Four class toys. One stolen snack. Three stations of clues. Your K-2 students become detectives in this FREE self-checking ELA whodunnit that builds early-reading skills through a story-driven mystery that’s just the right size for little learners.

This is Case File K-00: The Missing Snack - the FREE K-2 sampler in the DeskMade Detective Agency series. Designed for grades K through 2, classroom-tested, and built from the ground up to feel like a real detective case file - just simpler.

WHAT MAKES IT WORK FOR K-2

Each station has one short, original passage and four picture-friendly multiple-choice questions targeting an early-reading skill: picture clues, story details, and simple inference. Each correct answer reveals one letter. The four letters from each station form a 4-letter “Station Code.” The FIRST letter of that code is the Station Letter. After all three stations, students combine their three Station Letters to spell the verdict word - and identify the THIEF.

Built-in feedback at the verdict level: when all three Station Letters combine into a real word, students know they’re on track. If the verdict spells nonsense, they revisit their work. Teachers can also spot-check each station’s 4-letter code against the answer key.

DESIGNED FOR THE K-2 BRAIN

• Shorter passages (~50 words each) instead of the 150-word grade 3-5 versions
• 3 stations instead of 5 (less than half the grade 3-5 length)
• Simpler vocabulary aimed at K-2 readers
• Read-aloud structure for kindergarten and grade 1
• Independent or paired reading for grade 2
• Picture-cue language (“FOUR small toes,” “ORANGE fur”) so students can visualize

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• 6-page student worksheet PDF (cover, mission brief with four toy suspects, three station pages, final verdict and reflection)
• 5-page teacher answer key PDF (master verdict, station-by-station answers with debrief notes)
• Editable Google Slides deck (8 slides, project on the board OR assign on Google Classroom)
• Compatible with TPT Easel
• Print AND digital ready
• Three original short passages designed for grades K-2

THE THREE STATIONS

1. TINY FOOTPRINTS - Picture Clues (use details to figure out the answer)
2. WHAT THE OWL SAW - Story Details (who, what, where, and when)
3. PUTTING IT TOGETHER - Simple Inference (combine all clues to identify the thief)

THE MYSTERY