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:

• Christmas Math Mystery: Case of The Zombie Elves (GRADE 3)
• Christmas Reading Mystery: Once Upon a Crime - Rescue Rudolph!
• New Year Math Mystery: Case of The Millennium Bug (GRADE 3)

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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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Thank you!

Mrs. J.

© 2015