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lenny

Boo! It's Math Time

kim christopher

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Halloween Math Mysteries

Engage 4th Grade students in solving Halloween-themed arithmetic and logic puzzles while developing critical thinking through fun, spooky contexts.

This lesson turns math into an exciting mystery, helping students apply arithmetic skills in creative problem-solving scenarios and boosting their confidence in math.

Audience

4th Grade Class

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Interactive, hands-on spooky challenges.

Materials

Halloween Math Mysteries, Spooky Math Challenges, Ghoul Graphs and Bat Fractions, Pumpkin Patch Math Race, and Monster Math Quiz

Prep

Preparation and Material Review

10 minutes

  • Review the Halloween Math Mysteries lesson plan for overall structure.
  • Familiarize yourself with each material: Spooky Math Challenges, Ghoul Graphs and Bat Fractions, Pumpkin Patch Math Race, and Monster Math Quiz.
  • Ensure all digital materials are accessible and test interactive components before the lesson.

Step 1

Introduction & Theme Setting

10 minutes

  • Introduce the Halloween theme and the mystery storyline.
  • Explain that students will solve math problems to unravel spooky clues.
  • Connect the problems to real-world math concepts.

Step 2

Guided Activity: Math Mysteries

20 minutes

  • Work through selected problems from Halloween Math Mysteries.
  • Facilitate group discussion and problem-solving techniques.
  • Encourage students to use reasoning and teamwork.

Step 3

Interactive Challenges

10 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups for hands-on activities.
  • Rotate through stations featuring Spooky Math Challenges, Ghoul Graphs and Bat Fractions, and Pumpkin Patch Math Race.
  • Monitor progress and provide hints as needed.

Step 4

Wrap-up and Quiz

10 minutes

  • Conclude with the Monster Math Quiz to assess understanding.
  • Review key math concepts covered during the lesson.
  • Invite students to share their favorite spooky math problem.
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Slide Deck

Spooky Math Challenges

Welcome to the world of spooky math mysteries! Get ready to solve eerie arithmetic puzzles and unravel logical clues.

Introduce the slide deck by setting the tone for an exciting session. Mention that the challenges will test arithmetic skills with a fun, spooky twist.

The Mystery Begins

Every problem solved brings you one step closer to unveiling a hidden Halloween secret. Work in teams and use all your math skills!

Explain the challenge theme and how each problem is part of an interactive mystery scenario that the students need to solve.

Challenge Station 1: Arithmetic Cryptogram

Decode the cryptogram where numbers replace letters. Solve the equations to reveal a spooky phrase!

Guide the students through the first interactive challenge, making sure to highlight key arithmetic operations needed.

Challenge Station 2: Logic Labyrinth

Navigate the maze of logical puzzles. Find the pattern, follow the clues, and reach the treasure at the end of the labyrinth!

Introduce the logical puzzle and encourage students to think critically about the hidden patterns and clues.

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Worksheet

Ghoul Graphs and Bat Fractions Worksheet

Welcome to the Ghoul Graphs and Bat Fractions worksheet! In this activity, you will work with spooky graphs and solve fraction problems with a Halloween twist. Read each question carefully and use your math skills to find the answers.





Part 1: Ghoul Graphs

Below is a bar graph representing the number of ghosts seen in different haunted houses. Imagine each bar represents a haunted house. Answer the questions that follow.





(Imagine a bar graph with houses labeled A, B, C, and D with ghost counts as follows: A = 4, B = 7, C = 5, D = 9. You may sketch a rough graph if needed.)





  1. Which haunted house has the most ghosts?





  2. How many more ghosts does the house with the most ghosts have compared to the house with the fewest ghosts?





  3. What is the total number of ghosts seen in all the houses combined?





Part 2: Bat Fractions

Bats are flying everywhere during Halloween! Solve the following fraction problems based on the scenarios below.





  1. A bat colony in a cave has 24 bats. If 1/3 of the bats leave the cave to trick-or-treat, how many bats leave?





  2. During a spooky night, 3/4 of the bats decide to form a flying formation. If there are 32 bats, how many bats are in the formation?





  3. A witch flies on her broom with a pet bat. If the bat represents 1/8 of the total characters in the story, how many characters are there if there is only one bat?





Bonus Challenge: Haunted Fractions

Imagine a haunted house where 1/2 of the rooms have cobwebs and each cobwebbed room has 5 spiders. If there are 12 rooms in total:

  • What fraction of the total rooms has cobwebs?





  • How many rooms have spiders?





  • How many spiders are there in total?





Use your best math skills and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you get stuck. Happy haunting and happy math-ing!

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Game

Pumpkin Patch Math Race

Welcome to the Pumpkin Patch Math Race! In this fast-paced game, you'll compete in teams to solve pumpkin-themed arithmetic puzzles. Get ready to race through the pumpkin patch with your math skills and teamwork!

Game Overview

  • Theme: Halloween Pumpkin Patch
  • Objective: Solve math problems as quickly as possible to win the race and earn the title of Pumpkin Patch Champion!
  • Focus: Quick thinking, arithmetic skills, and teamwork




Game Setup and Instructions

  1. Divide into Teams: Split the class into small groups of 3-4 students.

  2. Pumpkin Stations: Each team starts at a designated pumpkin station. Every station has a set of Halloween-themed math problems. For example:

    • Problem 1: "There are 50 pumpkins in the patch. If each team collects 5 pumpkins from each row, how many rows are there?"
    • Problem 2: "A spooky scarecrow guards the patch. If it takes 3 steps to walk past one row of pumpkins and 5 rows are in the patch, how many steps do you need to take?"
  3. Race Against Time: Teams have a limited time (e.g., 3 minutes) to solve the problems at each station. Use a timer to keep track!

  4. Rotation: Once a team solves the problems, they rotate to the next station. Each station has different problems to solve.

  5. Final Challenge: At the end of the race, teams come together for a quick-fire round of rapid math questions posted on a big game board. The team that correctly answers the most questions wins!







Tips for Success

  • Work Together: Collaborate within your team. Share ideas and solve problems together.
  • Double-Check: Always take a moment to verify your answers before racing to the next station.
  • Stay Calm: Even if you're racing against the clock, clear thinking leads to the best results!












Good luck, and may the smartest team win the Pumpkin Patch Math Race! Enjoy the spooky fun and boost your math skills this Halloween!

lenny
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Quiz

Monster Math Quiz

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