Detective Clues Slides Case File #501 Reading Comprehension Investigation
Evidence Protocol
The 5 Ws & How Strategy
Reading Detectives
Interrogate any narrative or informational excerpt to uncover the essential facts: Who, What, When, Why, and How.
WHO
The Subject
WHAT
The Action
WHEN
The Time
WHY
The Cause
HOW
The Method
The Detective's Interrogation Kit
Core Targets
WHO
The Subject
Who performs the action or experiences the event?
Names, roles, or creatures
WHAT
The Action
What happened, succeeded, broke, or changed?
Main verbs and outcomes
WHEN
The Time
At what exact moment, season, hour, or era?
Clocks, dates, and times
WHY
The Cause
What motive, goal, or problem caused this?
“Because,” “in order to”
HOW
The Method
By what process, tool, or specific steps?
“By using,” “through”
Detective Mandate: Prove every fact with direct textual evidence from the excerpt. Text Evidence First
Signal Words: The Clue Markers
Spotting Transitions
Unlocking WHY (Reason & Purpose)
Authors embed reasons before or after key actions using causal transitions:
because Explains direct reasons or triggers
in order to Signals deliberate goals or missions
fearing / driven by Reveals internal emotional motives
Unlocking HOW (Method & Tools)
Authors explain the mechanism or technique used to accomplish the goal:
by [verb]-ing Names specific physical actions
using / with Identifies instruments or tools
through [process] Highlights multi-stage procedures
Detective Secret: Circle the clue words on your worksheet before writing down your answers!
Guided Model
Case #02: Deep-Sea Glow (Informational)
Whole-Class Analysis
“In the pitch-black waters of the midnight zone, nearly 3,000 feet beneath the Pacific surface, the female anglerfish hunts in total darkness. To lure curious prey in an environment devoid of sunlight, she glows using bioluminescence, producing light through a specialized chemical reaction fueled by billions of symbiotic bacteria living inside the glowing lure atop her head.”
WHO
Female anglerfish
(and bacteria)
WHAT
Hunts with bioluminescence
Lures deep prey
WHEN
In the midnight zone
3,000 ft deep
WHY
To attract prey in the dark
No sunlight exists
HOW
Bacteria chemical reaction
Head lure organ
Every detail links directly back to a factual phrase in the original excerpt.
Investigation Orders: Independent Practice
Status: ACTIVE
1. Read Twice
First read for the big picture. Second read with your detective eye for specific clues.
2. Hunt Clues
Locate signal words and specific facts that answer Who, What, When, Why, and How.
3. Complete Grids
Record your findings neatly in your Case File Worksheet using concise, accurate phrases.
Independent Investigation Time: 18 Minutes
Complete Excerpts 3 through 7 on Pages 2 and 3 of your Case Packet.
Level: Solo Detective
Case Investigation Worksheet Special Investigation Unit
WH Question Detectives
Extracting Who, What, When, Why, and How Across Mixed Genres
Detective:
Date: Period:
1. WHO?
Person, creature, group
2. WHAT?
Action, event, outcome
3. WHEN?
Time, date, season, era
4. WHY?
Motive, cause, purpose
5. HOW?
Tool, process, method
Do Now Case #01 • Narrative Fiction
Warm-Up (4 Minutes)
“At 11:42 PM on a rainy Tuesday, young inventor Leo heard the shrill steam whistle echo across Willow Creek. Fearing the old bridge had collapsed under the flash flood, Leo strapped on his headlight and sprinted through the mud to wave his red emergency lantern, successfully signaling the oncoming midnight freight train to halt just thirty feet before the washed-out tracks.”
WHO:
WHAT:
WHEN:
WHY:
HOW:
Guided Model Case #02 • Informational Science
Whole-Class Walkthrough
“In the pitch-black waters of the midnight zone, nearly 3,000 feet beneath the Pacific surface, the female anglerfish hunts in total darkness. To lure curious prey in an environment devoid of sunlight, she glows using bioluminescence, producing light through a specialized chemical reaction fueled by billions of symbiotic bacteria living inside the glowing lure atop her head.”
WHO:
WHAT:
WHEN:
WHY:
HOW:
WH Detective Dossier • Investigative Reading Page 1 of 3
Independent Practice Part A • Detective Case Files
Name:
Directions: Read each excerpt carefully. Circle signal words, then record text-based evidence for each question.
Case #03 Maya's Rover Rescue • Narrative Fiction
Sci-Fi Adventure
“Just before dawn on the dusty plains of Sector 7, mechanic Maya discovered that Rover Beta’s solar charging arm was jammed by coarse red sand. Knowing the scientific crew would lose vital weather data if battery power died during the morning storm, Maya recalibrated the robotic elbow using a handheld ultrasonic pulse tool, freeing the locked gears and restoring power in minutes.”
WHO:
WHAT:
WHEN:
WHY:
HOW:
Case #04 The Great Molasses Flood • Informational History
Historical Nonfiction
“On the warm afternoon of January 15, 1919, a colossal steel storage tank burst in the North End of Boston, releasing 2.3 million gallons of crude molasses. The catastrophe occurred because the tank had been poorly constructed and the unusually high temperature caused the fermenting syrup to expand rapidly. The sticky 25-foot wave surged through the streets at 35 miles per hour, destroying buildings and toppling the elevated railway.”
