Math Mystery Maps: Division Treasure Hunt
Created byWhitney Hamilton
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Math Mystery Maps: Division Treasure Hunt

Grade 3Math1 days
The Math Mystery Maps project immerses 3rd-grade students in a treasure hunt adventure where they solve clues using all four mathematical operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The project is designed to enhance students' problem-solving skills through multi-step word problems set in a real-world context of treasure hunting, aligning with Common Core Standards. Through activities like forming equations, using arrays, and estimating for reasonableness, students create and solve maps, deeply engaging with estimation, mental math, and visual problem representation. This experience culminates in students designing their treasure maps enriched with creative problems that foster collaboration and engagement.
Math OperationsTreasure HuntProblem-SolvingEstimationMulti-Step ProblemsCreative Representation
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design and solve a treasure map using clues that involve all four operations while applying strategies for estimation and understanding multi-step problems?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What strategies can we use to solve problems using all four operations with clues in a real-world context?
  • How can we represent problems involving all four operations visually or with equations to find unknown numbers?
  • How do estimation and mental math help in verifying our solutions to problems involving all four operations?
  • What steps are necessary to solve multi-step word problems involving all four operations?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will learn to solve 2-4 step word problems involving all four operations, applying strategies of estimation and mental math to verify reasonableness in the context of treasure maps.
  • Students will be able to represent complex problems using equations and visual diagrams, effectively finding unknown quantities within 2-4 step scenarios.
  • Students will become adept in applying multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction together to solve real-world, multi-step word problems.
  • Students will demonstrate their understanding of multi-step problem-solving by creating and interpreting treasure maps with clues requiring all four operations.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.A.3
Primary
Use multiplication and division within 100 to solve word problems in situations involving equal groups, arrays, and measurement quantities, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem.Reason: The project involves creating treasure maps which require solving division problems using real-world scenarios, aligning directly with solving word problems using division within 100.
CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.D.8
Primary
Solve two-step word problems using the four operations. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.Reason: The project requires solving multi-step problems involving division and other operations and necessitates estimation to assess reasonableness, matching the standard's focus.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Pirate Video Message

Students receive a video message from a 'real' pirate captain who has lost his way and needs their help solving problems using all four operations to navigate back to his treasure. This message excites students to assist and solve his puzzles using division, addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Treasure Hunt Challenge

As students enter the classroom, they find a mysterious treasure chest with a note. The note informs them that the classroom is now a jungle, and they must use their skills in all four operations to decode maps that will lead them to hidden treats or prizes.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Treasure Map Equation Explorers

In this activity, students will start their journey as treasure map explorers, focusing on understanding how division can help them solve clues. They will be introduced to the concept of creating equations based on word problems and practice solving these through guided examples.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce students to word problems involving division and addition to emphasize their use in real-world scenarios like treasure hunting.
2. Introduce students to simple division equations that can be derived from word problems, along with incorporating addition operations.
3. Provide examples and guide students through solving these combined equations step-by-step.
4. Have students practice solving mixed operation problems on another mock treasure map.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA set of solved division and addition equations along with a mock treasure map filled with mixed-operation clues.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.A.3 by utilizing mixed operations including division and addition to solve word problems and create equations.
Activity 2

Mystery Map Multiplication Mania

Building on division, this activity introduces students to using multiplication and subtraction to solve problems that will lead them to clues on their treasure map. Students will work on understanding arrays and their role in visually representing mixed operation problems.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review multiplication and subtraction basics and introduce arrays as a visual representation tool.
2. Have students practice creating arrays based on multiplication problems derived from their treasure map clues.
3. Guide students through interpreting and solving multiplication and subtraction problems using arrays.
4. Ask students to create their own multiplication and subtraction problems using an array and share with the class.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityVisualization of multiplication and subtraction problems using arrays on their treasure maps.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.A.3 by solving word problems through arrays, multiplication, and subtraction.
Activity 3

