Clue Catchers Task Cards Clue Catchers
Read the story. Find the clues. Answer "Why!"
Detective Name
Date
Card 1
Muddy Toby
Toby is a happy little dog. He ran outside when the cold rain fell down. Now Toby is wet and covered in brown dirt!
The "Why" Question:
Why is Toby muddy?
Because
Card 2
Lily's New Leaf
Lily planted a tiny seed in a dark pot. She put water on it every single morning. Today, a little green leaf popped up!
The "Why" Question:
Why did the green leaf grow?
Because
Card 3
Max's Lost Balloon
Max was holding a big red balloon. Suddenly, he let go of the string to clap his hands. The balloon flew high into the sky!
The "Why" Question:
Why did the balloon fly away?
Because
Card 4
Bella's Late Night
Bella stayed up very late reading a funny book under her blankets. This morning, her eyes kept closing at her school desk.
The "Why" Question:
Why is Bella tired today?
Because
Target skill: Cause and Effect (Why/Because) Page 1 of 2
Clue Catchers
Read the story. Find the clues. Answer "Why!"
Detective Name
Date
Card 5
Melted Ice Cream
Leo sat at a sunny table outside. He left his cold strawberry cone under the hot sun. Soon, sweet pink soup got on his hands!
The "Why" Question:
Why did the ice cream melt?
Because
Card 6
Mia's Warm Scarf
Mia looked out the window and saw white snow. She put on her thick wool coat and wrapped her soft red scarf around her neck.
The "Why" Question:
Why did Mia put on her scarf?
Because
Card 7
Sam's Fast Toy
Sam pushed his plastic car very fast down the bumpy wooden stairs. *Crash!* The little yellow wheel popped off.
The "Why" Question:
Why did the wheel break off?
Because
Card 8
Ben's Big Smile
Today is Ben's birthday! All of his friends sang a song and handed him a big, shiny blue box wrapped in a pretty bow.
The "Why" Question:
Why is Ben smiling so big?
Because
Target skill: Cause and Effect (Why/Because) Page 2 of 2
Clue Catchers Slides CLUE CATCHERS
Why Detectives
Training Camp
Learn how to look for clues, find the reasons, and answer the big question: "Why?"
LET'S SOLVE THE MYSTERIES! Level: Emergent Readers
Detective Academy
Training Guide
1
Find the "What"
First, look at the action or happening in the story. What did you see?
2
Find the "Why"
Look for the clue that tells you the reason. Answer with "Because..."
The Secret Word is: BECAUSE! It connects our clues!
CASE FILE 01
Active Case
The Story
Muddy Toby
Toby is a happy little dog. He ran outside when the cold rain fell down. Now Toby is wet and covered in brown dirt!
Detective Mission
Why is Toby muddy?
Clue Prompt:
What fell down from the sky?
Look for: Rain + Dirt Slide 3 of 11
CASE FILE 02
Active Case
The Story
Lily's New Leaf
Lily planted a tiny seed in a dark pot. She put water on it every single morning. Today, a little green leaf popped up!
Detective Mission
Why did the green leaf grow?
Clue Prompt:
What did Lily do every single morning?
Look for: Watering actions Slide 4 of 11
CASE FILE 03
Active Case
The Story
Max's Lost Balloon
Max was holding a big red balloon. Suddenly, he let go of the string to clap his hands. The balloon flew high into the sky!
Detective Mission
Why did the balloon fly away?
Clue Prompt:
What did Max do with the string?
Look for: Letting go Slide 5 of 11
CASE FILE 04
Active Case
The Story
Bella's Late Night
Bella stayed up very late reading a funny book under her blankets. This morning, her eyes kept closing at her school desk.
Detective Mission
Why is Bella tired today?
Clue Prompt:
When did Bella go to sleep?
