Looking for an Illustrative Math® review that’s as engaging as it is effective?

This Grade 3, Unit 7 Math Mystery is the perfect way to prep students for the End-of-Unit Assessment. Aligned to Illustrative Mathematics standards, this activity turns test prep into a code-cracking adventure! Students review key concepts from Unit 7 while solving clues to catch the mystery culprit.

It’s a fun, memorable way to reinforce unit objectives without the stress- getting your class assessment-ready and fully engaged!

Want the Grade 3 bundle for Units 1-7? Grab it here: https://edu.fair-and-squared.com/G3IMUnitReviews

✏️ The Story:
Mathville’s Dino Park is supposed to be a place of roars, fossils, and family fun, but today it is pure prehistoric chaos. During the morning feeding, one of the dinosaurs let out a fart so powerful it rattled the exhibits and sent visitors wobbling with laughter.

Dr. Rex, with wild hair and a crooked bow tie, is convinced the park is moments away from total embarrassment. There is only one detective he trusts to track down the gassy offender. You.

Grab your magnifying glass, secure your gas mask, and follow the trail of clues before Dino Park’s reputation goes extinct. This mystery is about to be blown wide open.

✨ 4 Reasons Teachers Love Our Math Mysteries:
Teachers choose this Math Mystery because it’s the best of both worlds: engaging for students and low-prep for teachers. Here’s why it works:
❤️ Genuinely fun for students- So they stay engaged for 1-3 hours, mastering math concepts without realizing they’re studying.
❤️ Easy on prep time- Comes with a complete answer key so you can check work in no time.
❤️ Rigorous review of core skills- Ensuring your students truly understand the material, not just memorize test answers.
❤️ Proven engagement factor- Students stay motivated and excited to solve the mystery, making review time feel like playtime.

⚡ Topics Covered:

• Reason with Shapes
• What is Perimeter?
• Expanding on Perimeter
• Design with Perimeter and Area

What's included:
✅️ Each page focuses on a unit-related Section for a thorough review.
✅️ Bonus challenge question included for extra practice with word problems.
✅️ Teacher instruction sheet for a no-hassle setup.
✅️ Answer key provided for speedy corrections.
✅️ Black & white version for easy printing.
✅️ Student certificate of completion to reward hard work.

What are teachers saying about our math mystery reviews?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "My students loved doing this as a review activity. They wanted to keep going during recess time."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Awesome product to review for the assessment. Kids were engaged and had fun!"

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "My students LOVED doing this during one of their math station rotations. They could not wait until the last day to find out who the culprit was. They were completely engaged in this activity. It was so great! The best part is they were practicing their math skills right before a test. So awesome!"
We recommend giving 60-120 minutes or assigning this activity as a week-long homework assignment during the lead-up to the End-of-Unit Assessment.

We highly recommend encouraging students to complete the Challenge Question to best prepare them for the assessment's word problems.

To save paper and ink, we recommend only printing the necessary pages.

Please note that the contents of this packet are not for distribution without the author's permission.
Single classroom use only.
For sharing beyond this, please purchase additional licenses.

Disclaimer: This resource is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Illustrative Mathematics®. It is an independent tool created to support educators who use the IM® curriculum. Illustrative Mathematics® is a registered trademark of Illustrative Mathematics. All curriculum content referenced remains the property of its respective owners. You can access the curriculum for free at https://www.openupresources.org.