Operation Overlap: Full Cycle Decoder

In this activity, students will handle the integration of addition, subtraction, and division, which is crucial for their treasure map mysteries. By combining all these operations, students will create holistic equations representing multi-step word problems.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce students to multi-step problems that require addition, subtraction, and division.
2. Discuss how to determine which operations to use based on problem context.
3. Guide students through examples that require decoding by combining all included operations.
4. Ask students to write their multi-step word problem incorporating addition, subtraction, and division.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA multi-step word problem and solution using addition, subtraction, and division.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFulfills CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.D.8 by representing multi-step word problems with complex equations.
Activity 4

Complete the Map: Multi-Operation Mastery

Finally, students will bring together all operations to create and solve their treasure maps. They will use estimation and mental math to verify their solutions and ensure their directions lead correctly to the 'treasure.'

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Revisit all four operations and discuss strategies for integrating them into a single multi-operation problem.
2. Provide a sample map problem that incorporates multiple steps and all four operations.
3. Allow students to work in groups to create their treasure maps, incorporating multi-step problems involving all operations.
4. Have students exchange maps and solve each other's challenges, using estimation to verify their solution paths.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityStudent-created treasure maps that include multi-step problems involving all four operations.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCompletes the alignment with CCSS.Math.Content.3.OA.D.8 by solving multi-step problems using all four operations and estimation.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Math Treasure Map Mastery Rubric

Category 1

Problem-Solving Skills

Assessment of students' ability to use mathematical operations to solve multi-step problems within their treasure maps.
Criterion 1

Operation Application

Measures the correct application of multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction in solving problems.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates sophisticated and accurate use of all four operations in multi-step problems across diverse clues.

Proficient
3 Points

Correctly applies all four operations in most multi-step problems, showing clear understanding at the expected level.

Developing
2 Points

Applies some operations correctly in multi-step problems but struggles with others, showing partial understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to apply operations correctly, with frequent inaccuracies in problem-solving tasks.

Criterion 2

Reasonableness & Estimation

Measures the use of estimation and mental math to check the reasonableness of solutions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Consistently uses estimation and mental math effectively to verify problem solutions, showing advanced reasoning.

Proficient
3 Points

Uses estimation and mental math for most problems to verify solutions, showing dependable reasoning.

Developing
2 Points

Attempts estimation but inconsistently applies it effectively to verify solutions, showing emerging reasoning.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited use of estimation and struggles to assess reasonableness, with minimal evidence of mental math.

Category 2

Creative Representation

Assessment of creativity in representing problems through treasure maps and the clarity of their designs.
Criterion 1

Map Clarity & Creativity

Evaluates clarity and creativity in the design of treasure maps and how effectively they incorporate problem-solving clues.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates clear, highly creative, and engaging maps with clever clue design, showing exceptional understanding of concepts.

Proficient
3 Points

Designs clear maps with creatively integrated clues, demonstrating solid understanding of spatial and numerical concepts.

Developing
2 Points

Designs maps with some creative elements but lacks clarity or coherence in the integration of clues.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to create coherent or clear maps, with limited integration of problem-solving elements.

Category 3

Collaboration & Engagement

Measures students' engagement in collaborative problem-solving and their participation in group activities.
Criterion 1

Peer Interaction

Evaluates the ability to work collaboratively, actively participating in group tasks.

Exemplary
4 Points

Leads group work effectively, demonstrating strong collaboration and communication skills to achieve common goals.

Proficient
3 Points

Engages well in group activities, contributing effectively to the team, showing good communication skills.

Developing
2 Points

Participates in group work but with inconsistent contribution or communication, showing partial engagement.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited involvement or interest in collaborative tasks, hindering group progress.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on your experience with the Math Mystery Maps. What did you find most challenging about solving the treasure maps using all four operations, and how did you overcome these challenges?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about solving multi-step word problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division after completing this project?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which of the following strategies did you find most useful when verifying your solutions for the treasure map challenges?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Estimation and rounding
Drawing diagrams and arrays
Writing and solving equations
Discussing with peers
Question 4

How did creating your own treasure maps and solving your classmates' maps help you understand the importance of applying all four operations in real-world contexts?

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Optional