WGU-- Belinda Howell

WGU Escape Room Prototype

Objective:

Working alone or in pairs, students will accurately identify the main idea and at least one supporting detail for each excerpt in a digital escape room game with at least 80% accuracy

Note: This Escape Game uses interactive features from Genially. If this is the first time you've ever completed a Genially Escape Game, click this blue box.

The case of the Great puppy hesit

start line

cross it if you dare

Transcript

start

The Case of the Great Puppy Heist

Introduction

Your best friend Jimmy has been wrongfully accused of stealing the Mayor's dog, Fluffybottom III! He needs your help proving his innocence and finding the real culprit. It's time to put on your detective hat and analyze the evidence to determine who the real dognapper is. Start by visiting Jimmy to get his side of the story!

Introduction

Map/missions

Detective Agency

Detective training

Watch a short video on how to identify the topic, main idea, and supporting details (3 minutes)

To understand the evidence, a good detective knows how to identify the main idea and supporting details. Click on the terms below to read more about them. You can also click on the image to the right to watch a short video, as well as click on the practice questions to check for understanding.

Topic

Practice Questions

Main Idea

Go back to Mystery Game

Supporting Details

Let's practice

Read the text to the left and look for the topic, the main idea, and supporting details. If you click the blue icon of the microphone, it will read the text. Clicking download the text will open up another window with the text. When you are ready to practice, click Practice Questions to check for understanding.

Practice Questions

Go back to Mystery Game

Download the text

Let's practice

Read the text to the left and look for the topic, the main idea, and supporting details. If you click the blue icon of the microphone, it will read the text. Clicking download the text will open up another window with the text. When you are ready to practice, click Practice Questions to check for understanding.

Practice Questions

Go back to Mystery Game

Download the text

Let's practice

Read the text to the left and look for the topic, the main idea, and supporting details. If you click the blue icon of the microphone, it will read the text. Clicking download the text will open up another window with the text. When you are ready to practice, click Practice Questions to check for understanding.

Practice Questions

Go back to Mystery Game

Download the text

Let's practice

Read the text to the left and look for the topic, the main idea, and supporting details. If you click the blue icon of the microphone, it will read the text. Clicking download the text will open up another window with the text. When you are ready to practice, click Practice Questions to check for understanding.

Practice Questions

Go back to Mystery Game

Download the text

How did you do?

Were you able to answer all the questions correctly? If so, click to go back to the mystery game and help free Jimmy. If you need to practice again, reread the text and choose Practice Questions again.

Practice Questions

Go back to Mystery Game

Download the text

The Case of the Great Puppy Heist

map/missions

Start

Introduction

Map/missions

Jail

City Hall

Mayor's House

Detective Agency

The Case of the Great Puppy Heist

map/missions

Start

Introduction

Map/missions

Jail

City Hall

Mayor's House

Detective Agency

Ace's House

A letter from Jimmy! Click to open it!

I can't believe the Mayor had me arrested for stealing his dog! He is CONVINCED I'm guilty and will only reconsider letting me out if you prove it. You will need to find and read clues to identify their main idea and supporting details to come up with evidence to help me. Please come visit me in the jail to get my statement. Click the arrow in the top left to go back to the main page. If you don't remember how to identify the main idea and/or supporting details, click the Detective Agency Help button on the main page. Otherwise, come see me at the jail! -- Jimmy

Oh dear...Hello there! I'm Mayor Kibbles. Do you have information about where my prized winning Pomeranian puppy is, Ms. Fluffybottom III? A student named Jimmy took her for some reason and won't return her! I need to find her! She is supposed to enter the Sunnyville Dog Talent Show coming up!

Give Jimmy's Letter

What's this? A letter from Jimmy? Why should I care??? I don't have time for this. Tell me quickly: what's the main point of his letter?

The main point is Jimmy was riding his bike

The main point is Jimmy likes to play Fortnite.

The main point is Jimmy didn't take Fluffybottom III

Jimmy's Letter

That is not the main point of this letter. I don't have time for games like this! If you aren't here to help me then just please go away.

My bad. Let me reread it and try again!

Jimmy's Letter

He isn't guilty?? What supporting evidence is there that he isn't the guilty one??

He won 2 crowns in Fortnite and ate M&M's

He was never near your house & he's allergic to dogs

He went to the movie theater to see Avengers

Jimmy's Letter

Hmmm...that's interesting...the problem is the Postal Carrier wrote a statement that proves Jimmy did it.

