Spring Math Mystery 1st Grade: The Case of the Bee Bandits is a no-prep spring math review for 1st Grade students. ‘The Case of the Bee Bandits’ is a high-engagement April math activity that turns a 1st Grade review into an exciting case-solving mission.
The Bee Bandits are on the loose, and the hive’s honey is missing! Math detectives need to use a mix of different math skills to unlock the clues, track down the Bee Bandits, and save the honey.
Set the scene with the optional video hook for the Case of the Bee Bandits 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 1st Grade students and works in spring (it is a great April math activity, and it works well for Earth Day too). 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 Bee Bandits is available in 6 grade editions. The story is the same; the math is different, so you can match each group to its level:
Grades 2 and up 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 Bee Bandits is part of the 1st 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 “Bee Bandits” theme, making it the perfect April math activity. However, it’s a powerful 1st Grade math review printable that you can use any time of year!
This is a comprehensive review. Students will practice comparing numbers, missing addends to 20, 1st Grade place value (tens & ones), and ten more or less.
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.
Yes. A complete answer key is included, along with printable awards.
Yes. The Case of the Bee Bandits comes in 6 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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