TPT
Total:
$0.00
ActiveMath Mysteries Banner

ActiveMath Mysteries

Rated 4.63 out of 5, based on 49 reviews
84 Followers
Oakwood, Ohio, United States
About the store
The authors and designers of this store have vast experience in creating top-notch math resources! You'll find high quality review or warm-up activities that engage and challenge students in middle school or beyond. Students will review math as they learn about inspirational people, places, and events throughout the year!
Read more

All resources

Preview of Math & the New Year 2026 Challenge | Order of Operations and Mixed Review

Math & the New Year 2026 Challenge | Order of Operations and Mixed Review

Challenge students to create numbers 0–26 by using each of the four digits in the year 2026 exactly once. The skills are order of operations, fractions, exponents, and evaluating expressions. Your PDF download includes:A printable student pageA page of sample answers3 pages of teacher notes including an Extension, quotations for the new year, and professional development support1 page of links to engaging Math History-Mystery Puzzles for each monthAll Math History-Mystery Puzzles connect math
Preview of Multi-Step Equations: 4 Math-History PDF Mini Lessons + BONUS Gr 8 & Up

Multi-Step Equations: 4 Math-History PDF Mini Lessons + BONUS Gr 8 & Up

These four engaging PDF mini lessons for 8th grade and up connect mathematics to history. Math clues provide mixed review including focus on multi-step equations. Students solve the clues to find digits of each Mystery Year. Plus, you'll get an additional bonus one-page decoder activity with several multi-step equations related to the same history topics as the four mini lessons. Each Mystery Year Puzzle Includes Print & Digital Options:1-page printable puzzle with answers Easel screens
Preview of Equations & Inequalities: 4 Math-History PDF Mini Lessons + BONUS Gr 7 & Up

Equations & Inequalities: 4 Math-History PDF Mini Lessons + BONUS Gr 7 & Up

These four engaging PDF mini lessons for 7th grade and up connect mathematics to history. Math clues provide mixed review including focus on equations and inequalities. Students solve the clues to find digits of each Mystery Year. Plus, you'll get an additional bonus one-page decoder activity with several equations and inequalities related to the same history topics as the four mini lessons. Each Mystery Year Puzzle Includes Print & Digital Options:1-page printable puzzle with answers Ea
Preview of Writing & Solving Equations: 4 Math-History PDF Mini Lessons + BONUS Gr 6 & Up

Writing & Solving Equations: 4 Math-History PDF Mini Lessons + BONUS Gr 6 & Up

These four engaging PDF mini lessons for 6th grade and up connect mathematics to history. Math clues provide mixed review including focus on equations. Students solve the clues to find digits of each Mystery Year. Plus, you'll get an additional bonus one-page decoder activity with several equations related to the same history topics as the four mini lessons. Each Mystery Year Puzzle Includes Print & Digital Options:1-page printable puzzle with answers Easel screens showing the introducti
Preview of Armistice / Veterans Day Middle School Math PDF Mixed Review & PPT SLIDES BUNDLE

Armistice / Veterans Day Middle School Math PDF Mixed Review & PPT SLIDES BUNDLE

This PDF activity and slide show for Armistice Day (Veteran's Day) connect middle school math to history. During this PDF mini lesson, students solve math clues to find the Mystery Year related to November 11th. Your Purchase Includes Print & Digital Options:1-page printable puzzle with 1-page answer key4 pages of Teacher Notes including step-by-step solutions, optional extensions, and a variety of teaching tips22 PowerPoint screens including four screens with clues plus answer screens, Ext
Preview of Nov. 11 Math & Veterans Day Puzzle: World War I Armistice | Math Slides PPT

Nov. 11 Math & Veterans Day Puzzle: World War I Armistice | Math Slides PPT

On November 11th of the Mystery Year, the armistice that ended World War I was signed. To find the year, students solve math clues involving divisibility by 11, fraction division, patterns, and exponents. This puzzle reviews 6th and 7th grade skills and is great to use for review or test prep at any time. INCLUDES22 PowerPoint screens including five screens with clues plus the introduction, answer screens, Extensions, Historical Notes, and a Quote. The GIF preview shows a low-resolution vers
Preview of Halloween - It's the Great Pumpkin | Middle School Math PDF Review & PPT BUNDLE

Halloween - It's the Great Pumpkin | Middle School Math PDF Review & PPT BUNDLE

This PDF activity and slide show for October 27th or Halloween connect math to the animated television show, "It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." During this mini lesson, students solve math clues to find the Mystery Year.Why October 27th? It was the date that the special program was first broadcast.Topics: Clues for finding the Mystery Year involve proportions, making a diagram, area of a circle, and measurement.Your Purchase Includes Print & Digital Options:1-page printable puzzle with 1-
Preview of Halloween: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown | Middle School Math Slides PPT

Halloween: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown | Middle School Math Slides PPT

