Above are some of the downloadable components of Cracking the case of Click Clack Moo including (clockwise, top left to bottom) from the folder. 2 examples of media (Instagram and YouTube); a sample dossier of a witness (in this case a bunny) for detectives as well as well as a top secret identity card (for only the witness to see); the opening slide of the slideshow.

Check out all 4 game folders - Free to all educators

Kids can now enjoy learning how to understand the media that they consume

Media Detectives games, created by kids for kids, are student-led, inquiry-based, fun and very interactive – and can be completed in 2 classroom periods at most.

Each one is based on a beloved children’s book such as Click Clack Moo (featured here). The other 3 areThe Day the Crayons Quit, The 3 Little Pigs andElephant & Piggie.‍ Click this link to all 4 games to download the one(s) best for your students.

Please email DK@InquiringMindsInstitute.org if you wish to arrange a free consultation.

Main benefits:

  1. Builds awareness of bias and manipulation present in some media

  2. Enhances critical thinking – Engages students in analyzing sources, identifying biases, and constructing well-reasoned conclusions.

  3. Promotes civic awareness – Encourages students to recognize multiple perspectives and practice democratic discourse.

  4. Fosters collaboration – Builds a cooperative learning environment where students work together as investigators and sources.

  5. Supports standards-based learning – Aligns with inquiry-based learning frameworks to help teachers meet curriculum goals.

  6. Creates an engaging classroom – Uses role-play and interactive problem-solving to make learning dynamic and memorable.

Time: 45 min. Ideally, we should have forty five minutes to play out the game. The Inquiring Minds team views this as a good activity to work on after lunch (as an energizer for the afternoon’s curriculum). 

What’s needed: 

Provided by Inquiring Minds:

  • Teacher protocol

  • Slideshow to start off the game (includes a read aloud of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type)

  • Subfolder with PDFs of secret witness identity cards and dossiers, examples of media our team created including facts and eyewitness testimonies (may be printed out or viewed on tablets).

Provided by educator:

  • Detective Learning Wall - super easy to make

  • Pencils notepads and/or post its for detectives to write notes to add to their Learning Wall

    optional:

  • A copy of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is helpful for reference for clues.

  • Costumes are both helpful and fun.

Here’s a link to the video we made of kids playing this game.

Below are 2 of the 13 slide show that introduces the game. It includes a read aloud of the book Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type plus questions that are always good to consider. Also included is a primer on media literacy.

Below: the 1st page of the teacher protocol included in the folder.