"Right or wrong, it is the learning that counts!" Mystery Class/AllGrades/Closing Arguments/Ceremony Barbara DeSantis Samsel Upper Elementary School Parlin, NJ I hold a Mystery Class Celebration near the end of the activity. In addition to the students who worked so hard, I invite a few other school staff like the librarian, media specialist, and other teachers (all of whom helped provide resources during the quest) and also my principals and other supervisors. The students all really worked hard! So, near the end of the Mystery Class activity, I plan our 'celebration' , because right or wrong it is the learning that counts! Here are a few things that I make part of the celebration: Self-Expression One of my students (at my request) has written a poem for the occasion: Mystery Class Mystery Class is really fun Find your coordinates and you'll be done! Find your location, east or west, Eliminating countries is a pest! Look at your clues and you will see Your location - just like me! When I find my location, so will you, We'll be winners for the things we do!  Review and Gratitude I review where we had been, and what we had done (put the charts on the wall- I use the easel sized paper) We thank the folks who helped us (the media specialist for letting us have the encyclopedias, the other teachers who loaned us maps, my excellent teaching partners, etc) What's the real message here? (Click image to find out what really counts.) Laminated Certificates   I gave out laminated certificates (the highlight of the event!) to the students recognizing their efforts and learning.   Sweet Rewards After the presentation, time for food! We collected money ($.50 a child) and got ice cream sandwiches. We invite the principal, vice principal, science supervisor, and social studies supervisor to enjoy the event. At the very end (after some teasing), I reveal the results/secret locations. Our Board of Education monthly handout even had a paragraph write up about our Mystery Class participation. Results My favorite page is labeled "Results"- I had each team use a file card to share what they learned - some comments were very detailed (about the location, city, country, etc) while others were more general (longitude, latitude, lapsed time, problem solving). Still others were more cultural based (currency, kings, things to see). It helps me make the point - "See how much you have learned!" This makes the revelation of the classroom sites secondary. If you have tips you'd like to share, please write to Journey North's feedback form   Facebook Pinterest Twitter © 1997 – 2019 Journey North. All rights reserved.