This slide show for October 27th or Halloween connects math to the animated television show, "It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." During this mini lesson, students solve math clues to find the Mystery Year.Why October 27th? It was the date that the special program was first broadcast.Topics: Clues for finding the Mystery Year involve proportions, making a diagram, area of a circle, and measurement.INCLUDES18 PowerPoint screens including four screens with clues plus answer screens, Extension
Preview of Ice-Cream Cup Patent by Italo Marchiony | Middle School Math-History Slides PPT

Ice-Cream Cup Patent by Italo Marchiony | Middle School Math-History Slides PPT

This slide show involves the patent date for inventor Marchiony's ice cream cup. Middle school students solve math clues to find the Mystery Year. Why September 22nd? It was the date of the ice cream cup patent.Topics: Clues for finding the Mystery Year involve volume of a prism and cylinder, operations with decimals, and evaluating expressions. INCLUDES22 PowerPoint screens including four screens with clues plus answer screens, Extensions, and Historical Notes. The GIF preview shows a low-res
Preview of Black History ML King's Dream Speech: Middle School Math Review Slides PPT

Black History ML King's Dream Speech: Middle School Math Review Slides PPT

This slide show involves a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. on August 28th of the Mystery Year. Connect math and Black history for 6th, 7th, or 8th grade math students. Why August 28th? It was the date of the "I Have a Dream" speech.Topics: Clues for finding the Mystery Year involve equilateral triangles, basic operations with whole numbers, and number sense. INCLUDES17 PowerPoint screens including four screens with clues plus answer screens, an Extension, Historical Notes, and Quotes. The G
Preview of Black History ML King Dream Speech | Middle School Math PDF Review & PPT Slides

Black History ML King Dream Speech | Middle School Math PDF Review & PPT Slides

This PDF mini lesson and slide show for middle school involve a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. given on August 28th of the Mystery Year. Students solve clues about equilateral triangles, basic operations with whole numbers, and number sense to find the year. Connections are made to Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama.  Your BUNDLE Purchase Includes Print & Digital Options:1-page printable puzzle with 1-page answer key6 pages of Easel screens showing introduction and the four puzzle quest
Preview of Birthday of Dolly Parton | Middle School Math Review Slide Show (PPT)

Birthday of Dolly Parton | Middle School Math Review Slide Show (PPT)

This Dolly Parton slide show can be a fun math-history connection for 6th, 7th, or 8th grade math students to use on January 19 or another day. Why January 19? It is the birthday of country music star Dolly Parton. Topics: Clues for finding the Mystery Year involve unit rate, the triangle inequality, powers of 10, and order of operations. An extension makes connections among probability, odds, and "9 to 5." INCLUDES19-page PowerPoint file including four screens with clues plus answer screens
Preview of Birthday of Dolly Parton | Middle School Math PDF Review & PPT Slides BUNDLE

Birthday of Dolly Parton | Middle School Math PDF Review & PPT Slides BUNDLE

January 19 of the Mystery Year is the birthday of country music star Dolly Parton. Clues for finding the year involve unit rate, the triangle inequality, powers of 10, and order of operations. The problems connect to the work of Dolly Parton. An extension makes connections among probability, odds, and "9 to 5." Your Purchase Includes Print & Digital Options:1-page printable puzzle with 1-page answer key6-pages of Easel screens showing introduction and the four puzzle questions5 pages of Teach
Preview of May 28 Math & Literature Puzzle: Poet & Activist Maya Angelou | Grades 6-8 Math

May 28 Math & Literature Puzzle: Poet & Activist Maya Angelou | Grades 6-8 Math

The math clues in this Mystery Year review puzzle involve the Commutative and Associative Properties of Addition to evaluate an expression, finding the percent of a number, dividing with 0, and dividing with mixed numbers. The context is the work of Maya Angelou, civil rights activist and author of seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and more. Your Print/Digital PDF Includes:A ready-to-print Student Page along with annotated Answer Key 3 pages of Teacher Not
Preview of May 27 Mystery Year Puzzle: Biologist & Writer Rachel Carson | Grades 6-8 Math

May 27 Mystery Year Puzzle: Biologist & Writer Rachel Carson | Grades 6-8 Math

The math clues in this Mystery Year review puzzle involve division of multi-digit numbers, rounding decimals, area of a circle, and evaluating an expression with an exponent. The context is the work of biologist Rachel Carson, author of the book Silent Spring. Your Print/Digital PDF Includes:A ready-to-print Student Page along with annotated Answer Key 3 pages of Teacher Notes with step-by-step solutions, historical notes, links, and optional extension questions1 page with tips, How to Use H
Preview of May 22 Mystery Year Puzzle: Wagon Train on the Oregon Trail | Grades 6-8 Math

