It was not quite crime scene investigation, but it was a “whodunit.”

A very creative way to illustrate the rigor of Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards was on display March 24 at Sequoia School as students led their families through the Sequoia Samurai Crime Scene Investigation Open House. The event seamlessly integrated all subject matter, including the use of technology, collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking.

Here are the facts…

On the morning of March 24, Sparticus, Sequoia’s therapy dog, was “puppy-napped.” That evening, students led their families through different classrooms analyzing clues found at the scene. For example, one of the rooms had fingerprint analysis; another required analysis of a shoeprint; another had a hair that had to be viewed through a microscope.

Each family had to determine, working together and based on the evidence, “whodunit.”

“The families were 100 percent engaged because the parents were participating with the kids,” said Brandi Davis, principal of Sequoia School. “It was great to see. It really is what common core is intended to be… utilizing different disciplines to arrive at a solution.”

Even though Sparticus is safely back where he belongs, the culprit has yet to be officially identified. Despite that, one thing is certain: 69 percent of the school’s families participated in the open house. And 100 percent of them had a great time.