One of us is Lying

Reading and Writing Workshop:  One of Us Is Lying is a gripping young adult mystery that unfolds during a high school detention where five students become suspects in the murder of a classmate.

Core Focus: Reading like a detective + writing with evidence
Essential Questions

• How does point of view shape truth?
• Can reputation be trusted?
• What responsibility do individuals have in a community?
• How do bias and assumptions influence judgment?

Skills Alignment (ELA)

• RL: Theme, characterization, POV, plot, inference
• RI: Evaluating claims, credibility, bias
• W: Argument, narrative, evidence-based writing
• SL: Discussion, debate, collaborative speaking
• L: Academic & context-based vocabulary

Workshop Structure
Session 1: The Crime & The Question
Focus: Hook, prediction, inquiry
Activities

• Cold Read: Opening chapter
• Gallery Walk: Crime scene questions (Who? Why? How?)
• Group Roles Assigned
  • Investigator (plot & clues)
  • Psychologist (character motives)
  • Journalist (media & rumor)
  • Attorney (evidence & argument)

Writing Task

• Quick Write: Who do you suspect—and why?
  (Claim + one early piece of evidence)

Session 2: Point of View & Reliability
Focus: Multiple narrators
Activities

• POV comparison chart (Bronwyn, Nate, Addy, Cooper)
• Mini-lesson: Reliable vs. unreliable narrator
• Group Close Read: One key scene, four perspectives

Writing Task

• Analytical Paragraph:
  Which narrator is most trustworthy? Defend with textual evidence.

Session 3: Character, Stereotypes & Identity
Focus: Growth and social labels
Activities

• “Label vs. Reality” T-chart
• Character arc mapping
• Small-group discussion: How do labels harm or protect people?

Writing Task

• Narrative Rewrite:
  Rewrite a scene from the POV of a character not narrating.

Session 4: Clues, Red Herrings & Structure
Focus: Plot mechanics of mystery
Activities

• Timeline of clues
• Red herring analysis
• Group Detective Board: Track evidence visually

Writing Task

• CER Response:
  Which clue is most important so far?

Session 5: Media, Gossip & Misinformation
Focus: Digital literacy & ethics
Activities

• Analyze Simon Says posts
• Discuss rumor vs. fact
• Compare fictional gossip culture to real social media

Writing Task

• Argument Writing:
  Is Simon a victim, villain, or both?

Session 6: Justice on Trial (Mock Trial / Debate)
Focus: Argument & speaking
Activities (choose one)

• Mock Trial: Prosecution vs. Defense
• Formal Debate: Was Simon’s death inevitable?

Writing Task

• Opening statement or rebuttal using evidence

Session 7: Theme & Meaning
Focus: Big ideas
Activities

• Theme stations (Truth, Loyalty, Justice, Identity)
• Textual evidence sorting
• Socratic Seminar

Writing Task

• Theme Essay (1–2 pages):
  What does the novel say about truth in a digital world?

Session 8: Culminating Exhibition
Focus: Synthesis & presentation
Choice-Based Final Products

• Podcast episode: True Crime Breakdown
• Investigative report
• Character confession monologue
• Visual evidence board + written analysis
• Literary essay

Portfolio Components

• Reading journal entries
• Vocabulary-in-context log
• One analytical paragraph
• One narrative piece
• One argumentative essay
• Reflection: How did your thinking change?

Assessment (Standards-Based)

• Reading Analysis (Evidence & Reasoning)
• Writing (Claim, Structure, Language)
• Speaking & Collaboration
• Reflection & Metacognition

Differentiation & Supports

• Sentence frames & graphic organizers
• Audio chapters
• Flexible grouping
• Choice-based assessments
• ELL vocabulary scaffolds