Quadrilaterals and Partitioning Shapes
Mystery Detective · Grades 3–5
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Inside the case file
This quadrilaterals pack for 3rd grade covers both geometry standards, classifying quadrilaterals and partitioning shapes, in ten CSI Mini Mystery Detective case files, math worksheets with a stained glass theme. Students sort squares, rectangles and rhombuses, spot the 2D shapes that aren't quadrilaterals at all, and split shapes into equal parts. It's 3.G.A.1 and 3.G.A.2 practice for math centers, morning work or homework. Early finishers can pick up a case too. There's no prep, and you get an answer key for every case.
Every shape is drawn on a dot grid. Students count the dots to compare side lengths and check for square corners with the corner of an index card, which keeps their classifying quadrilaterals work careful and concrete. They read a clue like "a rhombus, not a square", find the one shape that fits, and cross off the suspect with that number. They're checking their own answers as they go, and the last suspect left is the villain.
What's Inside
- 10 one-page cases with 20 clues each, 200 clues in all
- An answer key for every case
- Numbered shapes on dot grids, including tilted squares and rectangles
- A reference page on quadrilaterals, square corners, rectangles and squares, rhombuses, shapes in more than one group, and equal parts
- Teacher instructions, a contents page, a case log and a Shape Detective certificate
- 30 pages. It all prints in black and white
The Cases
- The Shattered Rose Window - quadrilateral or not
- The Stolen Glass Cutter - squares and rectangles
- The Fake Museum Window - finding the rhombuses
- The Midnight Kiln - sides and square corners
- The Missing Pattern Book - shapes in more than one group
- The Twisted Tower Window - tilted and turned shapes
- The Uneven Panes - equal parts or not
- The Secret Message - naming the unit fraction
- The Painted Panes - shaded parts and unit fractions
- The Grand Reopening - mixed review of both skills
When to Use This Resource
The first six cases are about quadrilaterals. Case 1 has students pick out the quadrilaterals from triangles, pentagons, hexagons and shapes whose sides don't close up. Squares, rectangles and rhombuses come next, one at a time. In Case 5 students find shapes that belong to more than one group, along with quadrilaterals that aren't rectangles, rhombuses or squares. Case 6 turns the shapes on the grid. Cases 7 to 9 are on partitioning shapes into halves, thirds, fourths, sixths and eighths, with every fraction written in words, and Case 10 brings both skills together. Use a case with a small group, keep a few for bell ringers or sub days, or save the last one for test prep. It also suits homeschool.
Grade Levels
Written for 3rd grade (3.G.A.1 and 3.G.A.2). 4th grade classes can use it to review shape names and equal parts before classifying shapes by their lines and angles in 4.G.A.2.
Why Teachers Love Mystery Detectives
Every Mystery Detective pack works the same way. Once your class has solved one case, they know what to do with the next one, in this pack or any other. Each case also stands on its own, which means you can choose the one that fits what you're teaching that day. Naming the villain gives every page a clear end point, and the answer key lets you check a page quickly.
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