Read the Postal Carrier's Witness Statement

Argue Pete's statement doesn't prove Jimmy's guilt

Postal Carrier Pete's Witness Statement

What?? It doesn't?? What is his main point then??

That he saw Jimmy leaving the Mayor's house

He takes his job seriously and always delivers the mail

He saw Jimmy riding his bike quickly

Postal Carrier Pete's Witness Statement

Postal Carrier Pete's Witness Statement

That's not the main point! I am done with you wasting my time.....

Start Over

Postal Carrier Pete's Witness Statement

Postal Carrier Pete's Witness Statement

He doesn't say he saw Jimmy leave my house??

He does say he saw him leave your house, yes

He says he saw Jimmy playing with Fluffybottom

No, he just saw a kid riding his bike down your street

Postal Carrier Pete's Witness Statement

Postal Carrier Pete's Witness Statement

I must have misread it. Thank you for pointing that out. I'm still not fully convinced Jimmy is innocent but I'm open to the idea that someone else is involved. Ok I'll tell you what... why don't you go look around in my house to see if you can find any leads. I'll meet you there later. There's a code you need to enter to open up: 8675309

Ok I will go to your house with the code 8675309

Postal Carrier Pete's Witness Statement

Postal Carrier Pete's Witness Statement

Password?

What is the door code?

7 digit number you get from Mayor

What is the door code?

7 digit number you get from Mayor

Visit Sunnyville!

This page is password protected (CAPS ONLY)

The name of the town (IN ALL CAPS)

Enter the password to log in

The name of the town (IN ALL CAPS)

I see you hacked into my computer...no matter... were you able to find any clues??

Not yet, let me go back to the computer again...

Yes, I just read a suspicious email from Prudence Highmore and watched your camera footage that shows the suspect!

Visit Sunnyville!

An email from Prudence? Let me see. Was she involved?? What was the main point of her email??

A. She wanted to congratulate you and Fluffybottom III for all your Dog Show victories. She is impressed with your dog's talent.

B. She wanted to invite you and Fluffybottom III to train at a gifted school for dogs in France.

C. She expressed her confidence that her dog will win the upcoming dog show

Click for a copy of Prudence's email

So she thinks she can beat us...but do you think she took Fluffybottom III? Find a supporting detail that lets us know whether she is responsible....

A. She said she vowed that Fluffybottom would never win again. That sounds like would do anything to win -- even dognapping. We should investigate her.

B. She said she wants to see Fluffybottom dethroned to see your face when she loses. It sounds like she wants you both there, so she has no reason to dognap Fluffybottom.

Click for a copy of Prudence's email

You're right. She NEEDS us both there, so she's probably not involved. What did the camera show? Did you see a tall woman?

A. No, it was a man with a biker jacket and a mask who can be seen leaving your house.

B. Yes, it was a tall woman. It probably was Prudence...maybe she really was involved.

That looks like Ace Mulligan, our former prison guard, but I'm not sure because of the mask. Go to his house and look around for evidence. Maybe you can find a clue to show whether he's guilty or not... His house isn't listed on most maps, so let me circle where you can find it on your map...

Ok, I will go find Ace's house....

That is not correct. I was hoping we had found a clue but I don't think you're taking this seriously.

Start Over

Visit Sunnyville!

Who are you? Why are you here?

I was sent to retrieve paperwork (LIE)

I'm an abolitionist

I'm a Union spy looking for intel

Find the key to enter Ace's House...move the spotlight around until you find it...

Ace's Home

V+I+III

Search for clues with the spotlight

4 Touch the correct keys

1I

III

IV

V/

Something is wrong ...

1I

III

IV

V/

...Keep playing

1I

III

IV

V/

...One more

1I

III

IV

V/

For Sale $500

Prize-winning Pomeranian Discretion Required Look for ACE at the Sunnyville park....

This page is password protected

Enter the password

Prudence? How can it be Prudence!! You already ruled her out! She has no reason to steal Fluffybottom III. Without her in the upcoming Sunnyville Dog Talent Show, she won't be able to dethrone our championship. Maybe I should throw you in this cell for not taking this seriously.

Start Over

Jimmy? Jimmy gave you the code? So then... you let out someone was guilty? Guards! Arrest this fool for letting out a criminal!!

Start Over

Ace?? That makes sense, he used to work for the jail at one point. Why do you think he's guilty?? What did you find?

