I'm really enjoying venturing into making mystery logic puzzles and am excited to share with you my latest creation this week. For this new puzzle, I've increased the difficulty by making it a 4 X 4 puzzle grid. The clues require careful reading too (and probably re-reading) to solve. 
These are handy to use when you have some time to spare but don't want to waste. I think these are a fun way to exercise the brain.

Prep

• Print and go!
  
• Save paper by laminating and using washable markers to reuse
  
• Use on a tablet with an electronic 'pen'
  
• Or just display on your Interactive White Board to try and solve as a class​

Download your free copy of this puzzle HERE! 

If you use Math Mysteries, however hate the amount of paper that is required with all of the photocopying, you may like to try this reusable idea to save paper in the long run.

A bit more prep is required at the start, but then a simple wipe and store away is required for the next time you want to use the case. 

Items needed:
- Copies of the mystery pages (story, suspect list, clue pages, and the optional declaration page). Decide how many copies of a single case you would need at a time. 
- Laminating pouches + a Laminator
- Manila 'Case File' Folders. One folder for each mystery set. 

Steps:

• Laminate all of the printed pages.
• Then store each laminated 'mystery set' into a folder file. 
• I like to print the cover page in color to stick onto the front of the folder . This step is optional. To save ink and paper, you could just label the case title on the tab.

Now your case files are ready for use!

Complete the mystery using a washable marker as in the image examples below:

Once the mystery is solved, grab a damp cloth or a bit of water on some paper towel/tissues to wipe all of the pages clean.

Let the pages dry and put back into the folder. The mystery is ready to be used again. 

While the initial prep for this requires a little bit more effort, the extra step is worth it if you are trying to save on ink and paper in the long run. 

In the sample images, I used the Math Mystery 'Case of the Super Bad Superhero.' Download this fun Math Mystery resource for FREE HERE! 

What is a Math Quest?
It begins with a story, both video hook and written versions of the story included in all quest packets. Check out a video hook intro below for 'Raiders of the Lost Egg.' The Video Hook presents the start of the story, designed to set the stage to engage your students. When the video hook ends, is when students must continue the story on the paper part of the activity beginning at 'Chapter 1.'

Access the Video Library to find and freely view all Math Quest Video Hooks. Look for the Math Quests header and click through titles underneath to view.

The rest of the story is a paper and pencil activity that continues in 'chapters.' Each chapter reveals the next part of the story, posing a math task to complete. Once the math task is complete, students may progress to the next chapter. See a sample page below from 'Redbeard's Rebellion' - Chapter 2 - 'Medium' Level Version. 

Each chapter will pose a different type of math challenge, involving one or a mix of skills. I've tried my best to set these pages up to make checking answers quick and easy for the teacher. For example, in the image above, the teacher would need to check if the student chose the correct direction. Also, the added totals for each wheel will give a better indication whether the student just 'guessed' or did the calculations correctly.
PLEASE NOTE:

• Some puzzles are 'open-ended' and will just need to be checked by the student, teacher or a partner to see if it 'works.'
• Some puzzles require a final code or 'special number' that will give you a quick indication if the calculations are correct. 
• Other pages may require a 'visual' check, such as did they color the right path on the maze, or climb the correct rocks to reach the top. I've included another sample chapter page in the image below.

(Please note that there are answer pages included with all quest packets.)

Sample Page - CHAPTER 2 EASY LEVEL from
​'ESCAPE MONSTER MANSION'

There are lots of different ways these chapters are presented to keep students interested and challenged.

The final chapter of each Math Quest will present some choices for actions to take in the story. Students make their choice and then complete the math in that section, carrying out instructions to receive a 'special number.' If they do the math correctly, the special number will match up to their ending of the story on the final page. Four alternate endings to receive! See sample below:

Final Chapter from 'The Heartless Queen' HARD LEVEL 

The 'NUMBER TOTAL' in their box chosen is a special number that they will need to use on the next page to discover their story ending. If they cannot find their special number, then they know they've made an error and must go over their calculations again. 

You would need to keep the story ending page hidden until a student has their special number ready.
Suggestion: You could hide the endings page in an envelope and ask students only to go and check once they have a special number ready.

Sample Endings page from'The Terrible Turkey Take Over.'

As you can see in the sample endings page above, there are little images paired with each paragraph. Like in a game this is the 'item' they receive upon completing the quest (image only). 

If students want to go back to achieve a different ending, you could allow that as long as they complete the math in the box for it. 

There are early finisher worksheets included with each packet. Students can continue the quest fun with these simple extra activities while waiting for others to finish. Please see a sample below from 'School Jungle Jam.'

Math quests are great to use for:

• Enrichment
• Set one chapter at a time as a math warm-up activity
• Engaging work around holiday seasons - Most of these quests have a 'holiday' theme if you wish to incorporate into a certain day. However, they are designed to be able to use any time of the year in case you miss the chance around a certain period.
• Early finishers - Set this up as a booklet for your fast finishers to work on whenever there's time to spare.
• Extra math practice with a fun twist.
• Homework/assignment
• End of the Year work that is fun but still educational

• Print, photocopy and go. (Save paper by only printing the chapter pages that require writing on). 
• You could staple all of the chapters together and give to students all at once to work on, OR only give out one chapter at a time to complete. I recommend that students must show a completed chapter before receiving the next.  
• Set the (optional) video hook to the board ready for viewing when introducing the task.
• Hide the 'endings' page in an envelope or somewhere special (optional).
• Have your answer key ready for easy checking. 

You may have noticed that I marked the sample pages with 'EASY' 'MEDIUM' and 'HARD.' That is because each Math Quest is available in three modes of difficulty. The story is the same, but the math and puzzle difficulty changes.
You can differentiate this activity in your class by giving out different levels of the same quest. 
The chapters are interchangeable, which means you can adjust the difficulty for certain chapters.  
See example below from 'Reindeer Roundup - Chapter 1.'

There is nowhere marked on a student page easy, medium, or hard. So, unless you tell them, your students won't know what level they have. The pages are 'symbol' coded so that only teachers know what the level of difficulty is. 

If you own the differentiated bundle of a math quest, you will have all the levels available for that quest ready to pick and swap as you wish. Otherwise, individual levels are available for separate purchase. 

As promised at the start of this post, I'd make a full differentiated Math Quest FREE for ONE WEEK! Don't miss out on a chance to download 'OVER THE RAINBOW' and try a Math Quest out to see if you and your students like this type of activity. All three levels are included within the differentiated packet so that you can also try 'swapping' chapters. 

Because of the leprechaun and pot of gold theme, 'Over the Rainbow' can be incorporated with a St. Patrick's Day theme. However, this is still fine to use any time of the year, especially at the end of the year. So print, copy, and there's a fun activity you can do with your class tomorrow. 

Your feedback on this resource would be appreciated.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS RESOURCE. 
Please note: After one week, the price of this product will return to $7.95

If you like this product, you may wish to bundle and save with the COMPLETE MATH QUEST BUNDLE below. All levels are included at a super discounted price.