Hendrick Hudson’s 1st Graders Become Word Detectives

MONTROSE, NY — First graders in Marilyne Strang’s class at Frank G. Lindsey Elementary School in the Hendrick Hudson School District have become “word detectives,” ready to solve any challenge they may encounter while reading.

The "job description" includes knowing how to spot sneaky words, like "in" hiding inside the word "winter."

Strang said that a word detective investigates new and challenging words by applying certain strategies.

"Those strategies may include breaking long words into smaller parts, using meaning to solve tricky words or double-checking to see if a word makes sense, sounds right and looks right," she said.

What made the lessons turn into a unique opportunity was having a real-life detective helping them learn, Strang said.

Class parent William Mauro, a detective in Westchester County’s General Investigations Unit, joined in on the learning.

In his new role as head officer within the Word Detective Unit, Mauro recruited the class to be part of his investigative squad, and the students had to complete daily missions and take part in weekly boot camp activities.

One mission had students going on a scavenger hunt to find "silent e" words in the classroom, record the words on a worksheet and practice reading and spelling them.

During another mission, students used magnifying glasses to look in their books for trick words — words that don’t follow typical spelling patterns — and then use them in a sentence.

Once they had completed enough missions and made it through boot camp, the students were ready to receive their official Word Detective badges. Mauro joined the class virtually to "swear in" the students and present them with their well-deserved badges.

Strang said it was a pleasure collaborating with Mauro, who helped make the experience so engaging for the students.

“The level of enthusiasm was incredible, from the beginning to the end of the unit, as students transferred their skills into reading and solving mysteries in their books,” she said.