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4th Grade October Math Adventure- Case of the Disappearing Rainforest
The Baffled Bungler has made another unwise business mistake--this time, he bought 100 acres of rainforest land to put up skyscrapers! Fortunately for the planet, the Learning League know the importance of protecting the environment and are working to stop him. But to figure out which rainforest he will be cutting down, they need your help!! Follow the clues that will lead you to the correct rainforest by answering math problems, and protect our planet. This Math Adventure will keep your classroom explorers engaged and working hard on math skills, while learning some science! Also available for 3rd and 5th grade.
100% of the earnings from this resource will go directly to the Rainforest Action Network, an organization that protects not only the ecosystems and wildlife in the Amazon, but the Indigenous communities and their culture, as well.
WHO is this mystery for?
Students on the 4th grade level who are practicing these math skills:
Choose the Correct Equation- Two Step
Complex Rounding- Up to Nearest 1,000
Multiples
Properties of Multiplication- Zero, Identity, Commutative
Read Complex Graphs
Teachers looking for a quick-prep, rigorous but differentiated, interdisciplinary activity that showcases topics that are often ignored or unexplored within social studies and science curriculum.
WHAT is included?
This adventure is an hour-long activity that can be completed in 3 Tracks:
Students read the mystery on a printed booklet, and they solve the clues by answering questions on Google Slides, which they can access with a QR code or link on a computer, tablet, or phone.
Students read the mystery on a printed booklet, and they solve the clues by answering questions on printed task cards.
Students read the mystery in one browser window of Google Slides, and they solve the clues by toggling between another browser window of Google Slides to answer questions. This method works great for laptops, but is not recommended for tablets.
No matter which track you take, the core of the activity is the same. Students always have access to the mystery story, 40 math problems, 5 Science Exploration posters, a Writing Challenge, and an integral poster about:
Daintree Park, Hoh Rainforest, Kakum Park, Khao Yai Park, & Tongass Forest
Students will walk away from this lesson knowing these science concepts:
- Why these rainforests matter to the Earth and human life
- How rainforests plants have cured diseases and could cure more
- The ways each of us can work to save endangered animals and their rainforest homes
- and more!!
WHEN is it designed to be completed?
These skills are best practiced during World Rainforest Week in October. It’s run by the Rainforest Action Network each year, so check their website to know the exact dates!!
WHERE can students solve this mystery?
Students can complete this activity in your classroom with pen and paper or technology, and even from home, thanks to the Digital Track!
HOW can this activity be differentiated?
Using either of these methods, you can scaffold these activities to meet each of your students, exactly where they’re at.
CUSTOMIZATION: great for students above and below grade level
Each math problem can be edited to whatever you please! Hypothetically, you could buy this mystery for the framework it provides, and change every single question.
AUDIO SUPPORTS: great for multilingual students
For the tracks including technology, your students have access to a read-aloud of not just the story, but each word written on Google Slides.
WHY should your students adventure with the Learning League?
Low teacher prep/High student engagement
Anti-racist curriculum that uplifts women and Black and Indigenous people of color
Three activity tracks with DISTANCE LEARNING OPTION
Audio scaffolding and editable problems
TRY OUT A MYSTERY FOR FREE!
Download The Oil Spill Mystery for math and The Case of the Absent Abolitionist for reading.
Adventure also available on TeachersPayTeachers!