Mars Mission Exit Ticket Exit Ticket Case #08 • Mars Rover Touchdown
Name: Date:
Investigation Check: Read the informational brief and identify all five core facts.
“On February 18, 2021, NASA engineers at Mission Control cheered as the Perseverance rover safely touched down inside Jezero Crater on Mars. To ensure the 2,260-pound rover survived entry without smashing into Martian boulders, engineers executed the daring ‘sky crane’ maneuver, decelerating the descent stage with rocket thrusters and lowering the rover on nylon tethers during the final twelve seconds of landing.”
WHO:
WHAT:
WHEN:
WHY:
HOW:
Detective Self-Confidence: ○ Novice ○ Competent ○ Master Investigator Score: / 5
Cut Along Line for Two Classroom Slips
Exit Ticket Case #08 • Mars Rover Touchdown
Name: Date:
Investigation Check: Read the informational brief and identify all five core facts.
“On February 18, 2021, NASA engineers at Mission Control cheered as the Perseverance rover safely touched down inside Jezero Crater on Mars. To ensure the 2,260-pound rover survived entry without smashing into Martian boulders, engineers executed the daring ‘sky crane’ maneuver, decelerating the descent stage with rocket thrusters and lowering the rover on nylon tethers during the final twelve seconds of landing.”
WHO:
WHAT:
WHEN:
WHY:
HOW:
Detective Self-Confidence: ○ Novice ○ Competent ○ Master Investigator Score: / 5
Overnight Cases Homework Homework Assignment Independent Case Review
Overnight Investigation Dossier
Identify Who, What, When, Why, and How Across Narrative & Informational Excerpts
Detective:
Due Date: Period:
Mission: Read each case file below. Underline evidence in the text, then record precise answers.
10 Total Points
Case #09 The Lighthouse Keeper's Signal • Narrative Fiction
Coastal Drama
“At 3:15 AM amid dense sea fog, veteran lighthouse keeper Donald discovered that the primary beacon bulb on Beacon Rock had burnt out. With the cargo ship Northern Star sounding its foghorn dangerously close to the jagged reef, Donald climbed 140 spiral iron stairs with a spare quartz lamp strapped to his backpack and manually cranked the rotational gears to restore the sweeping beam across the harbor.”
WHO:
WHAT:
WHEN:
WHY:
HOW:
Case #10 The Monarch Migration Mystery • Informational Science
Zoology / Ecology
“Every autumn, millions of monarch butterflies across eastern North America travel up to 3,000 miles to reach the high-altitude oyamel fir forests of central Mexico. To survive the freezing winter and avoid deadly northern frost, monarchs navigate this epic journey using an internal sun compass embedded in their antennae, adjusting their flight angle as the sun moves across the sky to maintain a steady southwest course.”
WHO:
WHAT:
WHEN:
WHY:
HOW:
Parent / Guardian Signature:
Minutes Spent: Final Grade: / 10
WH Detective Dossier • Take-Home Practice Sheet Cases #09 & #10 Complete
Master Evidence Answer Key Teacher Master Key Classroom Reference Guide
WH Reading Detectives: Solution Guide
Model Answers, Text Evidence Citations, and Common Student Pitfalls
Cases #01 – #05
Case #01: The Midnight Whistle • Do Now (Narrative) Evidence Key
WHO: Leo (young inventor)
WHAT: Signaled train to stop
WHEN: 11:42 PM, rainy Tuesday
WHY: Bridge collapsed in flood
HOW: Waved red lantern in mud
Case #02: Deep-Sea Glow • Guided Practice (Informational) Evidence Key
WHO: Female anglerfish
WHAT: Hunts using bioluminescence
WHEN: In midnight zone (deep sea)
WHY: To lure prey in total darkness
HOW: Bacterial chemical reaction
Case #03: Maya's Rover Rescue • Independent Part A (Narrative) Evidence Key
WHO: Maya (mechanic)
WHAT: Freed jammed arm, restored power
WHEN: Just before dawn
WHY: Save weather data from storm
HOW: Handheld ultrasonic pulse tool
Case #04: The Great Molasses Flood • Independent Part A (Informational) Evidence Key
WHO: Storage tank / Bostonians
WHAT: Tank burst; molasses wave destroyed city
WHEN: Jan 15, 1919 (afternoon)
WHY: Poor build & thermal expansion
HOW: Surged at 35 mph as 25-ft wave
Case #05: The Whispering Attic • Independent Part B (Narrative) Evidence Key
WHO: Julian (seventh-grader)
WHAT: Rescued barn owl chick
WHEN: Thunderstorm last October
WHY: Curious; prove not haunted
HOW: Pried board with claw hammer
Common Student Pitfall: Distinguishing “Why” vs. “How”
Students frequently conflate Why (the motivation or cause, e.g., “to prove the house was not haunted” ) with How (the action or instrument, e.g., “using a claw hammer and fleece blanket” ). Remind students that