Explain evidence

That doesn't seem correct. I don't have time for this anymore. I'm just going to go home and cry because I'll never be reunited with my dog.

Start Over

Interesting inference. What's a supporting detail from that document that supports your conclusion?

Point out details

That makes sense! That's a good argument that shows he is involved. I will send an officer to find Ace. In the meantime, I need one last task from you my young Detective friend: please create a final report on this case explaining how you came to this conclusion.

Final Report

The Newspaper Articles

The case of the Great puppy heist

#5

#3

The emails

#1

Jimmy's Statement

#4

#6

The CrownJewels

The Postal Carrier's Witness Statement

The Camera Footage

#2

Click on the previous witness statements to review all the evidence for your final report. When you are ready, click Final Report

Final Report

case solved

Extra Extra!

Sunnyville, Monday, December 3, 2025

75 centss

vol. cxviii

case solved

Falsely accused middle school student Jimmy Lee back home

Jimmy Lee, previously accused of stealing Mayor Kibbles' prized puppy', was released from his holding cell yesterday after fellow students identified key evidence that was able to exonerate Jimmy. It turns out Jimmy only rode his bike down the street to a friend's house and never got near Mr. Kibbles' house, he had an alibi, and he was even allergic to dogs. Postal Carrier Bill, whose statement originally pointed the blame at Jimmy, replied "my bad" rather lacklusterly.

Ace's Dognapping Plan Foiled

Ace Mulligan was arrested yesterday after revealing evidence found that he had stolen Fluffybottom III and planned to sell her to an unknown person in the park. Further evidence indicated this was not the first dog stolen and resold for profit.

Sunnyville Dog Show Next Week

Sunnyville will be holding its annual Dog Talent Show next week. Will anyone be able to topple the reigning champion, Fluffybottom III? Prudence Highmore believes her dog will prove victorious! Only time will tell...

Summary of Learning

There's just a typewriter...

From: Ace Mulligan To: Interested Party Listen, I got what you need. A real champion. Pedigree Pomeranian, answers to "Fluffybottom III" (yeah, I know, ridiculous name, but the papers are legit). This ain't no ordinary fluffball. We're talkin' prize-winning bloodline, blue ribbons galore. Obedience champ, best in show – you name it, this pup's done it. Now, I ain't gonna lie, this kinda pedigree comes with a price tag. Minimum $500. But think of it as an investment. But think of it as an investment. You could breed this dog, sell the pups for a small fortune. I've been in this business a while, know how to handle these high-end pups. Discretion assured. Cash only, meet at the usual spot in the park at midnight. Don't waste my time with lowball offers and don’t get caught or seen. This dog's a goldmine, and I know what I got.

Take the letter

From: Ace Mulligan To: Interested Party Listen, I got what you need. A real champion. Pedigree Pomeranian, answers to "Fluffybottom III" (yeah, I know, ridiculous name, but the papers are legit). This ain't no ordinary fluffball. We're talkin' prize-winning bloodline, blue ribbons galore. Obedience champ, best in show – you name it, this pup's done it. Now, I ain't gonna lie, this kinda pedigree comes with a price tag. Minimum $500. But think of it as an investment. But think of it as an investment. You could breed this dog, sell the pups for a small fortune. I've been in this business a while, know how to handle these high-end pups. Discretion assured. Cash only, meet at the usual spot in the park at midnight. Don't waste my time with lowball offers and don’t get caught or seen. This dog's a goldmine, and I know what I got.

Take the letter

Click to use the typewriter

The lights went out! Use the spotlight!

My name is Ace. What are you doing in my house????

A. I'm a part of the Geek Squad and I was sent here to make sure your typewriter was typing properly. I received a report that it might be malfunctioning.

B. The Mayor sent me! I know you dognapped the Mayor's dog! I'm going to go tell Mayor Kibbles right now!!

What proof do you have?? You have NOTHING.

A. It says here you plan on keeping the dog so that you can enter the Sunnyville Dog Show. Where is the dog??

B. I have your advertisement and this letter where you're trying to sell her to someone in the park. There's no denying it for you...

OK you caught me, but I just needed some extra cash. After I lost my job at the jail, I was close to losing my house. Here, let me give you the code to get Jimmy out at least. The code to unlock Jimmy from the jail is: 1019

I can remember the code 1019. Now I'll go back to the jail to free Jimmy!

