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Earth Day Activity: Case of the Litterbug - 4th Grade Math Review Math Mystery
Earth Day Activity: Case of the Litterbug - 4th Grade Math Review Math Mystery
Earth Day Activity: Case of the Litterbug - 4th Grade Math Review Math Mystery
Earth Day Activity: Case of the Litterbug - 4th Grade Math Review Math Mystery
Earth Day Activity: Case of the Litterbug - 4th Grade Math Review Math Mystery
Earth Day Activity: Case of the Litterbug - 4th Grade Math Review Math Mystery
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Earth Day Activity: Case of the Litterbug - 4th Grade Math Review Math Mystery
Earth Day Activity: Case of the Litterbug - 4th Grade Math Review Math Mystery
Earth Day Activity: Case of the Litterbug - 4th Grade Math Review Math Mystery
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What others say

"Hi, I wasn't able to open this file, but purchased other ones and didn't have any issues. Would you be able to email me this file? khoulihan@dbqschools.org thanks so much!"
star
Kaylee H.
"These are absolutley fabulous for sub-plans, holidays, and review of concepts. I think I own the entire collection now. ;o) The students love them and they can work independently or in pairs. Thank you for this great resource."
star
Catherine K.

Description

Earth Day Math Common Core aligned Math Mystery 4th Grade Edition “The Case of The Litterbug”. A litterbug is on the loose, spreading trash all over the place! A great math detective is needed to help the police find the litterbug and save the environment! Your students will be engaged and motivated by this fun Earth Day detective story, which encourages critical thinking as they must reason their way through eliminating suspects. Easy prep! Just Print & Solve! Or go paperless with the new Google Slides option provided within your download.


A video hook is provided to set the stage to engage! Check out the video hook in the preview section.

A bonus ENDING VIDEO clip is included to celebrate finishing the mystery.

Update: >>The Videos now have voiceovers<<


Easy Prep!

  • PDF printable version - print and copy the worksheets, and your student detectives are ready to solve!
  • Google Slides Digital version - Find the link in the Teacher Instructions section to open the worksheets digitally in Google Slides. Make a copy for your students and assign it. Students must be in 'edit' mode to enter answers.


<<<<>>>>

  • Clue 1: Roman Numerals (Numbers between 1-250) (Read Clue 1 guide here)
  • Clue 2: Estimating Sums and Differences (Rounding to the nearest tens, hundreds and thousands required)
  • Clue 3: Dividing 2-Digit Numbers by 1-Digit Numbers with remainders
  • Clue 4: Identifying 2D and 3D Shapes
  • Clue 5: Fractions of a Number

⭐Also included:

  • Answer key
  • The worksheets in Google Slides
  • Printable certificates
  • Editable Suspects list! This way you can change the suspect names and alter the mystery outcome. There are also two alternative pre-made lists you can use instead. This is a great option if your students have already done this mystery story before and you need to change the mystery answer.


How long will this activity take?

The time to complete will vary anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours! It mainly depends on how familiar your students are with the math mystery format and 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. I recommend pacing this activity by giving students one clue at a time. Once the whole class has completed a clue, move on to the next clue 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." There are lots of ways to implement this activity in your classroom; learn more in the blog post link below:

Read Blog Post: Five Easy Ways to use Math Mysteries in your Classroom.


Multiple Uses

Great for:

  • Review
  • Consolidation
  • Math Centers
  • Extra Practice
  • Enrichment
  • Early Finishers
  • Homework
  • Substitute Teachers

Great Earth Day Math Activity!


This Earth Day Math Mystery activity is available for GRADES 1-6!

Case of the Litterbug ==Grade 1== Click here

Case of the Litterbug ==Grade 2== Click here

Case of the Litterbug ==Grade 3== Click here

Case of the Litterbug ==Grade 4== Click here

Case of the Litterbug ==Grade 5== Click here

Case of the Litterbug ==Grade 6== Click here

You may also like:

Earth Day READING MYSTERY: Once Upon a Crime, Forest Grime!

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 4

Holiday Math Mystery Bundle {GRADE 4}

Seasons Math Mystery Bundle Pack (GRADE 4)

SKILLS Math Mystery Bundle (4th Grade)

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

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 4th Grade Range:

>>Download the FREE 4th 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

Facebook

Instagram @mrsjsresourcecreations

___________________________________________________________________

>> CLICK HERE to follow my store <<

Thank you!

Mrs. J.

© 2016

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.

Earth Day Activity: Case of the Litterbug - 4th Grade Math Review Math Mystery

Mrs J's Resource Creations
41.6k Followers
$4.95

Highlights

Digital downloads
Grades icon
Grades
Pages
16
Answer Key
Included

What others say

"Hi, I wasn't able to open this file, but purchased other ones and didn't have any issues. Would you be able to email me this file? khoulihan@dbqschools.org thanks so much!"
star
Kaylee H.
"These are absolutley fabulous for sub-plans, holidays, and review of concepts. I think I own the entire collection now. ;o) The students love them and they can work independently or in pairs. Thank you for this great resource."
star
Catherine 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
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Math Mysteries for the HOLIDAYS bundle! 4th Grade Edition. These fun math mystery activities will excite your students about doing math reviews! Save time and money with this Math Mystery HOLIDAY bundle for Grade 4!Easy prep! Just Print &amp; Solve! Or go paperless with the new Google Docs option pr
Price $96.39Original Price $137.70Save $41.31
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Math Mysteries, the COMPLETE collection for 4th Grade. This complete math mystery bundle contains all of my math mysteries for Grade 4 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!
Price $231.97Original Price $331.40Save $99.43
71

Description

Earth Day Math Common Core aligned Math Mystery 4th Grade Edition “The Case of The Litterbug”. A litterbug is on the loose, spreading trash all over the place! A great math detective is needed to help the police find the litterbug and save the environment! Your students will be engaged and motivated by this fun Earth Day detective story, which encourages critical thinking as they must reason their way through eliminating suspects. Easy prep! Just Print & Solve! Or go paperless with the new Google Slides option provided within your download.


