3rd Grade Math & 3rd Grade Reading Project! Third grade math problem solving! Winter Math Activity! Project-Based Learning engaging math story problem project! Google Slides versions included!
The ICE RINK INCIDENT math mystery-story problem project is an awesome way to keep your students engaged in math problem-solving during the Winter season! It covers multiplication within 50 and within 100, as well as addition and subtraction within 1,000 so it is accessible to many third grade student as enrichment and engaging review. Students will be intrinsically motivated to solve the mystery and along the way they will be engaged in solving math problems! This project is differentiated with two different levels includes to support students at different levels of problem-solving. It also includes a printable version and a digital version (.pptx and Google Slides).
It is also self-checking, so students will have feedback right away at the end of the project to see if they are correct because if they are incorrect their answer won’t be one of the suspect choices.
This project includes 11 pages per level of engaging math story problems! Embedded in the story problems are reading passages at approximately a 610-800 Lexile level that are great for third readers! Also, if the text level is above a child's independent level, this is a great activity to do as a read-aloud or with the support of a parent/teacher in whole group or small group!
Look for the level key on the bottom right side of each page to ensure that students are working on the correct level. This project focuses on multiplication and division within 100 as well as addition and subtraction and mixed-operation story problems. Both levels of this project are aligned to standards 3.OA.A.3, 3.OA.C.7, 3.OA.D.8, 3.NBT.A.2, and 3.MD.A.1. The project is also aligned to ELA standards CCSS.ELA-LITERATURE-3.3 and ELA-LITERATURE.3.10. The levels include the following types of problems:
- Level 1: multiplication and division within 50 (both application and fluency practice). Addition and subtraction within 1,000 with minimal regrouping. Mostly single-step story problems with result unknown story problem structure.
- Level 2: multiplication and division within 100 (both application and fluency practice). Addition and subtraction within 1,000. Regrouping on most problems. Mixed story problem structure with mostly multi-step problems.
How does it work?
- Students are presented with a mystery situation, and the possible suspects for who committed the crime.
- Students read the alibi statements for each character and solve the related math problem(s) on each page.
- Students use the additional details, clues, detective conversations and information to determine who is guilty of the crime.
- Students determine who they think is guilty. Then they solve the final problem to see if they are correct. In order for this to work, they must solve other problems throughout the project correctly. If they find that the final problem is unsolvable, or their answer is not a possible option, then they need to go back and check their work!
*The Ice Rink Incident: The Northland Ice Rink is everyone’s favorite place to be in the Winter. From figure skating, to ice hockey, curling and free skate, there is something for everyone. People of all ages come just to check out the fantastic indoor ice rink. This winter, the Northland Ice Rink was getting ready to host their annual Ice Festival. But something terrible happened! On the day of the festival, the entire ice rink had melted! It was a wet pool of water instead of an icy wonderland! Who would do such a terrible thing? Use your math skills to help the detectives solve the mystery of the Ice Rink Incident!
Note, this project is Winter themed but does not specifically mention any Winter holidays. It can be used as a compliment to holiday activities, but never mentions any specific holidays or things related to holidays (to give more access to schools that do not celebrate specific holidays).
"Where were you at the time of the crime?
It couldn’t be you, so tell us why!
We hope you have a good alibi! "
The project opens as a ZIP file which includes:
- PDF versions of each level of the project
- Power Point versions of each level of the project (with easy-to-use "enter text here" boxes for easy online submission). Compatible with Google Drive/Google Classroom. Now including direct links to Google Slides versions of the project!
- Directions for Digital Use
- Answer keys for every page!
I hope you enjoy this engaging Winter Math Mystery!