The Red Headed League Lesson Plan

Sherlock Holmes: “The Red-Headed League”
Grade Level or Special Area: 5th Grade

Written by: Kimberly George
Length of Unit: Seven lessons plus Culminating Activity (each lesson is approximately
45 minutes to one hour)
I. ABSTRACT
This unit is designed to give students an elementary introduction to the world of Sherlock Holmes
and the mystery/detective genre of writing by exploring the classic story, “The Red-Headed
League.” Through various activities and assessments, students will read an unabridged version of
the story and understand why Sherlock Holmes’ stories have stood the test of time.
Understanding the vocabulary of the story is an important factor in this unit, therefore some
lessons may contain extensive vocabulary terms in keeping with the Concept Objectives and to
aid in the comprehension of the story.
II. OVERVIEW
A. Concept Objectives
1. Students will become familiar with various literary genres, including
mystery/detective stories.
2. Students will recognize a rich vocabulary through awareness of plot and
characterization in various literary works, both classic and contemporary.
3. Students will understand how to read and understand a variety of materials.
(Colorado Model Standards for Reading and Writing Standard #1)
B. Content from the Core Knowledge Sequence
1. Language Arts: Grade 5 (p. 110)
a. Fiction and Drama
i. Stories
a) Tales from Sherlock Holmes, including “The Red-
Headed League” (Arthur Conan Doyle)
C. Skill Objectives
1. Students will increase learning and reading vocabulary.
2. Students will learn about the mystery genre of writing and what characterizes a
good detective story.
3. Students will read for knowledge and pleasure.
4. Students will continue to read and recall important events of the story.
5. Students will demonstrate their ability to read aloud clearly, fluently and with
expression.
6. Students will be able to predict events in the story.
7. Students will be able to match vocabulary terms and definitions.
8. Students will begin analyzing different characters in the story to better
understand them and their choices.
9. Students will be able to retell key events in their own words as a character from
the novel.
III. BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

A. For Teachers
1. Read “The Red-Headed League.”
2. Read Appendix A, Background Information on Sherlock Holmes for Teachers.
3. Read Appendix B, Background Information on Detective Stories for Teachers.
Fifth Grade, Sherlock Holmes: “The Red-Headed League” 2005 Colorado Unit Writing Project 1
B. For Students
None
IV. RESOURCES
A. One copy of “The Red-Headed League” for each student (Lessons Two-Six)
B. One world map with London England (Lesson Two)
C. One game of “Clue,” if desired (Culminating Activity)
D. One video showing a performance of Sherlock Holmes on screen or stage, if desired
(Culminating Activity)
V. LESSONS
Lesson One: Introduction to Mystery Novels (45-60 minutes)
A. Daily Objectives
1. Concept Objective(s)
a. Students will become familiar with various literary genres, including
2. Lesson Content
a. Tales from Sherlock Holmes, including “The Red-Headed League”
(Arthur Conan Doyle)
3. Skill Objective(s)
a. Students will increase learning and reading vocabulary.
b. Students will learn about the mystery genre of writing and what
characterizes a good detective story.
B. Materials
1. One copy of Appendix I, Student Notebook for each student
2. One copy of Appendix A, Background Information on Sherlock Holmes for
teacher
C. Key Vocabulary
1. Deductive reasoning is the use of observation (seeing) and logic to make
decisions about the world around you. To deduce is the verb form of this phrase.
2. Stout, portly and obese are all words used in this story to describe someone who
is very overweight.
3. Florid-faced describes someone whose face is red.
4. To embellish something is to add to it. For example, if you embellish a story you
may make it seem more interesting than it truly is.
5. To recommence means to start over.
6. Frayed is used to describe fabric that is worn out, or threadbare.
7. Chagrin is annoyance or embarrassment because of a failure or disappointment.
8. Snuff is tobacco that is sniffed through the nose rather than smoked.
D. Procedures/Activities
1. Before you begin this unit be sure to complete the following items:
a. Read “The Red-Headed League.”
b. Read this entire unit.
c. Make copies of Appendix I, Student Notebook for each student.
d. Know that all the vocabulary terms and definitions, as well as all quiz,
test, and activity answers are located in the Appendix at the end of the
unit.
2. Lead the students in a discussion about what they think of when you mention
mysteries and detectives. Write down student responses on the board. Ask what
they think of when you say the name Sherlock Holmes. Write down those
responses as well. Discuss what they think makes for a good mystery and why.
3. Discuss the six standards for a good detective story. Let them know that we call
a particular type of writing a genre. Discuss different genre with the students like
science fiction and historical fiction. See what other genre they can think of.
Sherlock Holmes stories belong in the mystery genre.
4. Pass out one copy of Appendix I, Student Notebook to each student. Have the
students fill in the section for Lesson One Notes in the Student Notebooks.
Answer questions and clarify as needed.
5. In preparation for beginning tomorrow’s reading of “The Red-Headed League,”
complete Lesson One Vocabulary in the Student Notebooks. Discuss the
definitions and pronunciations of the terms and have students fill in the blanks in
their Notebooks. Let students know that you will be assessing them tomorrow on
today’s vocabulary, so they need to make sure they study and understand the
terms. You can decide if you want to make this a quiz or just an activity. Let the
students know what will be expected.
E. Assessment/Evaluation
1. An assessment for this lesson is the teacher observations made during the
classroom discussion as a pre-assessment for the unit.
2. Review the vocabulary terms introduced in this lesson orally as a group at the
end of the lesson. Give the students a chance to repeat both the pronunciations
and definitions of the terms.
3. Tomorrow’s vocabulary quiz/activity will as be used as an assessment for Lesson
One.
Lesson Two: Introduction to “The Red-Headed League” (45-60 minutes)