What proof do you have?? You have nothing!1

Battle of Gettysburg

The Tariff of Abomination

Lincoln winning the election

Why happened to our former governor, Sam Houston?

He was removed from office after refusing to swear an oath to the Confederacy

He is our current governor and we love him

He was killed at the Battle of Galveston

Ok, I believe you. The documents you want, however, are in the in the possession of Lt. Dowling. The password to speak to him is: SABINEPASS

The second number is: 3

Wrong Answer friend.....ha ha ha ha....

You were caught

Start Over

Choose the shape

Option 03

Option 04

Option 02

Option 05

Option 01

Option 06

Choose the shape

Option 03

Option 04

Option 02

Option 05

Option 01

Option 06

Right

The second number is: 3

start over?

INCORRECT

What is the password to speak to Lawrence Ross?

Complete mission 2 for answer!

Answer well

Why did tariffs anger the south so much?

Second question:

A Tariffs restricted slavery in lands acquired from the Mexican War.

B It made goods cheaper to buy from foreign countries

C Tariffs effectively raised the cost of living in the south while the northern industrialists made money

Answer well

There were multiple reasons that caused our secession, such as debates over slavery and those tariffs. What was another divisive issue?

Last question:

A Manifest Destiny

B The legality of conscription

C States' Rights

Right

You passed. Here's a briefcase with the information you need. It has a lock on it. I don't remember the first two numbers, but the third number is: 0

start over?

You are a spy...

Password?

What is the key?

Complete the missions for the code

MISSION COMPLETE!

Congratulations! You acquired some helpful intel on the Confederacy that will surely help us quickly end this bloody war. To get credit, click here and fill out the Google Form

Summary of Learning

Objective:

Students, working alone or in pairs, accurately identified the main idea and at least one supporting detail for each excerpt in a digital escape room game

Note: The questions and answers are placeholders that can be replaced once I work with the content expert.

#5

The football game

You have been chosen to do the coin toss. Unbelievable! Toss the coin!

Wow, that was great! Hey, what's that shiny thing in the corner over there?

What is the MAIN IDEA?

This is the most important point the author wants you to understand about the topic. It's like the heart of the message.Sometimes the main idea is stated directly in a sentence, and sometimes you have to figure it out by looking at all the details and seeing what they add up to. Example: In the butterfly text, the main idea might be that butterflies go through a fascinating transformation process with distinct stages.

Jimmy's Official Statement

"The Mayor was so convinced I stole his dog that he didn't even ask me to write down my witness statement for the day. Please take this written statement and take it to the Mayor. Help him understand I had nothing to do with this!! I think he's at Town Hall.

Open up a copy of Jimmy's statement

Download a copy of Postman Pete's Statement

Convince the Mayor of Ace's Guilt with the document you found!

What is the main point of this letter?

A. That selling Pomeranians is a lucrative business!

B. Ace likes to meet people in the park at night

C. Ace is selling a prize-winning Pomeranian for a high price

D. A prize-winning Pomeranian can make you money if you breed it or enter it into dog talent shows.

Open a copy of Ace's Letter by clicking here.

Clicking opened up this box

By clicking that box, it opened up this text box. This is where you might have a reading passage to analyze or other options. To close this box and go back to the earlier screen, click the X on the right-hand side. To navigate around the Escape Game, there will be visible buttons such as the arrow on the right. For instance, most pages will have an arrow pointing to the left to take you back to the main page. You will also see buttons like the blue box in the bottom right, or even text. Some clickable text will let you open up a Google Doc or website if you want to use accessibility tools such as Snap and Read or Immersive Reader in Microsoft Word. Move your cursor over the four objects to the right to get an example of what they can do, as well as the character below. When you are ready to move on, click the X button in the top right.

Buttons

How did you get the code to let him out? I'm assuming whoever gave you the code to let Jimmy out is the responsible party. Was it Prudence? Or Ace? Or did Jimmy tell you the code? I just want my Fluffbottom III returned to me.

Jimmy gave me the code and I let him out, even though he was actually guilty

I got the code from Ace. He is the real culprit. I found all the evidence at his house!!

It was really Prudence. She has your dog right now!

How did you get the code to let him out? I'm assuming whoever gave you the code to let Jimmy out is the responsible party. Was it Prudence? Or Ace? Or did Jimmy tell you the code? I just want my Fluffbottom III returned to me.

