective: Making Inferences
(Use clues from the story + your own knowledge)
1. Who is the "tiny bandit" that visited Leo’s treehouse? What clues in the text helped you figure it out?
Clues from the text:
My Inference (Animal):
2. Why did the creature take the brass compass and leave a gum wrapper? Explain what this tells you about the visitor.
Turn over for Part 2 & Part 3 Page 1 of 2
Story Sleuths Case File #301 (Continued)
Detective Name:
Part 2
Crystal Ball: Making Predictions
3. Predict what Leo will discover if he brings a flashlight and climbs down to inspect the hollow trunk of the maple tree. What specific detail from the story makes you think so?
My Prediction (What happens next):
Story Clue that supports my prediction:
Part 3
Case Wrap-Up: Summarizing the Story
Complete the detective formula below to summarize the main elements of the case.
Somebody Who is the main character?
Wanted What did they want?
But What was the problem?
So How did they investigate?
Then What was found?
4. Write a 2-to-3 sentence summary using your clues from the chart above:
Detective Badge Check
Check off the reading strategies you completed today:
Inference Prediction Summary
Mastering Grade 3 Reading Standards: RL.3.1 (Evidence & Inferences), RL.3.2 (Recount & Summarize) Page 2 of 2
Story Sleuths Answer Key
Reading Detective Agency • Case File #301 Teacher Answer Key
Story Sleuths Answer Key & Guide
Grade 3 Reading Standards: RL.3.1, RL.3.2 Total Score: /10 Pts
Part 1: Inferences (4 Pts) Text Clues + Prior Knowledge
Part 2: Prediction (2 Pts) Plausible Future Action
Part 3: Summarizing (4 Pts) SWBST + 2-3 Sentences
Annotated Story Evidence: "The Mystery in the Treetop"
Key Clues for Quick Reference
Leo zipped his fleece jacket tight... grandfather’s brass pocket compass was gone. Clues left behind: silver acorn cap, tuft of gray fur, and sunflower seeds.
Sound & description: scratch-scratch sound in rafters; glossy black eyes, long, fluffy gray tail.
Action: creature made “chitter-chitter!” sound, dropped a shiny foil gum wrapper, and scurried to the hollow trunk of the giant maple tree.
Part 1
Exemplar Answers: Making Inferences (RL.3.1)
1. Who is the "tiny bandit" that visited Leo’s treehouse? What clues helped you figure it out?
2 Points
Clues from the text (Accept any 2+):
- Acorn cap, sunflower seeds, gray fur
- Long, fluffy gray tail & glossy black eyes
- "Chitter-chitter!" sound & tree hollow
My Inference (Animal):
A squirrel (gray squirrel)
Teacher Note: Also accept "chipmunk" if student cites seeds/chittering, but guide toward squirrel due to gray fur, fluffy tail, and high treehouse rafters.
2. Why did the creature take the brass compass and leave a gum wrapper? Explain what this tells you.
2 Points
Exemplar Student Response:
The creature took the compass and left the wrapper because it is attracted to shiny, metallic objects. Both brass and foil sparkle in the light. This tells us the squirrel is curious and likes collecting shiny treasures for its nest, swapping or dropping one item when it spots another.
1 Pt: Connects brass & foil as shiny/sparkly. 1 Pt: Explains animal's hoarding/curious behavior.
Common Misconception Alert: Students often guess a human burglar because of the word "bandit." Prompt them to revisit the physical clues (fur, tail, acorns, seeds) and explain that authors use metaphors ("tiny bandit") to describe animals playfully.
Story Sleuths Teacher Guide • Case File #301 Page 1 of 2
Story Sleuths Answer Key (Continued)
Parts 2 & 3: Predictions & Summarizing (RL.3.1, RL.3.2)
Part 2
Exemplar Answers: Making Predictions
2 Points Total
3. Predict what Leo will discover in the hollow trunk of the maple tree. What story detail makes you think so?
Exemplar Prediction (1 Pt):
Leo will find a squirrel's nest/cache containing his grandfather’s missing brass pocket compass along with stored nuts, seeds, and other shiny trinkets.
Supporting Story Clue (1 Pt):
The story states the creature "scurried straight toward the hollow trunk of the giant maple tree" after dropping the wrapper, showing that is where it lives or hides items.
Part 3
Exemplar Answers: Summarizing with SWBST (RL.3.2)
4 Points Total
SWBST Graphic Organizer Key (2 Points - 0.4 pts each):
Somebody
Wanted
But
So
Then
Leo, a boy visiting his backyard treehouse.
Wanted to find his grandfather’s brass pocket compass.
It vanished, leaving only seeds, fur, and an acorn cap.
He watched silently as a squirrel dropped a gum wrapper.
The squirrel fled into a hollow maple tree where the compass is hidden.
4. Written Summary Models (2 Points): 2-to-3 complete sentences
Proficient Model (Full Credit):
"When Leo found his grandfather’s brass compass missing from his treehouse, he searched for clues. He discovered that a sneaky gray squirrel had taken the shiny compass and fled into a hollow maple tree. Now Leo knows where to look to get his treasure back."
Criteria: Names main character (Leo), problem (missing compass), and resolution/lead (squirrel fled to tree). Word Count: ~45 words
Scoring Breakdown Guide (10 Points Total)
Inferences (Q1-2): 4 Pts • Identifies animal correctly with 2+ text details (2 pts) • Explains shiny attraction & animal trait (2 pts)
Prediction (Q3): 2 Pts • Predicts finding compass/nest in tree cavity (1 pt) • Cites squirrel scurrying to hollow trunk (1 pt)
Summary (Q4): 4 Pts • SWBST chart completed accurately (2 pts) • 2-3 sentence summary combines main points (2 pts)
Teacher Debrief Prompt
Ask: "How did using the SWBST chart make writing your summary easier than just retelling every single sentence?"
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.2
Story Sleuths Reading Comprehension Series • Teacher Evaluation Guide Page 2 of 2