A. Daily Objectives
a. Students will become familiar with various literary genres, including
b. Students will recognize a rich vocabulary through awareness of plot and
c. Students will understand how to read and understand a variety of
materials.
2. Lesson Content
b. Students will read for knowledge and pleasure.
c. Students will be able to match vocabulary terms and definitions.
B. Materials
1. Each student will need his or her Student Notebook
2. A copy of “The Red-Headed League” for each student
3. A copy of Appendix D, Assessment for Lesson One’s Vocabulary for each
student
4. One world map visible to all students
C. Key Vocabulary
1. A league is a group of people who get together for a common interest, or
purpose.
2. A Freemason is a man who belongs to the Masons, a group with secret
ceremonies and signs.
3. A bequest is money left behind for a specific purpose after someone has died.
4. Nominal means small; a nominal amount of something is a small or minimal
amount.
5. Ejaculated means to shout out or exclaim loudly.
6. Pawnbrokers are people who loan money to others for a fee. The person who
wants the money leaves something of value with the pawnbroker. He or she has
a chance to buy his or her item back for the amount of money the pawnbroker
gave them, plus more money for interest. If the person does not come in the time
given to buy back his or her item, then the pawnbroker gets to keep it and sell it
to someone else for more money.
7. A vice is a bad habit.
8. A widower is a man whose wife has died.
1. Pass out Appendix D, Assessment for Lesson One’s Vocabulary. Have students
complete the page according to your instructions. Collect up the page when
students are finished.
2. Review the notes from Lesson One Notes from yesterday’s class. Make sure the
students understand the terms in the notes.
3. Review the yesterday’s vocabulary and introduce today’s terms have the students
complete the Vocabulary for Lesson Two Activity. Let students know that there
will be many new words for most of them and that knowing what these words
mean will help them to better understand story as they read. Encourage students
to draw small pictures to help them remember what words mean. Keep the
vocabulary parts of the lessons fast-paced and interesting.
4. After completing the vocabulary, pass out copies of “The Red-Headed League”
to each student. Have students open their books to the beginning of “The Red-
Headed League.” Have them skim through the first couple of pages (depends on
your edition) looking for vocabulary words they have learned. This should help
them to link the definition work to the actual reading.
5. Let students know that this story is set in London, England about 100 years ago.
Have someone find London on the world map. Prepare them that things were
different back then and that some of the words and phrases in the story may seem
odd to them. Encourage them to ask questions if they become confused.
6. Begin reading the story aloud together according to your desired procedure. You
may wish to have the students follow along and listen as you read, or you may
call on individual students to read aloud.
7. Have students raise their hands, but not interrupt the reading, as they come across
vocabulary words. At the end of the paragraphs, or after a few paragraphs as
appropriate, review the words and summarize what has happened thus far in the
story to make sure that students comprehend the reading.
8. Read through to the paragraph where Sherlock says, “Beyond the obvious facts
that he has at some time done manual labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a
Freemason, that he has been in China, and that he has done a considerable
amount of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Stop at this point and ask
students how they think Sherlock knows these things. Discuss their ideas for a
few moments. Ask if they think that he is right or wrong. Continue the reading.
Once he explains his reasoning, discuss it with the students. Try to help them
understand the idea of deductive reasoning. Help them to see that it is not a trick,
but that he is able to figure things out because of how closely he observes things.
9. When you come to the phrase, “Omne ignotum pro magnifico”, explain to the
students that it is a Latin phrase that means, “Everything unknown is taken for
magnificent.” In other words, he is saying that we think anything we do not
understand is incredible. Once we understand it, we no longer think it is that
special.
10. Continue reading until you get to the part just before the Red-Headed League is
introduced. Stop after Mr. Wilson says, “Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who
does a bit of simple cooking and keeps the place clean -- that's all I have in the
house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very quietly, sir,
the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and pay our debts, if we do
nothing more.”
11. Review what has happened thus far in the story and answer questions as needed.
1. Appendix D, Assessment for Lesson One’s Vocabulary is the assessment for this
lesson.
Lesson Three: The Plot Thickens…the Mystery is Revealed (45-60 minutes)

A. Daily Objectives
a. Students will recognize a rich vocabulary through awareness of plot and
b. Students will understand how to read and understand a variety of
materials.
2. Lesson Content
b. Students will demonstrate their ability to read aloud clearly, fluently and
with expression.
c. Students will continue to read and recall important events of the story.
d. Students will be able to predict events in the story.
e. Students will begin analyzing different characters in the story to better
B. Materials
3. Copies of Appendix E, Chart for Oral Reading, as needed
C. Key Vocabulary
1. Vacancies are openings, or empty spaces.
2. Trustees are members in charge of a group or organization.
3. A berth is a job.
4. To be dejected is to be depressed, or have very low spirits.
5. To perceive is to be aware of, or to understand something.
6. To be deceived is to be tricked or fooled.
7. Cobbler’s wax is another term for shoe polish. In this story they mention it
because they claim that some people have tried to change their hair color by
putting red shoe polish on it so that they could join The Red-Headed League.
8. Pensioners are people who get a pension or a set amount of money from a person
or fund.
9. A benefactor is a person who helps others, usually by giving them money.
10. Propagation means to reproduce or make more of something.
11. Avail means to help.
12. A billet is a short letter or note.
13. Both hoax and fraud mean a trick, or an attempt to fool a person.
14. Sovereigns are British gold coins.
15. Foolscap paper is inexpensive writing paper.
1. Before this lesson, you will need to make a copy or two and fill in students’
names Appendix E, Chart for Oral Reading, as needed. (The chart has spaces for
fifteen students.) Look over the chart so that you know how to use it. Just tally
mark errors as the student read aloud. Put a + or – in the boxes for “Expression,”
“Rate” and “Volume.” Make quick comments as you can. It is suggested that
you have each student read two or three paragraphs, depending on length. Do not
try to tabulate anything until a later time. You can decide how to grade this.
You may want to have a certain number of errors equal a certain grade, or decide
to rank everyone overall based on the best and worst readings. This is just a tool
to help you. If you prefer a different method, use it. This chart is useful in
seeing what type of errors students are making.
2. Let students know that as they are reading aloud today and tomorrow that you
will be taking notes on their reading. This is not to make them nervous, but to
prepare them for the fact that you will be writing as they read and grading them
on it. You may want to suggest that they try to read clearly and with expression.
3. Review Lesson One and Lesson Two’s vocabulary terms. Introduce today’s
vocabulary with an emphasis on proper pronunciation. Let students know that
they will be responsible for properly pronouncing vocabulary words during their
readings. Complete Lesson Three Vocabulary in the Student Notebooks. Check
that each student is properly completing this in his or her Notebook by walking
around the room and visually checking that they are filling it in. Have students
keep their Student Notebooks open to today’s vocabulary to assist them in their
reading.
4. Review what has happened so far in the story. Have students make predictions
as to what they believe may be happening in the story.
5. Read the story from where you left off yesterday (Mr. Wilson, “We live very
quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and pay our debts,
if we do nothing more.”) through the section that ends with Mr. Wilson saying,
“However, in the morning I determined to have a look at it anyhow, so I bought a
penny bottle of ink, and with a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I
started off for Pope's Court.” This will leave you set for tomorrow’s reading
about his work at the League.
6. Call on students to read filling in the Appendix E, Chart for Oral Reading as they
read.
7. Have the students verbally summarize the story thus far, correcting errors in
comprehension as needed.
8. Let students know that they must be reviewing the vocabulary from the first three
lessons, as they will be quizzed over the terms in Lesson Four.
9. Have students discuss and write down their observations on Sherlock Holmes,
Dr. Watson, and Jabez Wilson in the Notes on the Characters section of their
Student Notebooks.
1. The Appendix E, Chart for Oral Reading, is the main assessment for today’s
lesson.
2. The teacher’s visual check on each student’s Notebook is also an assessment to
make sure that students are completing the necessary work.
3. The summarizing activity at the end of the lesson will also be considered an
assessment as it helps the teacher know if students understand the story thus far.
Follow up on the part of the teacher is required for those students who appear to
be struggling with comprehension. This can be done one on one or with a small
group who all may be confused by meeting with them to discover where they got
confused and answer any questions they may not wish to ask as a part of the
whole group.
Lesson Four: Trying to Discover a Crime (45-60 minutes)