Look for: Up late reading Slide 6 of 11
CASE FILE 05
Active Case
The Story
Melted Ice Cream
Clue Catchers Recording Sheet Clue Catchers
Official Detective Case Record Sheet
Detective Name
Date
🕵️ Read each card. Answer the "Why" question below. Use BECAUSE to write your clue!
Card 1: Toby Why is Toby muddy?
Because
Card 2: Lily Why did the leaf grow?
Because
Card 3: Max Why did the balloon fly?
Because
Card 4: Bella Why is Bella tired?
Because
Card 5: Leo Why did the ice cream melt?
Because
Card 6: Mia Why did she wear a scarf?
Because
Card 7: Sam Why did the wheel break?
Because
Card 8: Ben Why is Ben smiling?
Because
Official Clue Catchers Record Sheet Page 1 of 2
Answer Key
Clue Catchers Task Cards 1-8 • Teacher Reference
TEACHER USE
Card 1: Toby
Why is Toby muddy?
Sample Answer:
...he ran outside in the cold rain / played in the wet dirt.
Key Clue: "rain fell down", "ran outside"
Card 2: Lily
Why did the green leaf grow?
Sample Answer:
...Lily gave it water every morning.
Key Clue: "put water on it", "every morning"
Card 3: Max
Why did the balloon fly away?
Sample Answer:
...he let go of the string (to clap his hands).
Key Clue: "let go of the string"
Card 4: Bella
Why is Bella tired today?
Sample Answer:
...she stayed up very late reading her book.
Key Clue: "stayed up very late"
Card 5: Leo
Why did the ice cream melt?
Sample Answer:
...it was left outside under the hot sun.
Key Clue: "sunny table", "hot sun"
Card 6: Mia
Why did Mia put on her scarf?
Sample Answer:
...it was snowing outside / it was cold.
Key Clue: "saw white snow"
Card 7: Sam
Why did the wheel break?
Sample Answer:
...he pushed it very fast down bumpy stairs.
Key Clue: "fast down bumpy stairs"
Card 8: Ben
Why is Ben smiling?
Sample Answer:
...it is his birthday and he got a gift.
Key Clue: "Ben's birthday", "friends sang"
Clue Catchers Choice Cards Clue Catchers
Hands-On Answer Matching Tiles (Set A: Cards 1 - 4)
Detective Name
Date
✂️ Teacher Tip: Cut out these 12 individual tiles. Students match the correct option tile to each main Story Card!
Tile 1-A
🌧️
The cold rain fell down
Tile 1-B
☀️
The hot sun shined
Tile 1-C
🎈
The red balloon floated
Tile 2-A
🍿
Eating yummy popcorn
Tile 2-B
💧
Watered every morning
Tile 2-C
❄️
Cold white snow fell
Tile 3-A
👐
Let go of the string
Tile 3-B
🧼
Washed dirty hands
Tile 3-C
🧣
Mia wore her red scarf
Tile 4-A
🍦
Ate sweet ice cream
Tile 4-B
📖
Stayed up late reading
Tile 4-C
🐶
Toby played outside
Matching Game Option Cards Page 1 of 2
Clue Catchers
Hands-On Answer Matching Tiles (Set B: Cards 5 - 8)
Detective Name
Date
✂️ Teacher Tip: Cut out these 12 individual tiles. Students match the correct option tile to each main Story Card!
Tile 5-A
🌧️
Cold rain wet the grass
Tile 5-B
🎁
A special birthday box
Tile 5-C
☀️
Left under the hot sun
Tile 6-A
❄️
White snow fell down
Tile 6-B
🚗
The toy car was fast
Tile 6-C
💧
She drank cool water
Tile 7-A
📖
Bella read a big book
Tile 7-B
📉
Went down bumpy stairs
Tile 7-C
🎈
A pretty shiny balloon
Tile 8-A
🎂
It is his birthday today
Tile 8-B
🌧️
Cold dark rain poured
Tile 8-C
🧣
Mia's thick red scarf
Detail Detectives Slides DETAIL DETECTIVES
What Detectives
Spotter Camp
Train your eyes to spot key objects, actions, and details to answer the big question: "What?"
