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Christmas Math Mystery - 3rd Grade Christmas Activity - Selfish Elf Math Game

Rated 4.87 out of 5, based on 2087 reviews
4.9 (2.1k ratings)
;
Mrs J's Resource Creations
30.8k Followers
Grade Levels
2nd - 4th
Subjects
Resource Type
Standards
CCSS3.NBT.A.2
CCSS3.OA.B.6
CCSS3.OA.C.7
Formats Included
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  • Google Appsâ„¢
Pages
16 pages
$3.60
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Mrs J's Resource Creations
30.8k Followers
Includes Google Appsâ„¢
The Teacher-Author indicated this resource includes assets from Google Workspace (e.g. docs, slides, etc.).

What educators are saying

My students love math mysteries! This was a fun activity to use before we left for winter break. Students were working on skills that we have been working on, so it was fun but aligned with curriculum.
— Ashley E.
Rated 5 out of 5
My students love these mysteries! We have been doing them all year- I have so many of these. It is an engaging way to practice and review the skills taught before assessing. Thank you.
— Catherine R.
Rated 5 out of 5
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Description

Standards

3

Reviews

2.1k

Q&A

9
More fromMrs J's Resource Creations

Description

Engage your students with a Christmas Math Mystery, the 'Case of the Selfish Elf' (3rd Grade Edition). This activity will add an exciting twist to your math sessions. Easy prep! Just Print & Solve! Or go paperless with the new Google Slides option provided within your download.

Distance Learning Update: I've added a Word Document within the folder that contains a Google Slides link to share this resource with your students via Google Classroom or Drive. Parts of the pages are editable so that your students can complete without having to print the pages. Please note, you will need to make a copy of the Google Slides to your drive before you can edit.

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There is an optional Video Hook available to introduce this activity to your students in a fun way

>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW BONUS VIDEO HOOK <<

Includes a Bonus ending video clip to wrap up the case after solving the mystery!

Students must use their math skills to eliminate suspects so they can find out who is the Selfish Elf?

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Preparation

- No Prep required! Print the student pages, staple or place

in a folder, and your students are set to go.

- Have the video hook ready for viewing at the start of the

lesson on an IWB, iPad or computer monitor screen.

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Math Skills Required to Unlock Clues

There are five clues to crack to solve the mystery:

Clue 1: Multiplying by 6s and 9s

Clue 2: Addition with 2-digit and 3-digit numbers (with regrouping)

Clue 3: Multiplying by 11s and 12s

Clue 4: Division relative to Multiplication

Clue 5: Subtraction with 2-digit numbers (with regrouping)

Students must use critical thinking skills to figure out what the clue is telling them to eliminate from the list of elf suspects.

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Multiple Uses

- Suitable for independent, pairs, or group work.

- Use as part of your math centers, add to your sub tubs, make it part of your early finisher tasks, give for homework, or make it part of your classroom practice/review sessions.

I recommend pacing this activity by giving students one clue at a time. Once the whole class has completed a clue, then move on to the next clue either within the same lesson or the next math session. New math content presented? Make a lesson out of it by modeling the math before diving into the clue. I like to say, "we must learn something new before attempting the next clue."

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How long will this activity take?

Time to complete will vary anywhere between 30mins - 2 hours or more! It mainly depends on how familiar your students are with the math mystery format, as well as how difficult they find math skills covered in the particular mystery. Please check the math skills outlined in the clues above to help determine suitability for your class.

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Want different math skills?

The Case of the Selfish Elf is available in the other Grade editions listed below. Click to check out the math skills covered in each packet.

Christmas Math Mystery: Case of The Selfish Elf (GRADE 1)

Christmas Math Mystery: Case of The Selfish Elf (GRADE 2)

Christmas Math Mystery: Case of The Selfish Elf (GRADE 3)

Christmas Math Mystery: Case of The Selfish Elf (GRADE 4)

Christmas Math Mystery: Case of The Selfish Elf (GRADE 5)

Christmas Math Mystery: Case of The Selfish Elf (GRADE 6)

Differentiation and Important Note about the other Grade Editions when the Mystery is the SAME Story Title:

The clues are the same in the other grades if the mystery story is the same. The math is what is different between the grade packs. I designed the mysteries this way to enable differentiating the task within your classroom (without your kids knowing that they might have an easier or harder version than their peers.) You can also 'clue swap' across grades (except for the Kindergarten & 1st grade version) as long as the clue number is the same if you find that you'd prefer the math skill for a particular clue from a different grade edition. For example, swap clue 3 from the 4th grade edition with clue 3 in the 5th grade edition and it will still work the same (just the math will be different). I've added an alternative suspect list to the pack to change the mystery outcome, including two pre-made lists for you to swap out if you want a different mystery solution.

There are many different mystery titles in my store available if you'd like more Math Mysteries with different clues and solutions.

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Add extra motivation with this Detective Rank Chart Download the Mystery Record & Rank Chart FREEBIE HERE

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You may also be interested in:

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Bundle and Save!

COMPLETE Math Mystery Bundle for GRADE 3

HOLIDAY Math Mysteries Bundle Pack GRADE 3

SKILLS Math Mystery Bundle (3rd Grade)

SEASONS Math Mystery Bundle Pack (GRADE 3)

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Not sure what a math mystery is? CLICK HERE to watch a video about Math Mysteries

TRY A FULL FREE MATH MYSTERY HERE (GRADES 1 - 6 DIFFERENTIATED BUNDLE)


Browse the 3rd Grade Range:

>>Download the FREE 3rd Grade Checklist here:<<

>> CLICK HERE to follow my store <<

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For more ideas, activities, and resources, follow my store (by clicking the little green star) to stay updated on new releases. We can also stay connected via:

Blog

Pinterest

Facebook

__________________________________________________________________

>> CLICK HERE to follow my store <<

__________________________________________________________________

Thank you!

Mrs. J.

© 2015

Total Pages
16 pages
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
N/A
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Standards

Log in
to see state-specific standards (only available in the US).
CCSS3.NBT.A.2
Fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction.
CCSS3.OA.B.6
Understand division as an unknown-factor problem. For example, find 32 ÷ 8 by finding the number that makes 32 when multiplied by 8.
CCSS3.OA.C.7
Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division (e.g., knowing that 8 × 5 = 40, one knows 40 ÷ 5 = 8) or properties of operations. By the end of Grade 3, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers.

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