A. Daily Objectives
materials.
2. Lesson Content
with expression.
c. Students will be able to predict events in the story.
d. Students will be able to match vocabulary terms and definitions.
B. Materials
4. A copy of Vocabulary Lessons One-Three Quiz for each student
C. Key Vocabulary
1. To be curt is to be rude and abrupt.
2. Rueful means showing sadness.
3. A solicitor is another word for a lawyer.
4. Premises are buildings or parts of a building.
5. If we say that something is grave or graver, we mean that it is serious, or more
serious.
6. A grievance is a reason for complaining, or a complaint.
7. To endeavor to try hard at something.
8. Pounds in this story refer to units of money in England like dollars and cents in
America.
9. To be introspective is to be quiet and thoughtful; looking inside yourself and
your mind for the answer to a problem.
1. Pass out Vocabulary Lessons One-Three Quiz to each student. Have them
complete the quiz and turn it in according to your standard procedures.
2. Complete together the activity for Lesson Four Vocabulary in the Student
Notebooks. Go over the words together and give the students time to copy down
the definitions.
3. Remind students know that as they are reading aloud today that you will be
taking notes on their reading. This is not to make them nervous, but to prepare
them for the fact that you will be writing as they read. You may want to suggest
that they try to read clearly and with expression.
4. Begin the reading where you left off yesterday. (“However, in the morning I
determined to have a look at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and
with a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Pope's
Court.”) Today’s reading will be about Mr. Jabez Wilson’s first day working for
the Red-Headed League. He will explain what happens from there. Work on the
Oral Reading Chart as you call on students to read aloud.
5. Stop reading at the end of the paragraph where Sherlock is talking about the
German music programme and says, “It is introspective, and I want to introspect.
Come along!” Clarify any necessary parts of the story so far to the students
through a time of class discussion.
6. Have students discuss and write down their observations on Sherlock Holmes,
Dr. Watson, and Jabez Wilson, as well as adding notes on Duncan Ross and
Vincent Spaulding in the Notes on the Characters section of their Student
Notebooks. Let students know that you will be checking their Notebooks
throughout the unit and at the end, so that they know they must stay up on
everything.
1. The Appendix E, Chart for Oral Reading, is one assessment for today’s lesson.
2. The quiz over Lessons One-Three Vocabulary is another assessment.
3. The Notes on the Characters section of the Student Notebooks is an additional
assessment.
Lesson Five: Developing a Plan (45-60 minutes)

