Part 1: Read the Mystery Note

Dear Detective,

I arrived in the mailbox at 10:00. I am small and round. My smooth, red coat shines. I can roll across a desk, but I cannot bounce very high. I was tucked beside a book. Who am I?

From,
Someone Secret

1. What does the note say about the mystery object? Choose one.

It is large and square.

It is small and round.

It is soft and fluffy.

2. Which clue helps you infer that the object can move?

Its coat shines.

It was beside a book.

It can roll across a desk.

3. What do you think the mystery object is? Use the clues to make an inference.

4. Draw what you visualise when you read the note. Label one detail.

Part 2: Use the Clues and Words

Clue → What I think → Why

Complete each row. Write what the clue makes you think and explain your reason.

Clue: “I am small and round.”
What I think:

Why?

Clue: “My smooth, red coat shines.”
What I think:

Why?

Clue: “I can roll across a desk.”
What I think:

Why?

Vocabulary

Draw a line to match each word with its meaning.

clue

whisper

parcel

hidden

curious

quiet words

a package

wanting to find out more

a helpful sign or detail

kept out of sight

5. Write one adjective from the note.

6. Write the precise verb that tells how the object moves.

Part 3: Write Your Own Mystery Message

Imagine an object in the classroom mailbox. Do not name it. Write a short message using at least three clues. Include an adjective and a precise verb. Begin with a capital letter and finish with a full stop.

Helpful words: smooth, rough, hard, soft, heavy, light, round, pointed, rolls, bends, rattles, stretches.

7. Reread your message. Circle one vague word, such as “nice”, “thing” or “does”. Replace it with a clearer word.

8. Self-assessment: Tick each statement you can do.

I used at least three clues.

I used a specific adjective.

I used a precise verb.

I used a capital letter and a full stop.

I changed one word to make my clue clearer.

Teacher Answer Key – Final Page

1. It is small and round.

2. It can roll across a desk.

3. A ball. Accept answers such as “a small red ball” when supported by the clues.

4. Answers will vary. Look for a small, round, red object, preferably with a label showing one detail.

Clue → What I think → Why: Accept sensible inferences supported by the text. For example, “small and round” may suggest a ball; “smooth, red and shiny” may suggest a red ball; “can roll” strongly suggests a ball or another round object.

Vocabulary: clue – a helpful sign or detail; whisper – quiet words; parcel – a package; hidden – kept out of sight; curious – wanting to find out more.

5. Accept small, round, smooth or red.

6. roll or rolls.

7–8. Answers will vary. Check that the student has replaced a vague word with a clearer adjective or verb and has completed the checklist honestly.