Fractions Review CSI Mystery Worksheets

Inside the case file

4th grade and 5th grade adding and subtracting fractions, with comparing and simplifying built in, are the CSI math worksheets behind this CSI Mystery Detective case for January. Fractions at War is a mystery that starts with a sports team splitting in half and ends with the whole class fighting over stationery, and your students must find the culprit. Each correct answer knocks a suspect out of the line-up, so accurate fraction practice is the only way through, and the case runs like an escape room on paper, no setup required. Students check worked problems for errors, compare, add along a path and simplify to unlock the final key. Answer keys included, color and black-and-white.

The Case: Fractions at War

It started innocently enough. A sports team split itself in half to make two smaller teams, which everybody agreed was sensible. Then the class started sharing out stationery. Then the sharing got competitive, and then it got out of hand, and now the fractions are fighting each other. Your students need to identify the one fraction that started all of it.

What's Inside

• Checking worked fraction problems for errors and tallying which are correct
• Comparing fractions and circling the largest to solve the next clue
• Adding fractions along a path where the final answer settles the clue
• Matching uncommon fractions to their proper form
• Simplifying fractions to build the key that unlocks the last puzzle
• Full color and black-and-white versions of every page
• Answer keys for the whole case

What Is a CSI Mystery Detective Case?

Strip a math escape room of its locks, its app and its batteries, and what is left is a CSI Mystery Detective case. The class gets a crime, a line-up and a page of math worksheets, and correct answers are the only thing that removes anybody from the list. Because of that it cannot be half-done the way a practice page can - the case simply will not close on wrong arithmetic. It is a math activity for a whole lesson, and it doubles as detective activities in math centers.

When to Use This Resource

• Fraction review before or after a unit test
• Back-to-school weeks and end of year review
• Math centers, early finishers and independent work
• Emergency sub plans that run themselves
• Whole-class detective sessions, small groups or partner work

Grade Levels

Built for 4th grade and 5th grade. Fourth graders usually pair up on the simplifying page; fifth graders run the whole case independently inside a lesson. It also gives 6th grade students who need a fractions refresher something with a point to it.

Why Teachers Love CSI Mystery Detective Cases

• Zero prep - print and hand out
• Self-checking by design, because a wrong answer breaks the deduction
• Fraction practice students will actually finish
• Works as a whole lesson, a center, or a filler for an awkward afternoon

Love this resource?

Follow Kiwiland Education for new detective cases, seasonal math activities and updates on discounts and new releases.

Follow Kiwiland Education on TPT ↗