A. Daily Objectives
materials.
2. Lesson Content
with expression.
c. Students will be able to predict events in the story.
d. Students will be able to retell key events in their own words as a
character from the novel.
B. Materials
C. Key Vocabulary
1. When somewhere is described as shabby-genteel, it means that it once was a
rather nice, respectable place that has become run-down and worn.
2. Uncongenial means unfriendly, or unwelcoming.
3. The Underground is an English subway, or underground train.
4. Arteries are major streets that are part of a network of smaller streets.
5. Commerce means business; a place of buying and selling.
6. To vex someone is to upset or annoy them; to disturb or trouble them.
7. Conundrums are puzzles, or mystery.
8. Languid and languor both mean weak, or uninterested; to appear listless or
without much spirit.
9. Keen-witted means to be very smart and a quick thinker.
10. Intuition is a sense of something, an impression; an instinctive knowing of
something.
11. To look askance at someone to look at them with suspicion.
12. A revolver is a handgun.
13. To be dense is to be slow to understand what is going on around you.
14. If something is ominous, it is threatening.
15. A nocturnal expedition is an outing at night.
1. Due to the extensive number of vocabulary words in today’s lesson, the terms are
listed with their definitions already together. Introduce them to the students
before beginning the reading for today. Let them know that the vocabulary
section of the Final Exam will contain words from all seven lessons so they can
continue to study.
2. If you still need to complete the Oral Reading Chart for the class, try to finish it
during today’s lesson. This will of course depend on your number of students, as
well as how much you chose to have each student read. If you are assessing the
oral readings, remind students that you are doing so and that they should do their
best to read clearly and with expression.
3. Read from Dr. Watson saying, “We traveled by the Underground as far as
Aldersgate; and a short walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the
singular story which we had listened to in the morning.” filling out the Oral
Reading Chart as needed.
4. Stop when you get to where he says, “I tried to puzzle it out, but gave it up in
despair and set the matter aside until night should bring an explanation.” Review
and summarize the story thus far answering questions as needed.
5. Have students discuss and write down their additional observations on characters
already introduced in the Notes on the Characters section of their Student
Notebooks.
6. When they are done with that, they may begin the Journal Entry Activity for
Lesson Five in their Student Notebooks. You may make this activity something
to complete in class, or at home depending on time.
1. The Appendix E, Chart for Oral Reading, is one assessment for today’s lesson.
2. The Notes on the Characters section of the Student Notebooks is another
assessment.
3. The Journal Entry Activity for Lesson 5 in their Student Notebooks is an
additional assessment.
Lesson Six: There are Games Afoot! (The Crime is Revealed) (45-60 minutes)
A. Daily Objectives
materials.
2. Lesson Content
b. Students will read for knowledge and pleasure.
c. Students will begin analyzing different characters in the story to better
B. Materials
C. Key Vocabulary
1. A hansom is a two-wheeled carriage pulled by a horse.
2. A rubber was a gambling game played in the time period of this story.
3. To be tenacious is to hold firmly to something.
4. A thoroughfare is a street.
5. A formidable opponent is someone who is hard to beat.
6. To be imperiled is to be in danger.
7. To be sufficed is to be sufficient, or to meet the needs of something.
8. Glass as used in this story is a magnifying glass with which Sherlock will look
closer at evidence to see smaller details that might otherwise be overlooked
because they might be too small to see with just one’s eyes.
9. Misgivings are doubts.
10. Partie carrée is small, secretive gathering.
11. Compunction means a strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt; to be unsure
because you think something is wrong.
12. Acute in this story is used to mean sensitive; ready to react quickly.
13. Lurid means glowing or shining like fire.
14. Writhing is moving with some difficulty, like squeezing through a tight spot.
15. If something protruded, it means it stuck out; your nose protrudes from your
face.
16. An aperture is an opening.
17. Skirts are used in this part of the story to mean the coattails, or fabric that hangs
at the end of a man’s coat.
18. A hunting crop is a small whip.
19. Blandly means that something is uninteresting or dull.
20. Derbies and bracelets are handcuffs.
1. Due to the extensive number of vocabulary words in today’s lesson, the terms are
listed with their definitions already together. Introduce them to the students
before beginning the reading for today. Remind them that the vocabulary section
of the Final Exam will contain words from all seven lessons so they can continue
to study.
2. Begin today’s lesson by asking for questions and predictions from the students.
Discuss their thoughts and ideas. Let them know that they will discover the
mystery in today’s reading.
3. Next, share with the students that the police station at this time in the London
area is referred to as Scotland Yard. Today it is called the New Scotland Yard
because it has moved into a new location. The name comes from the street where
the police station was originally located.
4. Read together from, “It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and
made my way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Street.”
Dr. Watson has arrived at Holmes’ home as requested for that evening. We are
about to discover what the mystery is all about.
5. Stop reading after Sherlock says, “"I have had one or two little scores of my own
to settle with Mr. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense
over this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that I am
amply repaid by having had an experience which is in many ways unique, and by
hearing the very remarkable narrative of the Red-headed League." Tomorrow’s
reading will conclude the story with the explanation for how Sherlock put all the
clues together and solved the mystery.
6. Finally, have students discuss and write down their additional observations on
Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Jabez Wilson, Duncan Ross and Vincent
Spaulding as well as adding notes on Mr. Jones and Mr. Merryweather in the
Notes on the Characters section of their Student Notebooks.
1. The Notes on the Characters section of the Student Notebooks is another
assessment.
Lesson Seven: It’s Elementary, My Dear Watson! (Sherlock Explains How He Solved the
Mystery) (45-60 minutes)
A. Daily Objectives
materials.
2. Lesson Content
a. Students will read for knowledge and pleasure.
b. Students will increase learning and reading vocabulary.
c. Students will begin analyzing different characters in the story to better
understand them and their choices
B. Materials
C. Key Vocabulary
1. To be ingenious is to be brilliant or a genius.
2. A rogue is a scoundrel or a trickster; one who doesn’t care about right and
wrong.
3. Expenditure is an expense, or money spent.
4. Abutted means to touch at an end or side.
5. Unfeigned means genuine or real.
6. Ennui is boredom.
1. You will conclude the story today with Sherlock’s explanation of how he solved
the mystery.
2. First, have students review the last vocabulary activity, Lesson Seven
Vocabulary, in their Student Notebooks. Practice pronunciation of each word.
Remind students they can leave the vocabulary section open during the reading to
help them understand the words in context. Remind them also that the
vocabulary section of the Final Exam will contain words from all seven lessons
so they can continue to study.
3. Finish reading the story as per your desired procedure.
4. Share with the students, Sherlock’s last comment in the story is, “L’homme c’est
rien-loeuvre c’est tout.” This French phrase, originally used between two well-
known European authors means, “The man is nothing-the work is all.” In other
words, Sherlock is somewhat belittleling his accomplishment in solving the
mystery of “The Red-Headed League” by saying that all that matters is that the
crime is solved; it doesn’t matter who solved it. What do you think of that
statement? How would this story be different if someone else were trying to solve
the mystery? Does Sherlock himself matter, or is it just about the crime?
Encourage the students to share their thoughts. There is no right or wrong
answer to this.
5. Follow up by having the students summarize the conclusion of the story. Correct
any errors as needed. Encourage the students to ask questions about parts they
may not have understood. Continue until you feel the students have a good
understanding of the story.
6. Review as a class the Notes from Lesson One in the Student Notebooks. Discuss
how this story measured up to the Six Rules of a Good Detective Story. Not
everyone needs to agree that this is a good detective story. Tell the students that
on the Final Exam they will need to explain their viewpoint and justify it. There
is not a right or wrong answer to this, as long as they can logically support their
view.
7. Have them finish filling in any additional observations on the characters in their
Notebooks.
1. The Final Exam will be the assessment for this lesson.
VI. CULMINATING ACTIVITY

A. The culminating activity for this unit is the Final Exam. Be sure to have one copy for
each student ready. Go over the items on the test to make sure they are clear to the
students. Test according to your normal procedures.
B. When finished you may wish to watch a video of a Sherlock Holmes story, if one is
available to you.
C. You may enjoy playing a mystery game like “Clue” as a class as a fun ending to the unit.
Simply divide the class into equal groups for the number of characters (Colonel
Mustard’s Group, for example) in the game. Each group will play according to the
regular rules, but must work with their group to try to solve the mystery. They must
agree as a group before they can share their guesses.
D. Otherwise, you may wish to encourage students to continue to read other Sherlock
Holmes mysteries like “The Speckled Band” or “The Blue Carbuncle,” whatever may
appear in your anthology.
VII. HANDOUTS/WORKSHEETS
A. Appendix A: Background Information on Sherlock Holmes for Teachers
B. Appendix B: Background Information on Detective Stories for Teachers
C. Appendix C: Master Vocabulary List for Teachers
D. Appendix D: Assessment for Lesson One’s Vocabulary
E. Appendix E: Chart for Oral Reading
F. Appendix F: Vocabulary Assessment for Lessons One-Three
G. Appendix G: Final Exam (three pages)
H. Appendix H: Answer Keys for Teachers (two pages)
I. Appendix I: Student Notebook (ten pages)
VIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY
A. Background Information on Characteristics of a Detective Story: “Teacher’s Guide to
The Core Classics Edition of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Selected Adventures of
Sherlock Holmes” by Judy Gardner, available at www.coreknowledge.org.
B. Background Information on the History of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock
Holmes: available at http://www.oneact.org/holmes/holmesinfopg.html .
C. Core Knowledge Foundation. Core Knowledge Sequence. Core Knowledge Foundation:
Charlottesville, 1999. 1-890517-20-8
D. Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan. The Best of Sherlock Holmes. London: Orion Publishing
Group, 1996, ISBN 0-460-87368-7.
Appendix A
Background Information on Sherlock Holmes for Teachers
"By a man's finger-nails, by his coat-sleeve, by his boots, by his trouser-knees, by the callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by
his expression, by his shirt- cuffs -- by each of these things a man's calling is plainly revealed. That all united should fail to
enlighten the competent inquirer in any case is almost inconceivable."
- From A Study In Scarlet
This description from Sherlock Holmes about the details he uses to figure out crimes is a window into his mind. He seems
surprised that not everyone notices and applies reason to the observable details of peoples’ lives. He is able to do what he does
not just out of shear genius, but by paying attention. It is his belief that others could do what he does if they would decide to pay
attention more and draw the right conclusions about what they observe.
*****
From- http://www.oneact.org/holmes/holmesinfopg.html
A Brief History of Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Without question one of the most recognized and beloved characters ever created is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's
Sherlock Holmes.
It is no surprise then that a fair number of people to this day believe that Holmes is not a fictional character at all,
but a once living and breathing thinker of the first order, quick to assist clients ranging from a scandal-prone
European aristocracy to Scotland Yard's often baffled detectives. And let us not forget the many and varied
commoners from all walks of English life who found their most perplexing puzzles swiftly pieced together by
Holmes, and who today give us a wonderful peek into Edwardian England.
As great as his popularity might be, and as long-lasting as his legend has proven, Holmes is a fictional construct. It
is known through Doyle's own comments that Holmes is based on Dr. Joseph Bell. Dr. Bell amazed medical
students, including a young Doyle in 1876, with his "miraculous" diagnostic abilities, often deducing a patient's
ailment "as soon as they walked through the door, sometimes before they had opened their mouths ... He would tell
them their symptoms and even give them details of their past life, and very seldom was he in error." Sound like
someone we know?
In 1887 the first Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet, appeared in a small paperback, The Beeton's Christmas Annual,
for which Doyle received £25 ($60) and tepid reviews. Holmes' existence very nearly ended right there, but in
February 1890 The Sign of the Four appeared as the lead story in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine and was better
received.
The Strand published the Holmes adventures throughout 1891, 1892 and 1893, making Doyle the most popular
writer of short stories in England, but the work was all-consuming, and he soon grew tired of the character. He
wanted to branch out from the detective genre to write historical novels and even science fiction, and so in the
twenty-sixth Holmes story penned by Doyle, The Final Problem, the author did the unthinkable: He KILLED
Sherlock Holmes.
"That's that," Doyle remarked with finality, but the dismissal would prove more difficult than the author anticipated
-- the public it seemed was not yet ready for such an end. Doyle was assailed from all sides to resurrect the great
detective, but he held out for nearly ten years. Then in 1902, the year of his knighthood, Doyle relented and The
Hound of the Baskervilles was published, quickly devoured by a reading public ravenous for Holmes' brilliant
deductions and Watson's faithful assistance.
Hound was followed in 1903 by the next series of adventures, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, then came The
Adventure of the Empty House, and next was His Last Bow (another vain attempt at ending his character's career).
Finally, in 1927, Doyle concluded the Holmes canon, forty years after he began it, with The Casebook of Sherlock
Holmes.
Appendix B
Background Information on Detective Stories for Teachers
(for use with Lesson One)
From “Teacher’s Guide to The Core Classics Edition of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Selected
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” by Judy Gardner
Characteristics of a Detective Story