SPOT THE DETAILS IN EVERY CASE! Level: Emergent Readers
Detective Academy
Spotter Guide
1
Look for the Object
Find the thing, item, or tool the character holds, uses, or sees.
2
Look for the Action
What did the character do? Find the exact verb or event in the story.
The Spotter Clue: Ask "WHAT THING" or "WHAT HAPPENED" !
CASE FILE 01
Active Case
The Story
Pip's Sweet Berry
Pip the little blue bird flew into the sunny garden. He spotted a fat red berry on a green bush and ate it up fast!
Detective Mission
What did Pip eat in the garden?
Clue Prompt:
Look at what was on the green bush.
Look for: The berry on the bush Slide 3 of 11
CASE FILE 02
Active Case
The Story
Emma's Art Time
Emma sat at her wooden craft table with clean white paper. She dipped her small brush into bright blue paint.
Detective Mission
What did Emma dip her brush into?
Clue Prompt:
Look for the color of the paint.
Look for: Bright blue paint Slide 4 of 11
CASE FILE 03
Active Case
The Story
Sam's Sand Tower
Sam went to the sunny beach with his yellow bucket. He packed wet sand into a tall castle tower with three shell flags.
Detective Mission
What did Sam build with the wet sand?
Clue Prompt:
What had three shell flags on top?
Look for: A tall castle tower Slide 5 of 11
CASE FILE 04
Active Case
The Story
Oliver's Puddle Boots
Oliver heard loud rain tap on the window. He put on his shiny yellow boots so he could splash in big water puddles!
Detective Mission
What did Oliver put on his feet?
Clue Prompt:
What shiny yellow item did he wear?
Look for: Shiny yellow boots Slide 6 of 11
CASE FILE 05
Active Case
Detail Detectives Task Cards Detail Detectives
Read the story. Find the details. Answer "What!"
Detective Name
Date
Card 1
Pip's Sweet Berry
Pip the little blue bird flew into the sunny garden. He spotted a fat red berry on a green bush and ate it up fast!
The "What" Question:
What did Pip eat in the garden?
Pip ate
Card 2
Emma's Art Time
Emma sat at her wooden craft table with clean white paper. She dipped her small brush into bright blue paint.
The "What" Question:
What did Emma dip her brush into?
She dipped it in
Card 3
Sam's Sand Tower
Sam went to the sunny beach with his yellow bucket. He packed wet sand into a tall castle tower with three shell flags.
The "What" Question:
What did Sam build with sand?
Sam built
Card 4
Oliver's Puddle Boots
Oliver heard loud rain tap on the window. He put on his shiny yellow boots so he could splash in big water puddles!
The "What" Question:
What did Oliver put on his feet?
Oliver wore
Target skill: Key Details & Objects (What) Page 1 of 2
Detail Detectives
Read the story. Find the details. Answer "What!"
Detective Name
Date
Card 5
Chloe's Sweet Snack
Chloe helped her dad bake in the warm kitchen. She poured sweet brown chocolate chips right into the big mixing bowl.
The "What" Question:
What did Chloe pour into the bowl?
Chloe poured
Card 6
Rex's Secret Bone
Rex the happy puppy held a hard white bone in his mouth. He dug a deep hole in the garden dirt and hid it safe inside!
The "What" Question:
What did Rex hide in the hole?
Rex hid
Card 7
Maya's Dragon Book
Maya climbed under her warm blanket with a small flashlight. She opened a big adventure book filled with green dragons.
The "What" Question:
What was inside Maya's book?
The book had
Card 8
Noah's Crunchy Apple
Noah sat on a red blanket under the shady tree. He opened his metal lunchbox and pulled out a juicy green apple!
The "What" Question:
What fruit did Noah pull out?
