Task your students with using different addition strategies to solve the case with this engaging detective activity.
Using Mental Addition Strategies to Solve the Case
Are you looking for an engaging and exciting way to teach addition strategies in your classroom? This maths investigation turns learning into a mystery your students will be eager to solve.
A bank has been broken into, and a large sum of money is missing! It’s up to you to use your mental addition strategies to uncover clues, eliminate suspects and crack the case.
Transform your classroom into a detective studio as students become addition detectives. With their own suspect wall and a case full of clues, students will be challenged to apply a range of addition strategies to solve a very suspicious crime.
Addition Detectives to the Rescue
The Addition Detectives PowerPoint includes 43 engaging slides, all styled as a detective story to capture students’ attention from the very first slide.
This presentation guides students through a series of seven mini investigations, each focusing on a different mental addition strategy. Every investigation includes:
- A clear example of the strategy
- A problem to solve
- The correct answer
- A suspect revealed
The addition strategies covered include:
- Concrete materials
- Bridging to ten
- Jump strategy
- Number boards
- Split strategy
- Linking addition and subtraction
- Compensation strategy
The investigation concludes with a final set of questions that help students identify the innocent suspects and reveal the true criminal.
Download and Go
You’re just one click away from an engaging and ready‑to‑use addition strategies activity. Use the drop‑down arrow on the Download button to access all 3 components you’ll need for this activity:
- PowerPoint investigation
- practice worksheet
- Suspect Board Display.
Set up the suspect board display prior to starting the activity.
More Great Addition Strategy Resources
To explore addition strategies in greater detail, take a look at the following teaching resources:
teaching resource
Bridging to Ten PowerPoint
A 14-slide PowerPoint that uses engaging animations to step students through the 'bridging to ten' addition strategy.
teaching resource
Addition on a Number Line - Jump Strategy Slide Deck
Model adding two-digit numbers with regrouping using a number line and the jump strategy with a handy instructional slide deck.
teaching resource
Split Strategy Teaching PowerPoint
Learn all about the split strategy with this teaching PowerPoint.
This is awesome! Kids love it! Is there a Subtraction Detectives?
Hi Julie Thank you so much for your lovely comment! We're so glad your students are enjoying the resource. At this stage we don't have a Subtraction Detectives resource. Please feel free to make this suggestion at our 'Suggest a Resource' page. https://www.teachstarter.com/au/suggest-a-resource/
I love this! I am a bit confused as there are two Suspect 4's but only one with an identity. Have I missed something??
Hi Gaynor, Great to hear that you are enjoying the Addition Detectives PowerPoint! There should only be one Suspect 4 section. It focuses on using a hundreds chart when adding numbers. I have checked the current download and it is all correct. I'd suggest re-downloading the resource. If you wish, send an email to [email protected] and we will be more than happy to help you figure out what is happening with Suspect 4!