5th Grade November Math Adventure- Case of the Hijacked Headwear

A fashion exhibit is robbed by none other than the Culture Crook, and he’s made off with one of the world’s most famous pieces of headwear!! The Learning League is first on the scene to figure out which has been stolen, but they need your help! Solve the clues by answering math questions, and find that headwear! This Math Adventure will keep your classroom explorers engaged and working hard on math skills, while learning some social studies!
 
Also available for 3rd and 4th grade.
 
WHO is this mystery for?
Students on the 5th grade level who are practicing these math skills: 
Whole Numbers- Power of 10 Patterns
Input Output Tables (multiplication & division)
Prime or Composite?
Round Decimals to Tenths
Missing Addend in Fraction Equations
 
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:
 
Track 1: ORIGINAL
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.
Track 2: ANALOG
Students read the mystery on a printed booklet, and they solve the clues by answering questions on printed task cards.
Track 3: DIGITAL
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 Social Studies Exploration posters, a Writing Challenge, and an integral poster about:
 
Crockett’s Coonskin Cap, Empress Xiao’s Fengguan, Kennedy’s PIllbox Hat, Lincoln’s Stovepipe Hat, &  Malala’s Hijab
 
Students will walk away from this lesson knowing these social studies concepts:
The array of headwear worn by other indigenous peoples, royalty, and presidents throughout world history
The religious reasons people choose to wear head coverings, including Christian nuns, Orthodox Jewish women, and Muslim women.
The world's oldest hat, found on a man frozen in a glacier.
and more!!
 
WHEN is it designed to be completed?
These skills are best practiced around International Hat Day, which comes on November 25th!
 
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!