Starting a new school year is awkward AF. You’ve got a classroom full of students who don’t know each other (or you), and the pressure’s on to make those first days not just bearable but actually engaging. So, how do you get everyone talking, thinking, and—dare I say—having fun from day one? Two words: murder mystery.

First things first, though. I flipping HATE most “icebreaker” activities. In fact, I have banned the student council (which Claire and I sponsor) from EVER beginning an event with an icebreaker. Here’s why:

1. Most of the time, they’re BS activities someone slapped together in about five minutes.
2. They aren’t fun.
3. They’re usually poorly executed.
4. They don’t really let you get to know other people in any sort of meaningful way.

Hook, Line, and Sinker

Imagine this: your students walk into class on the first day, expecting the usual “here’s the syllabus” snoozefest, but instead, you hit them with a murder mystery game. Suddenly, they’re hooked. They’re leaning in, asking questions, and—this is the best part—they’re talking to each other. That shy kid in the back? Now they’re the go-to detective in their group, piecing together clues and leading the charge. It’s like watching a community form right before your eyes.

For our class, Claire and I pulled out all the stops and wrote our very own murder mystery set at our high school, starring our staff. This absolutely made the game more special for our juniors and seniors, but it was a LOT of work. Call it a labor of love. However, I think you can get similar engagement with any boxed murder mystery game on Amazon.

Critical Thinking Without the Eye Rolls

ELA teachers, we know the struggle—getting students to engage with critical thinking can be like pulling teeth. But here’s the beauty of a murder mystery game: they don’t even realize they’re doing it. As they sift through clues and weed out red herrings, they’re analyzing, synthesizing, and making inferences. It’s the kind of deep thinking we dream of, and it’s happening naturally because they’re having fun. You’re setting the stage for the kind of analytical work they’ll be doing all year, without the usual resistance.

Literary Elements Served Up with a Side of Drama

Here’s where it gets really good: while your students are busy solving the mystery, they’re also getting a crash course in literary elements. Plot twists, character motives, setting details—it’s all there, wrapped up in the game. And because they’re experiencing it rather than just reading about it, these concepts stick. When it comes time to dive into your first novel or short story, they’ll have a solid foundation to build on, all thanks to that game they didn’t even realize was educational.

Confidence Boosters, Unite!

The first days of school can be nerve-wracking, especially for students who aren’t naturally confident in their ELA skills. But here’s the thing: a murder mystery game doesn’t require anyone to be an expert. It’s all about participation, creativity, and teamwork. This means that even the students who usually hang back are more likely to jump in and contribute. You’re giving everyone a chance to shine, and that confidence boost can make all the difference as you head into the rest of the year.

Meaningful Information for the Teacher

Watching the way someone approaches a murder mystery gives me a LOT of information about my students, and they don’t even know I’m psychologically profiling them like I’m on an episode of Criminal Minds. Talk about a massive jumpstart on getting to know someone. Here are some things I can learn about my new students by watching them play:

1. Does the student have the executive functioning skills to plan an approach to problems that is systematic and logical, or do they approach things haphazardly?
2. Is the student a good communicator, or do they struggle to express themselves?
3. When the student becomes frustrated, what is their reaction?
4. Is the student more of a leader or a follower?
5. Can the student collaborate with others, or is it their way or the highway?
6. Does the student get bored easily?
7. Does the student give up when they hit a roadblock, or do they push through it?
8. How does the student manage conflict?
9. Does the student have good close-reading skills? Can they make an inference?

Setting the Tone for a Killer Year (Pun Absolutely Intended)

Let’s be real—how you start the year can make or break your classroom vibe. By kicking things off with a murder mystery game, you’re telling your students that this class is going to be different. It’s going to be engaging, dynamic, and, yes, maybe even a little mysterious. You’re showing them that learning doesn’t have to be boring and that their ideas matter. And honestly, who doesn’t want to be the teacher who makes students excited to come to class?

So go ahead—ditch the syllabus read-through and dive into a murder mystery game instead. Your students will thank you, and you’ll be setting yourself up for a year of engaged, excited learners.

Tags: High school ELA class, first day of school activities, engaging classroom activities, icebreaker activities for students, collaborative learning, critical thinking games, murder mystery game for students, literary elements in games, building classroom community, interactive learning, ELA curriculum ideas, fun ELA activities, educational games for high school, classroom confidence boosters, creative teaching strategies, engaging lesson plans, teamwork in education, student participation activities, first day of school ideas, dynamic learning environments