Description
At Luna Nova Research Station, each school day begins with a new mathematical problem. This 4th grade January math review includes 24 themed puzzles for a month of midyear practice.
Students train for duty on the Moon as they solve separate escape-room-style challenges. Both printable and digital Google Slides™ versions are included. Therefore, teachers can follow the sequence or select individual skills as needed.
Short Challenges for the School Day
The resource includes 20 regular math challenges and four bonus challenges. Most tasks take approximately 5–15 minutes. As a result, they work well for morning work, centers, bell ringers, early finishers, partner work, small groups, homework, enrichment, or spiral review.
Students decode messages, use ciphers, follow mathematical clues, complete number mazes, solve logic puzzles, identify mystery numbers, find access codes, and repair equipment.
Fourth-Grade Skills Practiced
- Multiplying one digit by numbers with up to four digits
- Two-digit by two-digit multiplication and multiplicative comparison
- Dividing up to four-digit dividends by one-digit divisors
- Division with remainders and interpreting remainders in context
- Mixed-operation and multi-step word problems
- Area, perimeter, measurement, and real-world applications
- Multi-digit addition and subtraction
- Place value, number forms, comparison, and rounding
- Factors, multiples, factor pairs, and prime and composite numbers
- Equivalent fractions and comparing fractions
- Decomposing fractions and adding or subtracting fractions with like denominators
- Measurement conversions and number patterns
The resource matches January fourth-grade rigor. However, it also works later in the year for test preparation, enrichment, extra practice, or ongoing spiral review.
A Wide Variety of Puzzle Types
Students encounter logic grids, sorting tasks, number mazes, symbol equations, matching grids, coded messages, and alphabet, Pigpen, Morse code, and Atbash ciphers. Consequently, the varied formats encourage reasoning, productive struggle, and mathematical discussion.
Printable and Digital Versions
- 20 regular escape-room-style math challenges
- Four bonus enrichment challenges
- Printable full-color and black-and-white versions
- Digital Google Slides™ version
- Luna Nova backstory letter and success page
- Cipher tools, optional visual models, and recording page
- Detailed answer key
- Quick overview of standards and solutions
The black-and-white pages conserve ink, while the color version works well for reusable task cards. Meanwhile, students can complete the Google Slides™ activities through Google Classroom™ or on individual devices.
Flexible Midyear Practice
Use one puzzle each day, assign two or three each week, or choose activities based on student needs. Finally, the four bonus challenges provide enrichment for students ready for more involved problem solving.
This resource is sold through Teachers Pay Teachers. Select the button below to view the full listing, standards, and purchasing information.
