It is Halloween morning at Linden Park Elementary. The parade starts in just one hour. Mrs. Park’s Year 1 class is excited - each kid made a Halloween mask in art class. But Maya runs to her cubby and her CAT MASK is GONE!

Three people could have been near her cubby this morning. One of them knows where the mask is - but maybe not for a bad reason.

This is Case File KH-00: The Missing Cat Mask - a FREE Halloween ELA whodunnit sampler for grades K-2. Designed as a “try before you buy” introduction to the DeskMade Detective Agency Halloween series.

WHY THIS WORKS AS A FREE SAMPLE

The full DeskMade Halloween K-2 case (KH-01: The Friendly Ghost Mystery) has 3 stations, 12 questions, and explores 4 suspects across 3 school rooms. This FREE sample (KH-00) is the same chassis with a tighter scope - same 3 stations, same 12 questions, but with 3 suspects and a single-mystery focus.

Teachers and students get a complete, self-checking ELA mystery in 15-25 minutes. If they enjoy it, they’re a one-click upgrade away from the full paid case.

THE THREE STATIONS

1. READ THE SETTING - Setting Identification (verdict letter C, code word CASE)
2. FOLLOW THE CLUES - Setting + Mood (verdict letter A, code word ARTS)
3. PUT IT TOGETHER - Synthesis (verdict letter T, code word TAPE)

VERDICT WORD: CAT (built letter by letter from the 3 stations)

THE HEARTWARMING TWIST

The “thief” is Mr. Diaz, the Year 1 helper. He came in early to set up for the parade and saw Maya’s cat mask had fallen on the floor with one ear torn. He took it to the art room to fix the tear with TAPE - secretly, as a surprise for Maya. The lesson: helpers should TELL people before they help.

Perfect for SEL conversations about asking for help, reading peoples’ intentions, and small acts of kindness.

DESIGNED FOR GRADES K-2

• 3 stations × 4 questions = 12 multiple-choice questions
• 6-page student PDF
• 5-page teacher answer key
• 6-slide editable Google Slides deck
• 3 ORIGINAL short K-2 friendly passages
• Setting + Mood skill chain that builds toward synthesis
• 15-25 minute activity
• Read-aloud friendly for early readers

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS FREE SAMPLE

• 6-page student worksheet PDF
• 5-page teacher answer key PDF (with debrief notes)
• 6-slide editable Google Slides deck
• Compatible with TPT Easel
• Print AND digital ready

PERFECT FOR