It's a Mystery Reader!

Samantha Behne

Looking for a fun way to engage your students and build a stronger classroom community? Consider introducing a Mystery Reader! This simple yet exciting activity involves inviting parents, friends, family members, or members of the school community to surprise your class by reading a story. The twist? Your students must guess who the reader will be!

Here’s how it works: Each week (or every other week, or even once a month), schedule a Mystery Reader to visit your classroom. In the days leading up to the visit, drop a few clues about the reader. For example, you might say, “Our Mystery Reader is a teacher,” or “She has a son in this class.” Each day, reveal a little more: “She has two other children,” or “Their family has a dog.” By the time the final clue is given—for example, “Her last name starts with an S”—your students will be buzzing with excitement, eager to see if their guesses were right.

The Mystery Reader isn’t just a fun guessing game; it’s also a fantastic way to get families involved in your classroom and to make reading a special, shared experience. It can also inspire a love of reading as students eagerly anticipate which book the Mystery Reader will choose. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to build relationships with parents and make them feel like a part of the learning process.

It is definitely worth a try. Your students will love the thrill of the mystery, and you’ll enjoy seeing their faces light up when the reader is revealed!