Description

Get ready for the holidays with this Christmas Math Mystery 1st grade Activity! ‘The Case of the Selfish Elf’ is a high-engagement December math activity that turns a 1st-grade review into an exciting case-solving mission.

It’s the perfect no-prep math activity! This resource is loaded with options, including an optional video hook and a NEW ending video (with voiceovers!) to wrap up the case!

Easy Prep for Print or Digital

This resource is designed to be low-prep for you and high-engagement for your students.

• Printable PDF Version: Just print the worksheets, staple, and go.
• Google Slides Digital Version: 100% paperless! Simply assign in Google Classroom. (Students must be in ‘edit mode’ to type).

Christmas Math Mystery 1st grade Activity

To find the selfish elf, students must unlock five clues by correctly solving:

• Clue 1: Fill in missing numbers in sequences under 100
• Clue 2: Addition within 20
• Clue 3: Value of the Underlined Digit (tens and ones only in 2-digit numbers)
• Clue 4: Identifying Basic 2-D Shapes
• Clue 5: Subtraction within 20

Flexible for Any 1st Grade Classroom

Use this versatile Christmas math activity 1st grade for:

• A fun spiral review
• Math centers or stations
• Homework or enrichment
• Your “early finisher” tub
• A lifesaver for your sub-tub!

Pacing & Timing

This is a comprehensive review that can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2+ hours, depending on your students’ skill level. We recommend pacing it by one clue at a time.

Common Questions for this 1st Grade Math Review

Q: Is this just a Christmas math activity for 1st grade?
A: This mystery has a fun “Selfish Elf” theme, making it the perfect December math activity. However, it’s a powerful 1st grade math review printable that you can use any time of year!

Q: What skills does this mystery cover?
A: This is a comprehensive review. Students will practice addition and subtraction within 20, 1st grade place value (tens and ones), identifying 2D shapes, and number sequences.

Q: What exactly is a Math Mystery?
A: It’s our high-engagement, multimedia math activity! Students solve 5 clues to crack a case, all while watching fun video hooks. You can learn more about math mysteries here.

Q: How does differentiation work with these?
A: That’s our secret weapon! Many of our stories are available for other grades, so you can “clue swap” with the 2-6 grade packs. We even have a blog post explaining how: learn how to differentiate here. (Please note: The Grade 1 version cannot be ‘clue swapped’ as it’s simplified.)

Other Grade Editions Available!

Love this ‘Selfish Elf’ theme? This mystery is also available for other grade levels (great for differentiation)!

• 2nd Grade Edition
• 3rd Grade Edition
• 4th Grade Edition
• 5th Grade Edition
• 6th Grade Edition
• 7th Grade Edition 

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A complete answer key is included!