"Elementary, my dear Watson"

The other day I went to see the latest Sherlock Holmes' movie, which I absolutely loved (a little bit biased opinion, as I completely adore Robert D. Jr. and Jude Law....ahhhh). Anyway, I loved being taken into Victorian England, specially into 221b Baker Street. This is a great way to get our students really involved in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's best known character, and we could plan a whole unit or even term on this famous character. But, with all the information going around the Internet, What can we do to find what we are looking for, or How do we guide our students into finding it?...Elementary: WEBQUESTS!!!!

If you are not familiar with this term, a WebQuest is an on-line learning activity, where students, in groups, work on an appealing task trying to solve a problem through the use of Internet as the main source of information. The idea is to acquire and integrate new knowledge (short term) and to develop creative and critical thinking (long term) rather than copying and pasting the information.

For more information about WebQuests and how to create them, go to webquest.org.
Here's a list of interesting sites related to this famous and intriguing character, and its creator:

Sherlock Holmes

The Sherlock Holmes Society of London
A literary and social Society, publishing a scholarly Journal and occasional papers, and holding meetings, dinners and excursions.

Sherlockian.​Net
A web portal about a great detective.

221b Baker Street
Downloadable short stories (pdf).

The original stories
Links to texts of the short stories and the novels.


Arthur Conan Doyle (Sir)

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A brief biography. Click the "watch video" link to hear Conan Doyle explain his inspiration for Holmes.

Arthur Conan Doyle
Biography and links to e-texts of the 4 novels. Click on "The
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" for links to e-texts of twelve short

stories.

The Chronicles
of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A website for enthusiasts, with a wide variety of information.


Lesson Time

Mystery Story Activity

Try this mystery story activity and unlock the mystery of mystery writing.
This activity is ideal if you enjoy easy crafts and a good mystery.

What You'll Need:

• Classic mysteries (such as Sherlock Holmes)


• Notebook


• Pens
  

Mysteries are some of the most popular books sold in the United States and around
the world. But what's the secret to a good mystery? The hidden

treasure? The butler? The mysterious house guest?

As you read your favorite mystery, take a few notes. Keep track of the secrets
your fictional sleuth uncovers as he or she goes about solving the

mystery. Then rewrite key scenes, changing those secrets.

How would your changes affect the outcome of the story? Only you can decide!