Halloween Math Mystery 2nd Grade: The Case of the Tricking Treat is a no-prep Halloween math review for 2nd Grade students. Get ready for Halloween with this Halloween math activity 2nd Grade: ‘The Case of the Tricking Treat’ is a high-engagement October math activity that turns a challenging 2nd Grade review into an exciting case-solving mission. It’s the perfect no-prep math activity, with an optional video hook to set the stage.
Someone has taken Larry the Wizard’s magic treats and given them to the children of Mathhattan! These treats were not meant to be eaten, and all the children have turned into PUMPKINS! Larry needs your students’ help to find out who took the treats and which batch was used, so that he can make a cure to turn the children back. Whatever you do… don’t eat any pumpkins!
Set the scene with the optional video hook for the Case of the Tricking Treat on your whiteboard or screen, then wrap up the case with the ending video. Students solve the math worksheets to unlock clues and eliminate possibilities after each clue to crack the case.
There are five clues to crack to solve the mystery:
Students must use critical thinking skills to work out what each clue is telling them to eliminate from the list of possibilities.
Easy prep: Print the student pages, staple or place them in a folder, and your students are ready to start. Or assign the digital version for a paperless option.
This edition is written for 2nd Grade students and works in October and the lead-up to Halloween, or any time of year as a spiral review. Use it for:
Pacing and Timing: Time to complete will vary anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours or more. It mainly depends on how familiar your students are with the math mystery format, and how difficult they find the math skills covered in the clues. Please check the skills above to help determine suitability for your class.
I recommend pacing this activity by giving students one clue at a time. Once the whole class has completed a clue, move on to the next clue, either within the same lesson or in the next math session. New math content presented? Make a lesson out of it by modeling the math before diving into the clue. I like to say, “We must learn something new before attempting the next clue.”
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The Case of the Tricking Treat is available in 8 grade editions. The story is the same; the math is different, so you can match each group to its level:
The 2nd-8th Grade editions can “clue swap” between editions to differentiate within one class. Grade 1 Math Mysteries are formatted for early learners and cannot be clue-swapped with the other grade versions. Read more: How to differentiate using Math Mysteries.
Looking for more? The Case of the Tricking Treat is part of the 2nd Grade Math Mystery Bundle, if you’d like a full set of resources in one place.
Not sure what a math mystery is? Read What is a Math Mystery? on my blog, or watch a short video about Math Mysteries.
Add extra motivation with the free Detective Rank Chart and Mystery Record. New to math mysteries? Try the free Case of the Super Bad Superhero first.
This mystery has a fun “Tricking Treat” theme, making it the perfect October math activity. However, it’s a powerful 2nd Grade math review printable that you can use any time of year!
This is a comprehensive review. Students will practice addition and subtraction within 20, telling time to the half-hour, ordering numbers, and place value.
Most of my mysteries are designed to take approximately 40-60 minutes. This can vary depending on whether students work individually or in pairs. Many teachers also love using them as a “Friday Fun” activity or breaking them up over two shorter sessions.
I know how busy you are, so I keep it “Print & Go.” There is no cutting, laminating, or complex setup required. Just print the clue pages and the opening story, and you are ready to start the investigation!
Yes. A complete answer key is included, along with printable awards.
Yes. The Case of the Tricking Treat comes in 8 grade editions with the same story and different math, so you can match the edition to your students.
Technical issues? See my Troubleshooting Tips and FAQ page, or email me at jjresourcecreations@gmail.com.
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Thank you!
Jacqui J.
Mrs. J’s Resource Creations
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