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StorytellingHistory

True-Crime Ethics Studio

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Grades 9-122-3 hoursSource: Creative Dad Company

Students produce a true-crime style podcast episode about a resolved case, working through how to handle real uncertainty and human tragedy without slipping into sensationalism. It's a thoughtful way to practice storytelling craft alongside media ethics.

The newer career collection is Creative Dad On the Job. This lesson stays in the library.

Budget levels

Materials list coming soon to members

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Quick Start

Digital downloads only. $0 to buy. Printing is noted separately.

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one class period, one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one class period on a single day.

Scale back: Fit it into a shorter period, use fewer effects, or run a demo instead of a build.

Scale up: Add one extra effect, or spread the share-out across another day.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Full Experience

Up to $25 per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one school day.

Scale back: Fit the build into one period with fewer effects.

Scale up: Spread the work across days, or add more effects.

Total Transformation

The bigger kit, priced per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day (one session, one-day event).

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one session, a one-day event.

Scale back: Shorten the event, or run a demo for a smaller audience.

Scale up: Spread the build and the event across days, or invite a bigger audience.

Choose your version

Every level teaches the same core idea — pick the one that fits your time, budget, and energy today.

Student time: 30 min, one class periodTeacher prep / build-ahead: 10 min$0 to buy. Printing noted separately.One table for the True-Crime Ethics Studio evidence and prototypeBeginner-friendly

Setup

Print or handwrite the four True-Crime Ethics Studio challenge steps and place common paper supplies on one table. Prepare one small sample, dataset, scenario, or recycled-material model drawn directly from the project description; no device, paid tool, room decoration, or purchased kit is required.

Activity

  1. Read the True-Crime Ethics Studio challenge aloud, then research a resolved historical case using only public records and predict which details are important to the facts versus just sensational.
  2. Use paper, index cards, recycled objects, or facilitator-provided sample data to draft a script that presents the case clearly, flagging every place where the evidence is genuinely uncertain.
  3. Run one tabletop trial and read the draft aloud and discover a section that sounds exploitative or unfair to real people involved, then rewrite it with more care.
  4. Finish by record and share the final episode, including a short statement on the ethical choices the team made and why; record the evidence that supports the decision.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Done when: The group completes a defensible True-Crime Ethics Studio solution, records at least one test result or comparison, changes one claim or design in response, and supports its final decision with that evidence.

Materials

USB microphone, reporter notebook, index cards, headphones

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change.

As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Steps

  1. Research a resolved historical case using only public records and predict which details are important to the facts versus just sensational.
  2. Draft a script that presents the case clearly, flagging every place where the evidence is genuinely uncertain.
  3. Read the draft aloud and discover a section that sounds exploitative or unfair to real people involved, then rewrite it with more care.
  4. Record and share the final episode, including a short statement on the ethical choices the team made and why.