How to Use Who-Dun-It Curriculum in a Homeschool Co-op

In “How to Use Who-Dun-It Curriculum in a Homeschool Co-op,” Episode, #129, Meredith Curtis explains how to use her most popular English course, Who Dun It Murder Mystery Literature & Writing, in a homeschool co-op setting. It’s easier than you think to teach, homeschool Mom or Dad! Teens love sharing their stories together and discussing classic cozy mysteries in book club. Plus what other course requires you to watch a detective show once a month? The student benefits—logic, creativity, literature understanding deepens, and FUN—enrich high schoolers educational experience and create happy lifetime memories!

 

 

 

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Show Notes

Welcome to our cozy mystery peer review time. We are mesmorized by the story, trying to figure out the clues.

This is much too fun for a high school English class! Or is it?

When It’s Your Turn to Teach at Co-op

It’s your turn to teach the high school English course and you are stumped.

I have a fun solution!

Mystery lovers unite!

Spend a year reading and writing a cozy mystery

Benefits of Writing a Who-Dun-It

Opportunity (or challenge) of creating a story that others will enjoy

Writing your own literature teaches you so much about literature

The role of logic

Craftsmanship

Reading aloud to edit/craft

An Overview of The Year

First half:

* Reading/watching/analyzing

* Creating characters/settings/scenes

* Write short story

Second half:

* Novels/short stories

* Work on novel

* Peer review & crafting as you go

The Planning Is Already Done

How the course is laid out

Work at home

Work in co-op

Creating Characters & Using Dialogue & Description

How do golden age authors do it?

Well-rounded characters

Quotation marks

Close your eyes and listen—can you see it?

Classic Literature & Substitutes

Christie, Sayers, Chesterton, Doyle

Children’s classics: Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Mandie, Sugar Creek Gang

Golden Age Classic Mysteries—excellent literature!

Why Book Clubs Help So Much

Talking helps brain connect information

Differing opinions lead to lively discussions

Start with “Did you like this book—why or why not?”

Each book club focus: characterization, setting, dialogue, tone/mood, plot

Why TV Shows Help So Much

Scenes

Storyboard

Perry Mason, Murder She Wrote, Monk, Garage Sale Murders, Matlock

Writing for Peers vs. Writing for No One

When you are reading stories aloud, you have a purpose, an incentive

How writers have grown with this

Responding with affirmation and helpful advice, not critical

Unleashing Creativity

Creating characters, settings, plots, scenes, dialogue, surprise endings—hard work but fun!

Who Dun It Murder Mystery Literature & Writing changes students

The Logic of a Who-Dun-It

Have to make sure everything lines up, is logical,