This Zoo Grammar Mystery is the perfect way to practice contractions while keeping your 2nd and 3rd grade detectives engaged! It’s a grammar escape room designed as a fun animal-themed mystery activity. Second and third grade students solve clues through skill-based grammar worksheets. It has 2 versions: contractions and a parts of speech review, so you can differentiate. Both print and digital mystery options are included: ideal for centers, partners, small groups, whole group, or a talk like a zoo classroom transformation.
$6.00
This contractions grammar mystery 2nd and 3rd grade students love is a fun and engaging way to practice grammar skills! Designed as a zoo escape room game, students solve clues that are interactive and exciting. These printable and digital grammar worksheets turn reading practice into a reading mystery game for second and third grade. Use it during whole group, centers, small groups, partners, or as part of a classroom transformation.
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Teachers want grammar practice that doesn’t feel boring or repetitive. This zoo grammar mystery transforms worksheets into a game where every clue solved brings students closer to discovering the culprit.
No prep required – just print and go
Fun storyline – solve a themed mystery
Differentiated options – two versions included
Flexible use – whole group, centers, or small groups
Digital version included – assign in Google Slides or Classroom
Introduce the Story – Tell students the premise; they’ll solve grammar-based clues to uncover the final answer.
Complete Worksheets – Each page practices 2nd-3rd grade grammar skills.
Cross Off Suspects – Students eliminate options from their suspect list as they solve.
Reveal the Answer – When all clues are complete, the mystery is solved!
It’s that simple—no cutting, sorting, or prep beyond printing.
The zoo worksheets (aka clues!) focus on:
Looking for differentiation? Each resource includes a bonus mystery focused on reviewing basic parts of speech. While most of the class works on the main grammar skill, students who need extra practice with nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions can complete this version instead. The bonus mystery is designed to look and feel exactly like the main one, with the same style of clues and the same final solution. This way, every student is engaged in the same mystery storyline, but the skill level can be adjusted to meet their needs seamlessly.
This 2nd and 3rd grade grammar activity comes in two formats:
Printable Worksheets (PDF) – Great for whole-class lessons, small groups, or literacy centers.
Digital Google Slides Version – Easy to assign in Google Classroom and great for schools with limited printing.
Both options save you prep time and keep students engaged.
Two versions of the mystery: (V1) specific grades 2-3 grammar skill and a (V2) general parts of speech review
3-clue and 5-clue options for differentiation
Printable PDFs + digital Google Slides (downloadable to PowerPoint)
Recording sheets, suspect list, certificate of completion
Fast-finisher directed drawing activities
There are many ways to use this zoo mystery activity:
Partners: Use this as a collaboration activity or in reading centers.
Small Groups: Use at the back table for guided reading instruction.
Fast Finishers: Early finishers can complete a certificate or themed directed drawing.
Classroom Transformation: Create a grammar escape room day without hours of decorating.
This zoo mystery goes beyond worksheets—it turns grammar into a memorable experience.
Print-and-go with no prep
Keeps students engaged with a fun theme
Covers second grade and third grade grammar standards
Reading mysteries aren’t just math mysteries with different worksheets—they’re completely new!
Brand-new grammar-based clues
Unique mystery conclusions
Skills focused on reading, not math
The only shared piece reading mysteries have with math mysteries is the suspect list at the start. Students can enjoy solving both math and grammar mysteries for double the fun!
Do these come with 3 clues or 5 clues?
Both! There are 2 versions so you can use the version that works best with your class. Or, you could differentiate and use the 3 clue version with some students and the 5 clue version with other groups. Both versions lead to the same conclusion/culprit, ensuring that students will not be aware of the different leveled assignments.
Are the grammar mysteries the same as the MATH mysteries?
No. Grammar mysteries have their own unique set of clues that focus on grammar and reading skills. While the structure is similar, the storylines and solutions are different from the math mysteries. The only part that’s the same is the initial list of suspects—but each mystery has a different culprit. Check out the preview to see the differences in detail—you can absolutely purchase both subjects and enjoy solving the mystery twice!
Are the grammar mysteries the same as the PHONICS mysteries?
Yes. Grammar and phonics mysteries share the same overall storyline and conclusion. What makes them different is the skill practice: phonics mysteries focus on phonics and decoding, while grammar mysteries focus on grammar and reading skills.
Is a digital version included?
Yes! The digital version is available in Google Slides and the link is included in the printable PDF. You can download the Google Slides to use in PowerPoint if needed as well.
Why do the main mystery and the extra mystery look the same?
The main mystery and the extra mystery feature the same clues but focus on different skills. This design ensures that students of varying abilities can work on different mysteries without realizing they are tackling different challenges.
What should students do if they finish early?
A fast finisher directed drawing activity (6 unique drawings to choose from) is included for students who finish early! There is also a certificate of completion for every student. You could also have students work on incomplete assignments or read a book.
Will my students need support?
Most 2nd and 3rd graders can complete the mysteries in centers, partners, small groups, whole group, or teams. For lower level students, these work great in small groups with the teacher table.
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Planning to use this resource with more than one teacher or classroom?
Many teachers work closely with grade-level teams or teaching partners, and it’s important that resources are shared in a way that respects the creator’s rights. Each teacher who wishes to use this resource must purchase their own license through their own account. If you’d like information about grade-level licensing, feel free to contact me directly at li***********************@***il.com for details on group pricing.
Thank you for respecting the work that goes into creating these materials!
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