Six Rules of a Good Detective Story
The six standards most good detective stories follow are:
1. The crime must be significant.
2. The detective must be memorable.
3. The criminal must be a worthy opponent.
4. The clues must be made available to the reader.
5. The suspects must appear early in the story.
6. The solution must be reasonable and possible.
C. Hugh Holman’s A Handbook to Literature defines a detective story as “a novel or short story
in which a crime, usually a murder – the identity of the perpetrator unknown – is solved by a
detective through a logical assembling and interpretation of palpable evidence, known as clues.”
2
The first detective stories were written by Edgar Allan Poe, and Conan Doyle acknowledged
their influence on his writing. A good detective story generally follows six “unwritten rules.”
First, the crime must be significant, worthy of the attention it receives. Most stories involve
murder, though Conan Doyle tied the majority of his crimes to greed and theft.
Second, the detective must be in some way a memorable character. He or she must be very
intelligent, of course, unusually clever and observant, but also quirky, possessing perhaps some
odd idiosyncrasies that distinguish him or her. Kojak’s lollipop, Columbo’s crumpled raincoat,
James Bond’s unruffled cool and high-tech gadgets, all of these things make the hero somehow
distinct.
Third, along with an exceptional detective, there must be an outstanding opponent, a criminal
clever enough to be a match for the hero. Solving the crime can’t be too easy.
Fourth, because a large part of the attraction of a detective story is the opportunity for the reader
to try to figure out the solution along with the detective, all suspects of the crime must be
introduced early in the story, and
Fifth, all clues the detective discovers must be made available to the reader also.
Finally, at the end of the story, the solution must seem obvious, logical, and possible. The crime
must not have resulted from accident or supernatural intervention, and the detective must be able
to explain all aspects of the case in a reasonable way. A fine detective story should meet each
one of these standards.
Appendix C
Master Vocabulary List for Teachers
(in order of appearance)
Lesson One To endeavor to try hard at something.
Deductive reasoning is the use of observation (seeing) and logic to make Pounds in this story refer to units of money in England like dollars and cents in
decisions about the world around you. To deduce is the verb form of this America.
phrase. To be introspective is to be quiet and thoughtful; looking inside yourself and
Stout, portly and obese are all words used in this story to describe someone your mind for the answer to a problem.
who is very overweight.
Florid-faced describes someone whose face is red. Lesson Five
To embellish something is to add to it. For example, if you embellish a story When somewhere is described as shabby-genteel, it means that it once was a
you may make it seem more interesting than it truly is. rather nice, respectable place that has become run-down and worn.
To recommence means to start over. Uncongenial means unfriendly, or unwelcoming.
Frayed is used to describe fabric that is worn out, or threadbare. The Underground is an English subway, or underground train.
Chagrin is annoyance or embarrassment because of a failure or disappointment. Arteries are major streets that are part of a network of smaller streets.
Snuff is tobacco that is sniffed through the nose rather than smoked. Commerce means business; a place of buying and selling.
To vex someone is to upset or annoy them; to disturb or trouble them.
Lesson Two Conundrums are puzzles, or mystery.
A league is a group of people who get together for a common interest, or Languid and languor both mean weak, or uninterested; to appear listless or
purpose. without much spirit.
A Freemason is a man who belongs to the Masons, a group with secret Keen-witted means to be very smart and a quick thinker.
ceremonies and signs. Intuition is a sense of something, an impression; an instinctive knowing of
A bequest is money left behind for a specific purpose after someone has died. something.
Nominal means small; a nominal amount of something is a small or minimal To look askance at someone to look at them with suspicion.
amount. A revolver is a handgun.
Ejaculated means to shout out or exclaim loudly. To be dense is to be slow to understand what is going on around you.
Pawnbrokers are people who loan money to others for a fee. The person who If something is ominous, it is threatening.
wants the money leaves something of value with the pawnbroker. He or she has A nocturnal expedition is an outing at night.
a chance to buy his or her item back for the amount of money the pawnbroker
gave them, plus more money for interest. If the person does not come in the Lesson Six
time given to buy back his or her item, then the pawnbroker gets to keep it and A hansom is a two-wheeled carriage pulled by a horse.
sell it to someone else for more money. A rubber was a gambling game played in the time period of this story.
A widower is a man whose wife has died To be tenacious is to hold firmly to something.
A vice is a bad habit. A thoroughfare is a street.
A formidable opponent is someone who is hard to beat.
Lesson Three To be imperiled is to be in danger.
Vacancies are openings, or empty spaces. To be sufficed is to be sufficient, or to meet the needs of something.
Trustees are members in charge of a group or organization. Glass as used in this story is a magnifying glass with which Sherlock will look
A berth is a job. closer at evidence to see smaller details that might otherwise be overlooked
To be dejected is to be depressed, or have very low spirits. because they might be too small to see with just one’s eyes.
To perceive is to be aware of, or to understand something. Misgivings are doubts.
To be deceived is to be tricked or fooled. Partie carree is small, secretive gathering.
Cobbler’s wax is another term for shoe polish. In this story they mention it Compunction means a strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt; to be
because they claim that some people have tried to change their hair color by unsure because you think something is wrong.
putting red shoe polish on it so that they could join The Red-Headed League. Acute in this story is used to mean sensitive; ready to react quickly.
Pensioners are people who get a pension or a set amount of money from a Lurid means glowing or shining like fire.
person or fund. Writhing is moving with some difficulty, like squeezing through a tight spot.
A benefactor is a person who helps others, usually by giving them money. If something protruded, it means it stuck out; your nose protrudes from your
Propagation means to reproduce or make more of something. face.
Avail means to help. An aperture is an opening.
A billet is a short letter or note. Skirts are used in this part of the story to mean the coattails, or fabric that hangs
Both hoax and fraud mean a trick, or an attempt to fool a person. at the end of a man’s coat.
Sovereigns are British gold coins. A hunting crop is a small whip.
Foolscap paper is inexpensive writing paper Blandly means that something is uninteresting or dull.
Derbies and bracelets are handcuffs.
Lesson Four
To be curt is to be rude and abrupt. Lesson Seven
Rueful means showing sadness. To be ingenious is to be brilliant or a genius.
A solicitor is another word for a lawyer. A rogue is a scoundrel or a trickster; one who doesn’t care about right and
Premises are buildings or parts of a building. wrong.
If we say that something is grave or graver, we mean that it is serious, or more Expenditure is an expense, or money spent.
serious. Abutted means to touch at an end or side.
A grievance is a reason for complaining, or a complaint. Unfeigned means genuine or real.
Ennui is boredom
5th Grade, Sherlock Holmes’ “The Red-Headed League” 2005 Colorado Unit Writing Project 16
Appendix D
Assessment for Lesson One’s Vocabulary
Name: __________________________________
Directions: Fill in the blank with the correct vocabulary word.
deductive reasoning stout, portly and obese florid-faced

