Hey, Deacon Detectives!

Are you ready to dive into a world of mystery and adventure?

Join us as we read the thrilling story of City Spies by James Ponti, where you will explore the world of spies uncovering their secret mission. Get ready for action, friendship, and plenty of surprises!

Detectives, each week your class will receive a new mission to uncover the secrets of a city in North Carolina! Your task is to piece together the clues to discover which city the Deacon is exploring.

Are you ready to spy? Get started on your next mission today!

City Spies of the Week

Congratulations to Ms. Bermudez’s 4th grade class at Speas Elementary School for being our City Spies of the Week for Mission 4!

Deacon Detectives Response Form

If you have identified the correct city, we invite you to complete this Deacon Detectives Response Form by the following Tuesday. Each form includes a section for you to add additional clues about this week’s city. The more clues you discover on your own, the more likely you are to be recognized as our spy of the week!



Deacon Detectives was created to support learning based on the following North Carolina 4th Grade Social Studies Standards.

  • I.1.8 Accurately use information from sources when making claims.
  • I.1.9 Make inferences from information in sources.
  • 4.B.1.1 Explain how traditions, social structure, and artistic expression have contributed to the unique identity of North Carolina.
  • 4.G.1.1 Compare the development of various geographic regions in North Carolina using geographic tools and representations.
  • 4.H.1.6 Explain the significance of historical symbols in North Carolina from various perspectives.

This project is led by the 2024/2025 Skip Prosser Literacy Program Interns and Dr. Alan Brown, Chair of the Department of Education and Director of the Center for Literacy Education at Wake Forest University.

For more information, please email Dr. Alan Brown.