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Back to School Math Mystery Activity - 5th Grade Beginning of the Year Game
Back to School Math Mystery Activity - 5th Grade Beginning of the Year Game
Back to School Math Mystery Activity - 5th Grade Beginning of the Year Game
Back to School Math Mystery Activity - 5th Grade Beginning of the Year Game
Back to School Math Mystery Activity - 5th Grade Beginning of the Year Game
Back to School Math Mystery Activity - 5th Grade Beginning of the Year Game
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Back to School Math Mystery Activity - 5th Grade Beginning of the Year Game
Back to School Math Mystery Activity - 5th Grade Beginning of the Year Game
Back to School Math Mystery Activity - 5th Grade Beginning of the Year Game
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What others say

"Every time I give my students one of these mysteries they are thrilled! I have also left them as sub plans from time to time and the feedback has been that they are successful and easy to implement for a sub. They work well for mid-unit assessments too. Fantastic resource that sustains inquiry."
star
Philippa M.
"My students were very shy the first week, but once I gave thim this, they were working together and determined to solve the mystery! "
star
Jennifer K.

Description

Back to School Math Mystery: the Case of The School Invaders - 5th Grade Edition.

Students must review math skills from the previous grade to help get rid of the stinky, slimy Geometron aliens invading Mathhattan Elementary School!

Easy prep!

  • Printable PDF - print, copy, solve!
  • Digital worksheets with Google Slides or EASEL

Students must use their math skills to unlock clues. The clues will help them eliminate locations to find where the aliens' transponder is!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Optional video hook included for introducing the case!

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO HOOK! or check out in the preview section.

⭐Due to several requests, now there is the option to use a video hook that says TARGET: 'Your School' instead of TARGET: Mathhattan Elementary. I've added an editable story page for you to add your school's name in the reading section too.

Ending Video Clip also included to wrap up the mystery!

>> UPDATE: The videos now come with voiceovers to narrate the text


Math Skills Required to Unlock Clues

There are five clues to crack to solve the mystery:

  • Clue 1: Division Facts (1-12 Random mix)
  • Clue 2: Reducing Fractions to Lowest Terms
  • Clue 3: Multiplication Facts (Random mix between 2-12)
  • Clue 4: Ordering Decimals (Tenths and Hundredths)
  • Clue 5: Prime and Composite Numbers

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Multiple Uses

- Consolidation

- Practice and Review

- Math Centers

- Early Finishers

- Substitute Teachers

- Assessment for learning

- Homework

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


How long will this activity take?

Time to complete varies depending on your student's familiarity with the math mystery format and the skills required to unlock clues. You can pace it out by completing one clue a day --> there are five clues!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- If you would like more challenging math skills, select a higher grade level version of this mystery.

- If you would like a set of easier math skills, select a lower-grade level version of this mystery.

This Back to School Math Mystery activity is also available for the other grade levels listed below:

Case of the School Invaders - Grade 1

Case of the School Invaders - Grade 2

Case of the School Invaders - Grade 3

Case of the School Invaders - Grade 4

Case of the School Invaders - Grade 5

Case of the School Invaders - Grade 6

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bundle and Save!

COMPLETE Math Mystery Bundle for GRADE 5

Holiday Math Mystery Bundle {GRADE 5}

Seasons Math Mystery Bundle Pack (GRADE 5)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 5th Grade Range:

>>Download the FREE 5th Grade Math Mystery Checklist here<<

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Instagram @mrsjsresourcecreations

_________________________________________________________________

>>CLICK HERE to follow my store <<

_________________________________________________________________

Thank you!

Mrs. J.

© 2018

Report this resource to TPT
Reported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT's content guidelines.
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Back to School Math Mystery Activity - 5th Grade Beginning of the Year Game

Mrs J's Resource Creations
41.6k Followers
$4.95

Highlights

Digital downloads
Grades icon
Grades
Standards icon
Standards
Pages
16
Answer Key
Included

What others say

"Every time I give my students one of these mysteries they are thrilled! I have also left them as sub plans from time to time and the feedback has been that they are successful and easy to implement for a sub. They work well for mid-unit assessments too. Fantastic resource that sustains inquiry."
star
Philippa M.
"My students were very shy the first week, but once I gave thim this, they were working together and determined to solve the mystery! "
star
Jennifer K.

Save even more with bundles

This Complete Math Mystery Tri-Grade Bundle contains all of my math mysteries currently in the range available for Grades 4, 5, and 6!Make math fun and exciting by adding a mystery twist to your worksheets. Your students will gain lots of math practice while also developing their critical thinking a
Price $623.17Original Price $890.25Save $267.08
188
Math Mysteries for the HOLIDAYS collection! 5th Grade Edition. These fun math mystery activities will get your students excited about doing math review! Save time and money with this Math Mystery HOLIDAY bundle for Grade 5!Easy prep! Just Print &amp; Solve! Or go paperless with the new Google Docs o
Price $92.62Original Price $132.30Save $39.68
27
Math Mystery COMPLETE 5th Grade Edition collection! This complete math mystery bundle contains all of my math mysteries for Grade 5 up to date! Make math fun and exciting with these engaging activities that will motivate even some of your most reluctant learners.Easy prep! Just Print &amp; Solve! Or
Price $217.81Original Price $311.15Save $93.34
67

Description

Back to School Math Mystery: the Case of The School Invaders - 5th Grade Edition.

Students must review math skills from the previous grade to help get rid of the stinky, slimy Geometron aliens invading Mathhattan Elementary School!

Easy prep!