embellish recommence frayed chagrin snuff
1. ______________________________ is as bad for your health as smoking

tobacco.
2. Mr. Jabez is described as __________________________________ because

he is a very large, overweight man.
3. We had to ____________________________________ our story from the

beginning when someone new came into the room who hadn’t heard what
we said already.
4. It was time to get a new coat because the edges of the sleeves were all
______________________________.
5. His face was full of ______________________________ when he realized

with embarrassment that he had erased the group’s entire project on the
computer by accident.
6. He was _________________________________ after being outside in the

cold without a scarf wrapped around his face.
7. Sherlock uses __________________________________________________

to try to solve crimes and make decisions by paying attention to the details
he sees.
8. They decided to ____________________________ their story to their

parents to make it seem more exciting than it truly was.
Appendix E
Chart for Oral Reading
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Appendix F
Vocabulary Quiz for Lessons One-Three
Name: _______________________
Put the letter of the correct vocabulary term next to its definition.
A. snuff B. frayed C. deductive reasoning D. vice
E. pawnbrokers F. sovereigns G. perceive H. cobbler’s wax
I. widower J. florid-faced K. league
1. ______ is the use of observation (seeing) and logic to make decisions about
the world around you.
2. ______ describes someone whose face is red.
3. ______ is tobacco that is sniffed through the nose rather than smoked.
4. ______ is used to describe fabric that is worn out, or threadbare.
5. A ______ is a group of people who get together for a common interest, or

purpose.
6. _______ are people who loan money to others for a fee in exchange for
something of value.
7. A _____is a bad habit.
8. A ______ is a man whose wife has died
9. _____ is another term for shoe polish.
10. To _____ is to be aware of, or to understand something.
11. _____ are British gold coins.
Fifth Grade, Sherlock Homes: “The Red-Headed League” 2005 Colorado Unit Writing Project 19
Appendix G, page 1
Final Exam
Name: ___________________________________
I. Matching (Knowledge Questions)

Match the name to the description of the character. You will use some names several times.
You may write the full name, or just the last name.
Sherlock Holmes Dr. Watson Mr. Jabez Wilson Vincent Spaulding

Mr. Jones Mr. Merryweather John Clay
1. ___________________________ is a police officer.

2. ___________________________ is a sleuth/detective.
3. ___________________________ is a pawnbroker.
4. ___________________________ enjoys music concerts a lot.
5. ___________________________ spends a lot of time developing pictures.
6. ___________________________ used the alias Vincent Spaulding.
7. ___________________________ asks Dr. Watson to bring his revolver/gun to the bank.
8. ___________________________ led them down into the bank cellar.
9. ___________________________ works for Scotland Yard.
10. ___________________________ has been to China.
11. ___________________________ considers himself to be a gentleman and tells the police
to be nice to him.
12. ___________________________ works an important job at the bank.
13. ___________________________ is the narrator of this story.
14. ___________________________ works for the pawnbroker.
II. Short answer-(Knowledge and Comprehension Questions)

15. What clue let Sherlock know Jabez Wilson had done manual labor?
16. What clue let him know that Jabez Wilson had spent time in China?
17. After Jabez Wilson left Sherlock Holmes’ house, Sherlock and Dr. Watson went to
pawnshop. Why did they go there?
Appendix G, page 2
Final Exam
18. What was the significance of Sherlock tapping his cane on the ground outside the
pawnshop?
19. What did the advertisement say was the purpose of the Red-Headed League?
20. What was the real purpose of the Red-Headed League?
21. Who had really set up the League?
22. What was Jabez Wilson’s job for the Red-Headed League?
23. Why did the League dissolve?
24. Why was Vincent Spaulding willing to work for only half the normal pay?
III. Evaluative Questions:
25. Did Jabez Wilson do anything wrong, or criminal, in the story?
26. Do you think “The Red-Headed League” meets the requirements of being a good
detective story? Why or why not?
Appendix G, page 3
Final Exam
IV. Fill in the blanks with the correct vocabulary term.
vice avail uncongenial embellish curt hansom

