Math Mysteries: Pre-algebra Math Mysteries! 7th and 8th Grade Math

Get $5 off the first class with coupon code PINAR520255  until December 31, 2025.  Enter the coupon code at checkout!

Do you like mysteries? Do you like math, or need some support for pre-algrebra skills, such as those learned in 7th and 8th grade?  Join me as we learn pre-algebra skills and complete math mysteries. Join Collin, Owen, and Lilac, who run the school newspaper, as they search for stories to write and solve mysteries they find. This class will reinforce pre-algebra concepts, give students more practice, and encourage learners, all while focusing on solving a mystery.  Students who are math whizzes and students who need review are all welcome! Class sizes are limited to 5 students. Class ranges from 35-40 minutes.

Each class will begin with a question of the week and math related joke of the week, then we will read the case that we are working on. Cases may involve eliminating suspects or finding missing animals or people. Then I will present and model the math skill of the week. Students will work together to complete a few examples of the skill. Students are then given time to work independently or as a group to complete the math problems, which will spell out the clue for the day. Class ends with everyone sharing the clue and eliminating the suspect or marking on a map the next location for the missing animal. Most classes have 16 math practice problems to complete during independent work time. Most mysteries last 4 weeks, but students can join the class at any time. Students who join mid-mystery will be given clues that have already been discovered. At the end of the mystery, students are given a certificate for solving the case! 

Schedule of math skills and mysteries:

Percents - The 4-H Disaster 
Week of April 21 - Percents to fractions and decimals - including repeating decimals
Week of April 28 - Percentage of a quantity and reverse percentage 
Week of May 5 - Percentage increase and decrease 
Week of May 12 - Discounts and sales tax

Week of May 19 - graphing linear equations (1 week mystery)
Week of May 26 - No class, No charge

Probability - Battle of the Bands
Week of June 2 - Probability of an independent event
Week of June 9 - Probability to decimals and fractions
Week of June 16 - Probability of multiple independent events
Week of June 23 - Probability of dependent events
 
Week of June 30 and July 7 - No class, No charge

Get ready for algebra - Tails gone Astray 
Week of July 14 - Distributive property of multiplication with FOIL, multiply binomials
Week of July 21 - Pythagoreom theory
Week of July 28 - Factorials
Week of August 4 - Calculator day - scientific calculator skills


Students will be taught using a document camera, so they will be able to see the math page, teaching notes, and examples during class time. 

Please note: some classes may have extra printables, such as the suspect list or map. Classes often are 30-40 minutes long, depending on the amount of time students need to finish their work.

This class is an inclusive class and welcomes learners of all abilities, and is inclusive to students with learning disabilities, autism, anxiety, or any other learning differences. It is a small group (maximum of 5 students) to allow learners of all abilities.  During independent work time, students are able to choose to complete problems together/as a group or to complete them independently.