Level 3 • Lesson 19 — Create a mystery or fantasy story

Objective

I can plan and write a short mystery or fantasy with a hook, clear problem, rising action, climax, and resolution. I will use clues/red herrings (mystery) or world rules (fantasy).

Materials

Pencil ✏️ and eraser
Notebook or device
Tracing Pad (below)

Tip: For a mystery, hide fair clues readers can notice. For fantasy, set clear limits for magic so the story feels believable.

Mini-lesson — Mystery vs Fantasy basics

Hook: Start with something interesting: a strange footprint or a glowing door.
Problem: A question to solve (Who took the map?) or a quest/obstacle (Get the moon-stone.)
Rising action: Clues or challenges build tension.
Climax: The big reveal (mystery) or the hardest test (fantasy).
Resolution: Tie up loose ends. Show what changed.

Guided Practice — Plan your story beats

Trace key words, then sketch a micro-plan (5 lines): Hook → Problem → Rising action → Climax → Resolution.

Key words: clue, suspect, alibi, quest, rules
Example hooks:
- Mystery: A silver whistle is missing from the clubhouse.
- Fantasy: A shy kid finds a map that changes each sunrise.

Tracing Pad

Lines Letter

Pen

Drag & Drop — Build Mystery/Fantasy-Friendly Sentences

Drag the chips to form clear sentences that could fit a mystery or fantasy. Keep punctuation at the end.

Footprintsstoppedatthecreekandthenvanished.

Theglowingmapchangeditspathatsunrise.

Welistedsuspectsandcheckedeachalibi.

Aredherringmadetheteamfollowthewrongclue.

Magiconlyworksatthelighthouseaftermoonrise.

Wefollowedtheriddletotherustedgate.

Becausetheruleswereclearthespellbackfiredwhenbroken.

Wecomparedfootprintstoeachsuspectsshoes.

Thefinalcluewashiddeninsidethewhistlecase.

Attheclimaxthestormliftedandthepathappeared.

Wereturnedthemoonstoneandthelighthouseglowedagain.

Finallythetruthwasclearandthemysterywassolved.

Quick Check (15 questions)

1) A hook is…

the last sentence an opening that grabs attention a list of characters

2) In a mystery, clues should be…

impossible to notice only in the last paragraph fair and findable by readers

3) A fantasy story needs…

clear rules for magic random surprises only no main character

4) Rising action is when…

everything is solved problems get harder and tension builds the title is chosen

5) A red herring is…

a real clue the hero a false lead that distracts

6) Which is a strong fantasy limit?

Magic only works near the lighthouse. Magic always does anything. Magic is unknown to the writer.

7) Which best fits a climax?

Choosing the title Facing the hardest test or big reveal Writing a shopping list

8) Best hook for a mystery:

The trophy was gone when school opened. We did homework last week. The sun is bright.

9) Good resolution shows…

a new problem only a random explosion how the problem was solved and what changed

10) Which sentence adds fair clue?

The door exists. Mud on the floor matches the coach’s boots. The sky is above us.

11) Best fantasy detail:

The map redraws itself at sunrise. The map is paper. The map sometimes exists.

12) Which order is best?

Resolution → Hook → Climax Hook → Resolution → Rising action Hook → Problem → Rising action → Climax → Resolution

13) Which helps readers solve a mystery?

Hiding all clues Showing clues and red herrings Skipping suspects

14) The story’s problem should be…

clear and important to the hero random and tiny missing

15) A good fantasy rule is…

Magic can do anything whenever. Rules change without reason. Limits that make choices matter.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Story has clear hook & problem Rising action builds to a climax Uses clues/red herrings (mystery) or consistent rules (fantasy) Ending resolves problem and shows change

Exit ticket (student)

😀 My story has a hook, fair clues/rules, and a strong ending 🙂 I need more practice adding clues or limits 😅 I need to improve story order

I will practice…

Planning Hook → Problem → Climax → Resolution Hiding fair clues / setting clear rules Writing a satisfying ending

Lesson 19: Create a mystery or fantasy story