grievance commerce league ingenious benefactor vex
ennui tenacious conundrums deductive reasoning
1. ________________________________is the use of observation (seeing) and logic to

make decisions about the world around you.
2. To ___________________________something is to add to it.
3. A(n) ____________________________ is a group of people who get together for a

common interest, or purpose.
4. A(n) __________________________is a bad habit.
5. A(n) ___________________________is a person who helps others, usually by giving

them money.
6. ___________________________ means to help.
7. To be _________________________ is to be rude and abrupt.
8. A(n) _________________________ is a reason for complaining, or a complaint.
9. _________________________ means unfriendly, or unwelcoming.
10. _________________________ means business; a place of buying and selling.
11. To _________________________ someone is to upset or annoy them; to disturb or

trouble them.
12. _________________________ are puzzles, or mystery.
13. A(n) _________________________ is a two-wheeled carriage pulled by a horse.
14. To be _________________________ is to hold firmly to something.
15. To be _________________________ is to be brilliant or a genius.
16. _________________________ is boredom.
Appendix H, page 1
Answer Keys for Teachers
Appendix I, Student Notebook Lesson One Notes
1. significant 4. clues
2. detective 5. suspects
3. criminal 6. reasonable and possible.
Appendix D, Assessment for Lesson One’s Vocabulary

1. snuff 5. chagrin
2. stout, portly, obese 6. florid-faced
3. recommence 7. deductive reasoning
4. frayed 8. embellish
Appendix F, Vocabulary Assessment for Lesson One-Three

1. C
2. J
3. A
4. B
5. K
6. E
7. D
8. I
9. H
10. G
11. F
Appendix G, Final Exam

Fill in the Blanks:
1. Mr. Jones
2. Sherlock Homes
3. Mr. Jabez Wilson
4. Sherlock Holmes
5. Vincent Spaulding
6. John Clay
7. Sherlock Holmes
8. Mr. Merryweather
9. Mr. Jones
10. Mr. Jabez Wilson
11. John Clay or Vincent Spaulding
Appendix H, page 2
Answer Keys for Teachers
Fill in the Blanks:
12. Mr. Merryweather
13. Dr. Watson
14. Vincent Spaulding or John Clay
Short Answers:
15. one of his hands was larger than the other
16. his fish tattoo and/or the Chinese coin on his watch chain
17. so Sherlock could see Vincent Spaulding and/or to see what else was around the
pawnshop
18. he wanted to see if the ground was hollow, to see where the cellar went to
19. to help out men with red hair
20. to get Jabez Wilson out of the way so they could dig the tunnel
21. Vincent Spaulding or John Clay or William Morris or Duncan Ross or Archie (all are
true)
22. he was supposed to copy out the encyclopedia
23. because the tunnel was finished
24. he really wanted to be the person to get the job and/or he didn’t care how much money he
made because he was going to rob the bank
25. no
26. Answers will vary. Be sure that students can justify their response.
Vocabulary:
1. deductive reasoning
2. embellish
3. league
4. vice
5. benefactor
6. avail
7. curt
8. grievance
9. uncongenial
10. commerce
11. vex
12. conundrums
13. hansom
14. tenacious
15. ingenious
16. ennui
Appendix I, page 1
Student Notebook
“The Red- Headed League”

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Featuring: Sherlock Holmes
This Student Notebook Belongs to:

_____________________________________
Appendix I, page 2
Student Notebook
Notes on Classic Detective/Mystery Stories:

The six standards (guidelines) most good detective stories follow are:
1. The crime must be ______________________________________, or important.
2. The _____________________________________ must be memorable. He or she

usually has several distinct characteristics that make a reader want to know and read more
about him or her.
3. The __________________________ must be a worthy opponent. Detective stories are

more satisfying when they involve both an interesting criminal and crime solver.
Catching someone because he or she made a careless, unthinking action is not as
interesting as it would be if the criminal has a well thought out plan that you are able to
unravel.
4. The ______________________, or pieces of the puzzle must be made available to the

reader. To find out later that important information has been left out for the reader on
purpose just to keep them from figuring out the mystery is unsatisfying.
5. The _________________________ must appear early in the story. Even if they are not
obviously mentioned as a suspicious person, they must be presented as a character in the
story. It is not good to have the culprit be some random stranger that no one reading the
story has even heard of.
6. The solution must be __________________________ and ______________________.

Having a solution that could not possibly occur leaved a reader dissatisfied.
Appendix I, page 3
Student Notebook
Vocabulary for Lesson One
1. Deductive reasoning ____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Stout, portly or obese ___________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Florid-faced ___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
4. To embellish something is to add to it. For example, if you embellish a story you may make it
seem more interesting than it truly is.
5. ____ recommence ______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
6. Frayed _______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
7. Chagrin ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
8. Snuff ________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary for Lesson Two

1. _____ league ___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2. _____ Freemason _______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
3. _____ bequest _________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix I, page 4
Student Notebook
4. Nominal ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
5. Ejaculated ____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
6. Pawnbrokers are people who loan money to others for a fee. The person who wants the money
leaves something of value with the pawnbroker. He or she has a chance to buy his or her item
back for the amount of money the pawnbroker gave them, plus more money for interest. If the
person does not come in the time given to buy back his or her item, then the pawnbroker gets to
keep it and sell it to someone else for more money.
7. _____ vice ____________________________________________________________________
8. _____widower ____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary for Lesson Three

1. Vacancies ______________________________________________________________
2. Trustees ________________________________________________________________
3. _____berth _____________________________________________________________
4. _______ dejected ________________________________________________________
5. _____ perceive __________________________________________________________
6. ________ deceived _______________________________________________________
7. Cobbler’s wax is another term for shoe polish. In this story they mention it because they
claim that some people have tried to change their hair color by putting red shoe polish on
it so that they could join The Red-Headed League.
8. Pensioners ______________________________________________________________
Appendix I, page 5
Student Notebook
9. ____ benefactor _________________________________________________________
10. Propagation ____________________________________________________________
11. Avail _________________________________________________________________
12. _____ billet _____________________________________________________________
13. Both hoax and fraud mean a trick, or an attempt to fool a person.
14. Sovereigns ______________________________________________________________
15. Foolscap paper __________________________________________________________
Vocabulary for Lesson Four

1. __________ curt _________________________________________________________
2. Rueful _________________________________________________________________
3. _____ solicitor ___________________________________________________________
4. Premises _______________________________________________________________
5. If we say that something is grave or graver, we mean that it is serious, or more serious.
6. _____ grievance _________________________________________________________
7. _____ endeavor _________________________________________________________
8. Pounds ________________________________________________________________
9. ________ introspective ___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Appendix I, page 6
Student Notebook
Notes on the Characters
Write your observations about each person as you read the story. Add material as requested by your teacher as
needed. Use these notes to help you study for the Final Exam.
Sherlock Holmes
Dr. Watson
Jabez Wilson
Appendix I, page 7
Student Notebook
Vincent Spaulding
Duncan Ross
Mr. Jones
Mr. Merryweather
Appendix I, page 8
Student Notebook
Journal Entry Activity for Lesson Five

