MYSTERY NUMBER
- a game of place values and number sense -
Have you ever wondered how you could HONE your student's understanding of place values, in a THRILLING and ENERGIZED way? Every wonder how you could ENHANCE student mindset with number sense? ESPECIALLY at an older age/grade level - in a way they ENJOY, that doesn't feel like pulling teeth?
These questions were the exact ones I asked myself, before the birthing of
MYSTERY NUMBER -- a game of place values and number sense!
So what is the concept? How does Mystery Number work... ?
Quite literally, I had the idea while watching an episode of NCIS while home visiting my mother one weekend. I have ALWAYS been one who has been intrigued, and hooked by solving a 'mystery'! In fact, I drive my family and friends BATTY, because within the first five minutes of a crime show, mystery movie, or 'whodoneit' -- I can tell you the EXACT perpetrator, weapon, or evidence that solves the case, or answers to the looming question. It's rather uncanny, and perhaps points to another missed calling in life of being a detective... (but oh how helpful to have this sixth sense in the classroom!)
As I watched the mystery show with my mother, I brainstormed on HOW to bring that same THRILL and PROBLEM SOLVING to our math class. At the time, we were working on place values with decimals (tenths, hundredths, and thousandths place).
And then -- it hit me!
I stewed on the idea for the next couple days, then, one night I stayed after school and completely WRECKED our classroom...
That's right! I threw 'caution tape to the wind' (lol, the puns are never in short supply here), and made our classroom a CRIME SCENE!
I greeted my students at the door, in full costume, and warned them,
"BEWARE! THOSE WITH WEAK STOMACH'S MAY WANT TO ADVERT THEIR EYES! Something DEVASTATING has happened in our classroom! The evil villain, MYSTERY NUMBER, has come into our room and WRECKED it! He has left little 'finger prints' around the room, to let us know he was here! His only calling card he left behind? Blank. Place Values. and Four. Clues. We must solve for the mystery number he has left behind, in order to stop him... Do you dare enter?"
At this point students enter the classroom to a HORRIFIC scene...
NUMBERS SCATTERED.
PENCIL SHAVINGS SPLATERED.
PENCILS SNAPPED.
CAUTION TAPE STREWN.
PAPERS RIPPED APART.
FAST PACED CRIME MUSIC IS BLARING IN THE BACKGROUND.
POLICE CAR BACKGROUND ON THE SMARTBOARD.
The excitement is contagious, and the buzz is enticing to even those who pass by in the hallway, CRANING their necks to get a peek inside.
From there, when it is time for Math Core or Math Interventions, (depending on when you plan on using Mystery Number), I group students into small groups (3 - 4 students per team), and give them each a Mystery Number Recording Sheet (attached at the bottom, for print off). I then 'dub' each team and agency name; CSI, CIA, FBI, etc.
At this point, students use the four clues on the main class white board, to solve from the mystery number I have already predetermined (and have written on a sticky note, hidden on my desk). THE FOUR CLUES SHOULD EACH POINT TO WHAT VALUE GOES IN EACH PLACE VALUE! It is important to make sure EACH place value has an indicator so that students can solve! I also make sure to use KEY WORDS in rotation with Mystery Number clues, to enhance student number sense, as WELL as math terminology such as;
- less/greater
- odd/even
- prime
- half / double / triple / etc.
- multiple
- sum / difference / product / quotient
- digit / value
- etc.
The first time I introduce Mystery Number, I give students 'unlimited tries' to completely solve for the missing number. After a few rounds, however, through out the school year, students are given 3 chances to solve (there is a 'strike' counter on the actual Mystery Number recording sheet for you to indicate this to students). As students bring me (Chief Bush), their guesses, I indicate correct and incorrect digits with check marks or x's under each digit. This helps students know where they were using the clues CORRECTLY and where they need to reevaluate. I reward correct guesses/solving with classroom cash, time on Prodigy, or with time to pick an activity of their own, but you can adapt your reward system to whatever best fits your classroom, as well!
All in all, Mystery Number has NEVER stopped generating buzz or excitement in our classroom! There is a sense of 'rush and urgency' to solve correctly first, and it adds an element of 'play' that student's don't always get in instruction or independent work!
Below I have attached video and photos of our experience! For any further questions or comments -- feel free to hop over to the CONTACT page of the website - and shoot me an email!
HAPPY SOLVING!
TIME:
30 min. approx.
SUPPLIES:
- Lined Notebook Paper or Mystery Number Recording Sheet (1 sheet per team)
- White Board & Markers
- Sticky Note
- Pencils (for students)
- Timer
MYSTERY NUMBER RECORDING SHEET:
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