Noah had a
Detail Detectives Recording Sheet Detail Detectives
Official Detective Case Record Sheet
Detective Name
Date
🔍 Read each task card. Find the key object or action. Answer the "What" question below!
Card 1: Pip What did Pip eat?
Pip ate
Card 2: Emma What did Emma dip her brush in?
She dipped it in
Card 3: Sam What did Sam build?
Sam built
Card 4: Oliver What did Oliver wear?
Oliver wore
Card 5: Chloe What did Chloe pour?
Chloe poured
Card 6: Rex What did Rex hide?
Rex hid
Card 7: Maya What was in Maya's book?
The book had
Card 8: Noah What fruit did Noah pull out?
Noah had a
Official Detail Detectives Record Sheet Page 1 of 2
Answer Key
Detail Detectives Task Cards 1-8 • Teacher Reference
TEACHER USE
Card 1: Pip
What did Pip eat in the garden?
Sample Answer:
...a fat red berry (from the green bush).
Key Clue: "a fat red berry on a green bush"
Card 2: Emma
What did Emma dip her brush into?
Sample Answer:
...bright blue paint.
Key Clue: "brush into bright blue paint"
Card 3: Sam
What did Sam build with sand?
Sample Answer:
...a tall castle tower (with shell flags).
Key Clue: "tall castle tower with three shell flags"
Card 4: Oliver
What did Oliver put on his feet?
Sample Answer:
...his shiny yellow boots.
Key Clue: "shiny yellow boots"
Card 5: Chloe
What did Chloe pour into the bowl?
Sample Answer:
...sweet brown chocolate chips.
Key Clue: "sweet brown chocolate chips"
Card 6: Rex
What did Rex hide in the hole?
Sample Answer:
...a hard white bone.
Key Clue: "hard white bone in his mouth"
Card 7: Maya
What was inside Maya's book?
Sample Answer:
...green dragons (in an adventure story).
Key Clue: "filled with green dragons"
Card 8: Noah
What fruit did Noah pull out?
Sample Answer:
...a juicy green apple.
Key Clue: "juicy green apple"
Detail Detectives Choice Cards Detail Detectives
Hands-On Answer Matching Tiles (Set A: Cards 1 - 4)
Detective Name
Date
✂️ Teacher Tip: Cut out these 12 individual tiles. Students match the correct "What" answer tile to each Task Card!
Tile 1-A
🍓
A fat red berry
Tile 1-B
🍞
A piece of bread
Tile 1-C
🪱
A tiny garden bug
Tile 2-A
🖍️
A yellow wax crayon
Tile 2-B
🎨
Bright blue paint
Tile 2-C
🥛
A cup of cold milk
Tile 3-A
🏰
A tall castle tower
Tile 3-B
⛵
A little toy boat
Tile 3-C
🏖️
A big beach chair
Tile 4-A
🩴
Soft beach sandals
Tile 4-B
👢
Shiny yellow boots
Tile 4-C
🧦
Fuzzy warm socks
Matching Game Option Cards Page 1 of 2
Detail Detectives
Hands-On Answer Matching Tiles (Set B: Cards 5 - 8)
Detective Name
Date
✂️ Teacher Tip: Cut out these 12 individual tiles. Students match the correct "What" answer tile to each Task Card!
Tile 5-A
🍫
Chocolate chips
Tile 5-B
🧂
Salty white rice
Tile 5-C
🍋
Sour yellow lemon
Tile 6-A
🎾
A bright green ball
Tile 6-B
🦴
A hard white bone
Tile 6-C
🪵
A long brown stick
Tile 7-A
🐉
Big green dragons
Tile 7-B
🚀
Fast silver rockets
Tile 7-C
🐠
Little gold fish
Tile 8-A
🍌
A sweet yellow banana
Tile 8-B
🥪
A cheese sandwich
Tile 8-C
🍏
A juicy green apple
Matching Game Option Cards Page 2 of 2