Jimmy gave me the code and I let him out, even though he was actually guilty

I got the code from Ace. He is the real culprit. I found all the evidence at his house!!

It was really Prudence. She has your dog right now!

How did you get the code to let him out? I'm assuming whoever gave you the code to let Jimmy out is the responsible party. Was it Prudence? Or Ace? Or did Jimmy tell you the code? I just want my Fluffbottom III returned to me.

Jimmy gave me the code and I let him out, even though he was actually guilty

I got the code from Ace. He is the real culprit. I found all the evidence at his house!!

It was really Prudence. She has your dog right now!

What is the MAIN IDEA?

This is the most important point the author wants you to understand about the topic. It's like the heart of the message.Sometimes the main idea is stated directly in a sentence, and sometimes you have to figure it out by looking at all the details and seeing what they add up to. Example: In the butterfly text, the main idea might be that butterflies go through a fascinating transformation process with distinct stages.

Prudence?? Is she involved?? What was the main point of her email?

A. She wanted to congratulate you and Fluffybottom III for winning the last four years at the Sunnyville Dog Show

B. She is inviting you to a dog training class in France

C. She is expressing her confidence that her dog will win the Sunnyville Dog Show this year.

Jimmy's Official Statement

Open up a copy of Jimmy's statement

Download a copy of Postman Pete's Statement

Download a copy of Postman Pete's Statement

Convince the Mayor of Ace's Guilt with the document you found!

Which sentences are supporting details of that main point?

A. "You can breed this dog, sell the pups for a small fortune" and "think of it as an investment"

B. "Pedigree Pomeranian, answers to Fluffybottom III" and "This kinda pedigree comes with a price tag. Minimum $500"

C. "We're talkin' prize-winning bloodline, blue ribbons galore." and "I've been in this business a while, know how to handle these high-end pups."

D. "Ridiculous name, but the papers are legit" and "Either way, you're lookin' at a hefty return"

Open a copy of Ace's Letter by clicking here.

Remember: you can turn on captions or download the transcript here.

Download a copy of Postman Pete's Statement

What is a TOPIC?

Think of this as the general subject or theme. It's the overall idea that the writing is about. Often, you can figure out the topic by looking at the title or the first sentence. Example: If you see a text titled "The Life Cycle of a Butterfly," the topic is probably about butterflies and how they grow and change.

How did you get the code to let him out? I'm assuming whoever gave you the code to let Jimmy out is the responsible party. Was it Prudence? Or Ace? Or did Jimmy tell you the code? I just want my Fluffbottom III returned to me.

Jimmy gave me the code and I let him out, even though he was actually guilty

I got the code from Ace. He is the real culprit. I found all the evidence at his house!!

It was really Prudence. She has your dog right now!

Download a copy of Postman Pete's Statement

How did you get the code to let him out? I'm assuming whoever gave you the code to let Jimmy out is the responsible party. Was it Prudence? Or Ace? Or did Jimmy tell you the code? I just want my Fluffbottom III returned to me.

Jimmy gave me the code and I let him out, even though he was actually guilty

I got the code from Ace. He is the real culprit. I found all the evidence at his house!!

It was really Prudence. She has your dog right now!

How did you get the code to let him out? I'm assuming whoever gave you the code to let Jimmy out is the responsible party. Was it Prudence? Or Ace? Or did Jimmy tell you the code? I just want my Fluffbottom III returned to me.

Jimmy gave me the code and I let him out, even though he was actually guilty

I got the code from Ace. He is the real culprit. I found all the evidence at his house!!

It was really Prudence. She has your dog right now!

Jimmy's Official Statement

Open up a copy of Jimmy's statement

An email from Prudence Hightower. Could she be involved with the disappearance of Fluffybottom III? You better speak to the Mayor about this email!

Click to download a copy of Prudence's Email

Thank you for letting me out!!!

I knew I could count on you!! I'm going back home now to play some more Fortnite before any more trouble happens. Make sure to give the Mayor all the evidence so that it doesn't look like you just busted me out of jail!! Thanks again!!! Byeeeeeee!!!!

Download a copy of Postman Pete's Statement

Prudence?? Is she involved?? What was the main point of her email?

A. She wanted to congratulate you and Fluffybottom III for winning the last four years at the Sunnyville Dog Show

B. She is inviting you to a dog training class in France

C. She is expressing her confidence that her dog will win the Sunnyville Dog Show this year.

Jimmy's Official Statement

Open up a copy of Jimmy's statement