May 22 Mystery Year Puzzle: Wagon Train on the Oregon Trail | Grades 6-8 Math

As students solve this Mystery Year puzzle, they solve math review problems involving percent, elapsed time, and equations. The context of this puzzle is the first major wagon train to travel what is known as the Oregon Trail.Your Print/Digital PDF Includes:A ready-to-print Student Page along with annotated Answer Key 2 pages of Teacher Notes with step-by-step solutions, common misconceptions, links to historical notes, and optional extension questions1 page with tips, How to Use History-Myste
Preview of May 20 Mystery Year Puzzle: Blue Jeans Patent Issued | Grades 6-8 Percent Change

May 20 Mystery Year Puzzle: Blue Jeans Patent Issued | Grades 6-8 Percent Change

As students solve this Mystery Year puzzle, they use proportions and percent to calculate markup and markdown. The context of this puzzle is the patent for blue jeans issued on May 20 of the Mystery Year to businessman Levi Strauss and tailor Jacob Davis.Your Print/Digital PDF Includes:A ready-to-print Student Page along with annotated Answer Key 2 pages of Teacher Notes with step-by-step solutions, common misconceptions, links to historical notes, and optional extension questions1 page wit
Preview of May 17 Mystery Year Puzzle: Brown v. Board of Education | Grades 7-8 Math Review

May 17 Mystery Year Puzzle: Brown v. Board of Education | Grades 7-8 Math Review

On May 17 of the Mystery Year, the U.S. Supreme Court justices ruled 9–0 that state laws involving racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional. The math clues for finding the year involve proportional reasoning, solving an equation with rational coefficients, and converting a fraction to a decimal or percent. The ruling is called Brown v. Board of Education.Your Print/Digital PDF Includes:A ready-to-print Student Page along with annotated Answer Key 4 pages of Teacher Notes with
Preview of May 12 Mystery Year Puzzle: American Musical HAMILTON | Grades 6-8 Math Review

May 12 Mystery Year Puzzle: American Musical HAMILTON | Grades 6-8 Math Review

On May 12 of the Mystery Year the musical Hamilton won eleven Tony Awards. To find the year, students solve math clues about place value, patterns, evaluating algebraic expressions, converting time, and finding the percent of a number. Your Print/Digital PDF Includes:A ready-to-print Student Page along with annotated Answer Key 4 pages of Teacher Notes with step-by-step solutions, reteaching tips, historical notes, and optional extension questions1 page with tips, How to Use History-Mystery P
Preview of May Funday Puzzle: Math and Memorable Moms | Mother's Day Mixed Review

May Funday Puzzle: Math and Memorable Moms | Mother's Day Mixed Review

This middle school warm-up connects math with historical dates for these five women: Alberta King, Princess Diana, J.K. Rowling, Irena Sendler, and Anna Jarvis (founder of the Mother's Day holiday in the United States). As students find missing digits of Mystery Years, they solve problems with expressions, equations, absolute value, volume, coordinates, and percent markdown. This resource includes PPT / Google Slides with the clues, extensions, answers, quotations, and certain historical note
Showing 1-20 of 155 results

About the store

Experience

The authors and designers of this store have vast experience in creating top-notch math resources! You'll find high quality review or warm-up activities that engage and challenge students in middle school or beyond. Students will review math as they learn about inspirational people, places, and events throughout the year!

Teaching style

DAVID B. SPANGLER wrote or inspired the entire series of puzzles in this store. He was active in mathematics education from 1972 until his passing in 2022. He taught at the middle school and community college levels, while continuing to teach math methods courses at the university level. In 1994, he co-founded ActiveMath Workshops for teachers. Over the years, he helped develop math programs for major publishers, authored seven math books, wrote numerous articles for math education journals, and was a frequent speaker at math conferences. David held a master's degree in education with an emphasis in mathematics from Northern Illinois University. David epitomized what good mathematics instruction looked and sounded like. His legacy will live on in the many lives his work and works impacted. His coworkers, Karen and Angie, will continue to update puzzles in this store. KAREN S. CORDELL has been a trusted math educator/coach/consultant for 35 years. Her focus is development of resources that support efficacy, access, and equity for all students. She has taught middle school and high school mathematics and has planned and delivered engaging lessons that helped all students build conceptual understanding through varied reflective learning activities. Karen has created both formative and summative assessments. Her master's degree in educational leadership is from The College of New Jersey. ANGIE SELTZER has 30+ years of experience in math curriculum writing, editing, and instructional design. She has been a supervising editor of major textbooks, assessment resources, and technology supplements. Angie has taught at the middle school level and tutored students of all ages. She has a master's degree in mathematics education from The Ohio State University. Angie has her own TpT Store with thousands of 5-star reviews on games to promote math sense! (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/K8mathsense)

Additional biographical information

STORE CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE TEAM David and Karen were co-authors of more than 130 Math History-Mystery Puzzles in this store. Angie designed the covers, previews, correlation charts, and other elements for Math History-Mystery Puzzles. READ MORE ON LINKED-IN for KarenCordell and Angie-Seltzer.