Pretend you are Dr. Watson. You’ve just left Sherlock Holmes after
the concert and are awaiting your appointment with him for the evening.
Write about today’s events summarizing them as you write. Make a
prediction about what you think might be going on. Feel free to
express your puzzlement about the events and Sherlock’s actions.
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Appendix I, page 9
Student Notebook
Be sure that you understand all the words and what they mean!
If not, the story will not make any sense.
Vocabulary for Lesson Five

1. When somewhere is described as shabby-genteel, it means that it once was a rather nice,
respectable place that has become run-down and worn.
2. Uncongenial means unfriendly, or unwelcoming.
3. The Underground is an English subway, or underground train.
4. Arteries are major streets that are part of a network of smaller streets.
5. Commerce means business; a place of buying and selling.
6. To vex someone is to upset or annoy them; to disturb or trouble them.
7. Conundrums are puzzles, or mystery.
8. Languid and languor both mean weak, or uninterested; to appear listless or without much spirit.
9. Keen-witted means to be very smart and a quick thinker.
10. Intuition is a sense of something, an impression; an instinctive knowing of something.
11. To look askance at someone to look at them with suspicion.
12. A revolver is a handgun.
13. To be dense is to be slow to understand what is going on around you.
14. If something is ominous, it is threatening.
15. A nocturnal expedition is an outing at night.
Vocabulary for Lesson Six

1. A hansom is a two-wheeled carriage pulled by a horse.
2. A rubber was a gambling game played in the time period of this story.
3. To be tenacious is to hold firmly to something.
4. A thoroughfare is a street.
5. A formidable opponent is someone who is hard to beat.
6. To be imperiled is to be in danger.
7. To be sufficed is to be sufficient, or to meet the needs of something.
8. Glass as used in this story is a magnifying glass with which Sherlock will look closer at evidence
to see smaller details that might otherwise be overlooked because they might be too small to see
with just one’s eyes.
(Keep on going!)
Appendix I, page 10
Student Notebook
9. Misgivings are doubts.
10. Partie carrée is small, secretive gathering.
11. Compunction means a strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt; to be unsure because you
think something is wrong.
12. Acute in this story is used to mean sensitive; ready to react quickly.
13. Lurid means glowing or shining like fire.
14. Writhing is moving with some difficulty, like squeezing through a tight spot.
15. If something is protruded, it means it stuck out; your nose protrudes from your face.
16. An aperture is an opening.
17. Skirts are used in this part of the story to mean the coattails, or fabric that hangs at the end of a
man’s coat.
18. A hunting crop is a small whip.
19. Blandly means that something is uninteresting or dull.
20. Derbies and bracelets are handcuffs.
Vocabulary for Lesson Seven

1. _________ ingenious _____________________________________________________
2. _____ rogue _____________________________________________________________
3. _____ expenditure _______________________________________________________
4. Abutted ________________________________________________________________
5. Unfeigned ______________________________________________________________
6. Ennui __________________________________________________________________

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Sherlock Holmes: “The Red-Headed League”

Grade Level or Special Area: 5th Grade

III. BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

Lesson Two: Introduction to “The Red-Headed League” (45-60 minutes)

Lesson Three: The Plot Thickens…the Mystery is Revealed (45-60 minutes)

Lesson Four: Trying to Discover a Crime (45-60 minutes)

Lesson Five: Developing a Plan (45-60 minutes)

VI. CULMINATING ACTIVITY

A Brief History of Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Characteristics of a Detective Story

Directions: Fill in the blank with the correct vocabulary word.

deductive reasoning stout, portly and obese florid-faced

1. ______________________________ is as bad for your health as smoking

2. Mr. Jabez is described as __________________________________ because

3. We had to ____________________________________ our story from the

5. His face was full of ______________________________ when he realized

6. He was _________________________________ after being outside in the

7. Sherlock uses __________________________________________________

8. They decided to ____________________________ their story to their

2. ______ describes someone whose face is red.

4. ______ is used to describe fabric that is worn out, or threadbare.

5. A ______ is a group of people who get together for a common interest, or

7. A _____is a bad habit.

8. A ______ is a man whose wife has died

9. _____ is another term for shoe polish.

10. To _____ is to be aware of, or to understand something.

11. _____ are British gold coins.

I. Matching (Knowledge Questions)

Sherlock Holmes Dr. Watson Mr. Jabez Wilson Vincent Spaulding

1. ___________________________ is a police officer.

II. Short answer-(Knowledge and Comprehension Questions)

20. What was the real purpose of the Red-Headed League?

21. Who had really set up the League?

23. Why did the League dissolve?

III. Evaluative Questions:

25. Did Jabez Wilson do anything wrong, or criminal, in the story?

vice avail uncongenial embellish curt hansom

1. ________________________________is the use of observation (seeing) and logic to

2. To ___________________________something is to add to it.

3. A(n) ____________________________ is a group of people who get together for a

4. A(n) __________________________is a bad habit.

5. A(n) ___________________________is a person who helps others, usually by giving

6. ___________________________ means to help.

7. To be _________________________ is to be rude and abrupt.

8. A(n) _________________________ is a reason for complaining, or a complaint.

9. _________________________ means unfriendly, or unwelcoming.

10. _________________________ means business; a place of buying and selling.

11. To _________________________ someone is to upset or annoy them; to disturb or

12. _________________________ are puzzles, or mystery.

13. A(n) _________________________ is a two-wheeled carriage pulled by a horse.

14. To be _________________________ is to hold firmly to something.

15. To be _________________________ is to be brilliant or a genius.

16. _________________________ is boredom.

Appendix D, Assessment for Lesson One’s Vocabulary

Appendix F, Vocabulary Assessment for Lesson One-Three

Appendix G, Final Exam

“The Red- Headed League”

Featuring: Sherlock Holmes

This Student Notebook Belongs to:

6. The solution must be ____ and .

5. recommence __________________________________________________________

2. _ Freemason ___________________________________________________________

3. _ bequest _____________________________________________________________

7. _ vice ________________________________________________________________

4. _ dejected __________________________________________________

5. _ perceive ______________________________________________________

6. deceived _______________________________________________

12. _ billet _________________________________________________________

3. _ solicitor _______________________________________________________

6. _ grievance _____________________________________________________

7. _ endeavor _____________________________________________________

9. introspective ___________________________________________

2. _ rogue _________________________________________________________

3. _ expenditure ___________________________________________________