  • Printable PDF - print, copy, solve!
  • Digital worksheets with Google Slides or EASEL

Students must use their math skills to unlock clues. The clues will help them eliminate locations to find where the aliens' transponder is!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Optional video hook included for introducing the case!

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO HOOK! or check out in the preview section.

⭐Due to several requests, now there is the option to use a video hook that says TARGET: 'Your School' instead of TARGET: Mathhattan Elementary. I've added an editable story page for you to add your school's name in the reading section too.

Ending Video Clip also included to wrap up the mystery!

>> UPDATE: The videos now come with voiceovers to narrate the text


Math Skills Required to Unlock Clues

There are five clues to crack to solve the mystery:

  • Clue 1: Division Facts (1-12 Random mix)
  • Clue 2: Reducing Fractions to Lowest Terms
  • Clue 3: Multiplication Facts (Random mix between 2-12)
  • Clue 4: Ordering Decimals (Tenths and Hundredths)
  • Clue 5: Prime and Composite Numbers

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Multiple Uses

- Consolidation

- Practice and Review

- Math Centers

- Early Finishers

- Substitute Teachers

- Assessment for learning

- Homework

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


How long will this activity take?

Time to complete varies depending on your student's familiarity with the math mystery format and the skills required to unlock clues. You can pace it out by completing one clue a day --> there are five clues!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- If you would like more challenging math skills, select a higher grade level version of this mystery.

- If you would like a set of easier math skills, select a lower-grade level version of this mystery.

This Back to School Math Mystery activity is also available for the other grade levels listed below:

Case of the School Invaders - Grade 1

Case of the School Invaders - Grade 2

Case of the School Invaders - Grade 3

Case of the School Invaders - Grade 4

Case of the School Invaders - Grade 5

Case of the School Invaders - Grade 6

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bundle and Save!

COMPLETE Math Mystery Bundle for GRADE 5

Holiday Math Mystery Bundle {GRADE 5}

Seasons Math Mystery Bundle Pack (GRADE 5)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 5th Grade Range:

>>Download the FREE 5th Grade Math Mystery Checklist here<<

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Instagram @mrsjsresourcecreations

_________________________________________________________________

>>CLICK HERE to follow my store <<

_________________________________________________________________

Thank you!

Mrs. J.

© 2018

Report this resource to TPT
Reported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT's content guidelines.

Reviews

4.9
Rated 4.88 out of 5, based on 675 reviews
675
ratings
5
618
4
55
3
2
2
0
1
0
Mostly used with 5th grade
Reviews
3
4
7
45
245
38
4
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
What customers are saying
Met expectations
100%
Is a great value
100%
Is standards-aligned
100%
All verified TPT purchases
Great resource
Rated 5 out of 5
May 6, 2026
Students always enjoy these activities. Great review of past skills
Amanda W.
713 reviews
Grades taught: 5th
Student populations: Autism, Emerging bilinguals, Learning difficulties, Mild to severe disabilities
Great Resource!
Rated 5 out of 5
April 21, 2026
Great resource! Easy to use and my students loved it. Thank you!
1,348 reviews • Massachusetts
Grades taught: PreK, K, 1st, 2nd
Super resource!
Rated 4 out of 5
April 15, 2026
Met expectations
Great value
Standards-aligned
I love using math mysteries to supplement our math program. They're perfect for substitutes or the day before a break.
Kelly-Jo T.
15 reviews • Tennessee
Grades taught: 5th
Excellent resource
Rated 5 out of 5
March 18, 2026
Met expectations
Great value
Standards-aligned
Every time I give my students one of these mysteries they are thrilled! I have also left them as sub plans from time to time and the feedback has been that they are successful and easy to implement for a sub. They work well for mid-unit assessments too. Fantastic resource that sustains inquiry.
Philippa M.
61 reviews
Grades taught: 5th
Math Mystery
Rated 4 out of 5
February 27, 2026
My students love these Math Mysteries. They're always asking for more!
Learning for Fun
(TPT Seller)
660 reviews • Kentucky
Grades taught: 5th
A well crafted resource
Rated 5 out of 5
February 8, 2026
My students love doing this math mystery's!! They are so fun!!
Kaylee Svitak
(TPT Seller)
265 reviews • Vermont
Grades taught: 4th, 5th
Fun and Challenging
Rated 4 out of 5
February 2, 2026
Met expectations
Great value
Standards-aligned
My students enjoyed this activity. It was a little challenging at first, but once they got the hang of it they had fun.
Jennifer B.
588 reviews • Missouri
Grades taught: 5th, 6th
Great for Back to School!
Rated 5 out of 5
December 10, 2025
Met expectations
Great value
Standards-aligned
My students were very shy the first week, but once I gave thim this, they were working together and determined to solve the mystery!
Jennifer K.
241 reviews • Outside the United States
Grades taught: 5th, 6th

Questions & Answers

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Standards

to see state-specific standards (only available in the US).
Find all factor pairs for a whole number in the range 1-100. Recognize that a whole number is a multiple of each of its factors. Determine whether a given whole number in the range 1-100 is a multiple of a given one-digit number. Determine whether a given whole number in the range 1-100 is prime or composite.
Explain why a fraction 𝘢/𝘣 is equivalent to a fraction (𝘯 × 𝘢)/(𝘯 × 𝘣) by using visual fraction models, with attention to how the number and size of the parts differ even though the two fractions themselves are the same size. Use this principle to recognize and generate equivalent fractions.
Compare two decimals to hundredths by reasoning about their size. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two decimals refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, or <, and justify the conclusions, e.g., by using a visual model.
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