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Social studies reading mysteries & activities

History and civics reading mysteries on ancient civilizations, westward expansion, civil rights, government and famous Americans. Students read, answer and rule out suspects.

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Pre-K & K1Grades 1–24Grades 3–523Grades 6–822
Social studies

Grades 3–5

  • Ancient civilizations
  • Westward expansion
  • Civil rights
  • Women's history
  • Government and civics
Grade 4 page →
Declaration of Independence, American founding, grades 3–6Declaration of IndependenceReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Ancient China Reading Mystery, Ancient civilizations, grades 3–6Ancient China Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Frida Kahlo Reading Mystery, Biographies, grades 3–6Frida Kahlo Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Martin Luther King Jr. Reading Mystery, Civil rights, grades 5–8Martin Luther King Jr. Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 5–8See the case file →Digital Citizenship Reading Mystery, Digital citizenship, grades 4–6Digital Citizenship Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 4–6See the case file →Constitution Day Reading Mystery, Government and civics, grades 4–6Constitution Day Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 4–6See the case file →Easter Map Skills Escape Room, Map skills, grades 1–3Easter Map Skills Escape RoomDigital escape room · Grades 1–3See the case file →Abraham Lincoln Reading Mystery, Presidents, grades 3–6Abraham Lincoln Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →California Gold Rush Reading Mystery, Westward expansion, grades 3–6California Gold Rush Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Eleanor Roosevelt Reading Mystery, Women's history, grades 3–6Eleanor Roosevelt Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Ancient Egypt Reading Mystery, Ancient civilizations, grades 3–6Ancient Egypt Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Thanksgiving: Sarah Josepha Hale, Biographies, grades 3–6Thanksgiving: Sarah Josepha HaleReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Rosa Parks Reading Mystery, Civil rights, grades 3–6Rosa Parks Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Three Branches of Government, Government and civics, grades 3–6Three Branches of GovernmentReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →George Washington Reading Mystery, Presidents, grades 3–6George Washington Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Lewis & Clark Expedition Reading Mystery, Westward expansion, grades 3–6Lewis & Clark Expedition Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Susan B. Anthony Reading Mystery, Women's history, grades 3–6Susan B. Anthony Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Ancient Greece Reading Mystery, Ancient civilizations, grades 3–6Ancient Greece Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Ruby Bridges Reading Mystery, Civil rights, grades 3–6Ruby Bridges Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Oregon Trail Reading Mystery, Westward expansion, grades 3–6Oregon Trail Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Ancient Rome Reading Mystery, Ancient civilizations, grades 3–6Ancient Rome Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Transcontinental Railroad, Westward expansion, grades 3–6Transcontinental RailroadReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Mummies Reading Mystery, Ancient civilizations, grades 3–6Mummies Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →
Social studies

Grades 6–8

  • Ancient civilizations
  • Westward expansion
  • Civil rights
  • Women's history
  • Government and civics
Grade 7 page →
Declaration of Independence, American founding, grades 3–6Declaration of IndependenceReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Ancient China Reading Mystery, Ancient civilizations, grades 3–6Ancient China Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Frida Kahlo Reading Mystery, Biographies, grades 3–6Frida Kahlo Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Martin Luther King Jr. Reading Mystery, Civil rights, grades 5–8Martin Luther King Jr. Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 5–8See the case file →Digital Citizenship Reading Mystery, Digital citizenship, grades 4–6Digital Citizenship Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 4–6See the case file →Constitution Day Reading Mystery, Government and civics, grades 4–6Constitution Day Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 4–6See the case file →Abraham Lincoln Reading Mystery, Presidents, grades 3–6Abraham Lincoln Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →California Gold Rush Reading Mystery, Westward expansion, grades 3–6California Gold Rush Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Eleanor Roosevelt Reading Mystery, Women's history, grades 3–6Eleanor Roosevelt Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Ancient Egypt Reading Mystery, Ancient civilizations, grades 3–6Ancient Egypt Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Thanksgiving: Sarah Josepha Hale, Biographies, grades 3–6Thanksgiving: Sarah Josepha HaleReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Rosa Parks Reading Mystery, Civil rights, grades 3–6Rosa Parks Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Three Branches of Government, Government and civics, grades 3–6Three Branches of GovernmentReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →George Washington Reading Mystery, Presidents, grades 3–6George Washington Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Lewis & Clark Expedition Reading Mystery, Westward expansion, grades 3–6Lewis & Clark Expedition Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Susan B. Anthony Reading Mystery, Women's history, grades 3–6Susan B. Anthony Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Ancient Greece Reading Mystery, Ancient civilizations, grades 3–6Ancient Greece Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Ruby Bridges Reading Mystery, Civil rights, grades 3–6Ruby Bridges Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Oregon Trail Reading Mystery, Westward expansion, grades 3–6Oregon Trail Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Ancient Rome Reading Mystery, Ancient civilizations, grades 3–6Ancient Rome Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Transcontinental Railroad, Westward expansion, grades 3–6Transcontinental RailroadReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →Mummies Reading Mystery, Ancient civilizations, grades 3–6Mummies Reading MysteryReading mystery · Grades 3–6See the case file →
Questions teachers ask

Social studies FAQ

What social studies topics are covered?

Ancient civilizations, westward expansion, civil rights, the Constitution and government, and biographies of people who shaped American history.

What grades are they for?

Most are written for grades 3–8.

Do they include answer keys?

Yes, every pack includes a full answer key.