A video hook is provided to set the stage to engage! Check out the video hook in the preview section.

A bonus ENDING VIDEO clip is included to celebrate finishing the mystery.

Update: >>The Videos now have voiceovers<<


Easy Prep!

  • PDF printable version - print and copy the worksheets, and your student detectives are ready to solve!
  • Google Slides Digital version - Find the link in the Teacher Instructions section to open the worksheets digitally in Google Slides. Make a copy for your students and assign it. Students must be in 'edit' mode to enter answers.


<<<<>>>>

  • Clue 1: Roman Numerals (Numbers between 1-250) (Read Clue 1 guide here)
  • Clue 2: Estimating Sums and Differences (Rounding to the nearest tens, hundreds and thousands required)
  • Clue 3: Dividing 2-Digit Numbers by 1-Digit Numbers with remainders
  • Clue 4: Identifying 2D and 3D Shapes
  • Clue 5: Fractions of a Number

⭐Also included:

  • Answer key
  • The worksheets in Google Slides
  • Printable certificates
  • Editable Suspects list! This way you can change the suspect names and alter the mystery outcome. There are also two alternative pre-made lists you can use instead. This is a great option if your students have already done this mystery story before and you need to change the mystery answer.


How long will this activity take?

The time to complete will vary anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours! It mainly depends on how familiar your students are with the math mystery format and 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. I recommend pacing this activity by giving students one clue at a time. Once the whole class has completed a clue, move on to the next clue 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." There are lots of ways to implement this activity in your classroom; learn more in the blog post link below:

Read Blog Post: Five Easy Ways to use Math Mysteries in your Classroom.


Multiple Uses

Great for:

  • Review
  • Consolidation
  • Math Centers
  • Extra Practice
  • Enrichment
  • Early Finishers
  • Homework
  • Substitute Teachers

Great Earth Day Math Activity!


This Earth Day Math Mystery activity is available for GRADES 1-6!

Case of the Litterbug ==Grade 1== Click here

Case of the Litterbug ==Grade 2== Click here

Case of the Litterbug ==Grade 3== Click here

Case of the Litterbug ==Grade 4== Click here

Case of the Litterbug ==Grade 5== Click here

Case of the Litterbug ==Grade 6== Click here

You may also like:

Earth Day READING MYSTERY: Once Upon a Crime, Forest Grime!

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 4

Holiday Math Mystery Bundle {GRADE 4}

Seasons Math Mystery Bundle Pack (GRADE 4)

SKILLS Math Mystery Bundle (4th Grade)

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

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 4th Grade Range:

>>Download the FREE 4th 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

Facebook

Instagram @mrsjsresourcecreations

___________________________________________________________________

>> CLICK HERE to follow my store <<

Thank you!

Mrs. J.

© 2016

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 4.91 out of 5, based on 289 reviews
289
ratings
5
270
4
18
3
1
2
0
1
0
Mostly used with 4th grade
Reviews
1
2
6
104
16
4
1
1st
2nd
3rd
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5th
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All verified TPT purchases
Great Resource
Rated 5 out of 5
June 1, 2026
Loved doing this activity with my students! Great Resource!
Melissa G.
366 reviews • Nevada
Grades taught: 1st
Great Activity
Rated 5 out of 5
May 7, 2026
Met expectations
Great value
This was a great resource for my 4th grade dual language classroom. The activities supported student understanding while also providing a strong review of the science topic. My students were engaged and excited to participate. I appreciate how easy it was to use and plan with. I will continue using this resource every year.
Fiorela M.
2,063 reviews • California
Grades taught: 4th
Student populations: Autism, Emerging bilinguals, Learning difficulties
need help with the file
Rated 5 out of 5
April 28, 2026
Hi, I wasn't able to open this file, but purchased other ones and didn't have any issues. Would you be able to email me this file? khoulihan@dbqschools.org thanks so much!
Kaylee H.
1 review
Mrs J's Resource Creations
Response from
Mrs J's Resource Creations
(TPT Seller)
Apr 29, 2026

Hi Kaylee,

Thank you so much for your purchases! I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing issues opening this particular file. I'm emailing it to you right now. Please let me know if it doesn't come through.

Kind regards,

Jacqui J.

Great Escape Room!
Rated 5 out of 5
April 28, 2026
These are so fun and engaging! The students work very hard to get the problem solved!
Jessica C.
1,040 reviews • Indiana
Grades taught: 4th
Engaging Practice
Rated 5 out of 5
October 24, 2025
Met expectations
Great value
Fun resource for students to practice with........
Tina Patrick
(TPT Seller)
516 reviews • Washington
Grades taught: 4th
Easy to use!
Rated 5 out of 5
August 18, 2025
Met expectations
Great value
These are absolutley fabulous for sub-plans, holidays, and review of concepts. I think I own the entire collection now. ;o) The students love them and they can work independently or in pairs. Thank you for this great resource.
Catherine K.
121 reviews • Michigan
Grades taught: 4th
Great resource
Rated 5 out of 5
July 29, 2025
Met expectations
Great value
I love math mysteries, especially when I need something for a sub. great fun way to review math concepts
Nicole F.
155 reviews
Grades taught: 4th
Rated 5 out of 5
July 12, 2025
My students loved using this resource! It was easy to follow and very engaging for students!
Kelly B.
379 reviews
Grades taught: 4th

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