2nd Grade Math & Second Grade Reading! Second grade math problem solving! Fall math second grade! Halloween Math Project! Project-Based Learning engaging math story problem project! Digital version included compatible with Google Slides and Google Classroom! Google Slides versions included!
 
The MISSING PUMPKIN PROBLEM math mystery-story problem project is an awesome way to keep your students engaged in math problem-solving during the Fall Season! It covers addition and subtraction within 20, within 50 and within 100 so it is accessible to many second grade student towards the beginning of the year! 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 (Google Slides link included)!
 
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 that are great for second grade 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 addition and subtraction fluency within 20 and addition/subtraction skills within 100. Both levels of this project are aligned to standards 2.OA.A.1, 2.OA.B.2 2.OA.C.4 AND 2.MD.C.7. The project is also aligned to ELA standards CCSS.ELA-LITERATURE-2.3 and ELA-LITERATURE.2.10. The levels include the following types of problems:
Level 1: addition and subtraction within 50, fluency within 20. Some regrouping included. Story problems with mostly single step result unknown with some compare and unknown addend problems.
Level 2: addition and subtraction within 100, fluency within 20. Regrouping on most problems. Mixed story problem structure with some 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 every problem 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!
 
*Missing Pumpkin Problem: Everyone in Orchard Grove was excited for the big Fall Festival! It was the Mayor's first time planning the festival and Farmer Frank was excited to showcase his prize-winning pumpkins! Everyone was especially excited for the big pumpkin carving contest! On the day of the festival, something terrible happened. All the pumpkins were missing! How could this happen? Read the alibi statements, solve math problems and read clues to solve the case of the missing pumpkins so the town of Orchard Grove can continue with their Fall Festival!
 
Note, this project is Fall themed but does not specifically mention the holiday Halloween. It can certainly be used at Halloween time, but it never mentions the actual holiday Halloween (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 fall Math Mystery!
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About the Author
Melanie Doppler--Math Coach Connection taught in a 3rd and 4th grade multi-age classroom in a Title 1 public school in Wisconsin for 3 years, 5th grade math and science for 2 years in a public school in Tennessee, and spent 2 years as a math coach. She has her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is committed to creating fun and creative products that are differentiated and aligned to the math content standards!
 
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