🎨 DrawingGrade 1Reading: grades 1-2AdditionSubtractionSkip countingPlace valueMissing addends
The Case of the Missing Masterpiece
Oh no! Someone drew all over the art room walls and hid the gold star trophy! We must find the Sneaky Artist. Grab your sketchbooks, kids! Let us solve this mystery.
Suspects
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
21 of 21 still in play
| Name | Drawing Style | Favorite Tool | Drawing Hand | Hair Feature | Art Room Fear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marc | doodles tiny insects | uses glitter paint | right handed sketcher | pencil behind ear | sticky tape |
| Charles | draws giant monsters | uses charcoal | right handed sketcher | art beret hat | water spills |
| Henri | colors magic portals | uses gold foil | right handed sketcher | art beret hat | water spills |
| Pablo | draws giant monsters | uses charcoal | left handed sketcher | art beret hat | water spills |
| Salvador | sketches super heroes | uses neon ink | left handed sketcher | art beret hat | giant erasers |
| Beatrix | sketches super heroes | uses glitter paint | left handed sketcher | art beret hat | water spills |
| Mo | sketches super heroes | uses neon ink | left handed sketcher | paint splattered hair | sticky tape |
| Ed | paints messy splashes | uses glitter paint | left handed sketcher | art beret hat | giant erasers |
| Gene | sketches super heroes | uses charcoal | right handed sketcher | art beret hat | water spills |
| Frida | draws giant monsters | uses gold foil | right handed sketcher | pencil behind ear | giant erasers |
| Bob | doodles tiny insects | uses gold foil | left handed sketcher | pencil behind ear | sticky tape |
| Georgia | doodles tiny insects | uses neon ink | left handed sketcher | pencil behind ear | sticky tape |
| Stan | colors magic portals | uses neon ink | right handed sketcher | art beret hat | sticky tape |
| Mary | doodles tiny insects | uses gold foil | right handed sketcher | paint splattered hair | sticky tape |
| Andy | draws giant monsters | uses glitter paint | right handed sketcher | art beret hat | water spills |
| Faith | doodles tiny insects | uses charcoal | right handed sketcher | art beret hat | water spills |
| Dav | sketches super heroes | uses gold foil | right handed sketcher | art beret hat | water spills |
| Keith | colors magic portals | uses charcoal | left handed sketcher | paint splattered hair | sticky tape |
| Yoko | colors magic portals | uses glitter paint | left handed sketcher | paint splattered hair | giant erasers |
| Theodor | colors magic portals | uses gold foil | right handed sketcher | pencil behind ear | sticky tape |
| Vincent | colors magic portals | uses neon ink | right handed sketcher | paint splattered hair | water spills |
Clue 1
Addition
We found some red markers and blue markers on the floor. Let us add them together to find the first clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
5
13
18
11
4
18
6
10
20
6
8
T
5
9
11
T
5
14
7
18
11
4
7
T
5
19
11
18
3
7
17
14
12
7
9
17
1 + 4 =T
8 + 6 =D
5 + 12 =L
3 + 7 =K
1 + 2 =G
5 + 7 =F
2 + 7 =I
3 + 4 =O
7 + 4 =S
3 + 5 =R
5 + 1 =A
6 + 12 =E
4 + 9 =H
3 + 1 =N
13 + 7 =Y
12 + 7 =U
0/16 letters found
Clue 2
Subtraction
The class had a box of shiny stickers. Some stickers are missing now. Subtract them to get the next clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
19
1
13
6
7
10
10
15
7
17
16
8
15
3
11
3
7
T
19
1
T
19
1
13
8
7
14
1
T
19
1
15
17
16
20 - 1 =T
7 - 6 =H
14 - 6 =R
16 - 1 =A
20 - 6 =G
14 - 7 =I
17 - 1 =D
14 - 8 =V
16 - 3 =E
12 - 9 =W
12 - 2 =L
20 - 3 =N
14 - 3 =S
0/13 letters found
Clue 3
Skip counting
Look at the paint brushes lined up in jars. We can count them by twos to reveal a secret hair clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
20
100
90
35
18
90
42
55
45
42
33
T
20
28
35
T
20
33
24
18
35
8
33
10
65
130
42
T
20
90
33
35
16
28
26
26
35
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, ___, 22, 24T
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150W
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65K
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14O
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120H
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75M
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110E
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39R
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30L
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20P
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45S
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, ___, 27, 30U
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ___, 21, 24N
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32I
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48A
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55Y
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12F
0/17 letters found
Clue 4
Place value
We have big boxes of ten crayons and some extra single crayons. Let us use place value to find the next clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
67
30
88
43
25
88
57
31
77
57
74
T
67
85
43
T
67
91
37
43
T
67
57
25
57
74
T
67
26
88
74
88
T
67
30
57
T
67
What number has 6 tens and 7 ones?T
What number has 8 tens and 5 ones?I
What number has 3 tens and 1 one?K
What number has 5 tens and 7 ones?A
What number has 2 tens and 6 ones?B
What number has 7 tens and 7 ones?Y
What number has 9 tens and 1 one?L
What number has 7 tens and 4 ones?R
What number has 3 tens and 7 ones?O
What number has 8 tens and 8 ones?E
What number has 4 tens and 3 ones?S
What number has 3 tens and 0 ones?H
What number has 2 tens and 5 ones?N
0/13 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
We need twelve colorful chalks for our drawing but we only have eight. How many more do we need to solve the final clue.
First solve each problem. Then find each answer in the list below and cross that sentence out. One sentence will be left — that's exactly what the villain did!
Step 1 — solve these
8 + ___ = 10
7 + ___ = 15
6 + ___ = 7
3 + ___ = 9
1 + ___ = 4
3 + ___ = 12
3 + ___ = 8
4 + ___ = 11
5 + ___ = 16
10 + ___ = 22
5 + ___ = 15
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain draws a giant monster on the wall, then smudges with dark charcoal.
2.The villain doodles a tiny insect on the paper, then smudges with dark charcoal.
3.The villain sketches a super hero on the desk, then sparkles with gold foil.
4.The villain draws a giant monster on the wall, then shines with glitter paint.
5.The villain paints a messy splash on the floor, then dusts the floor with white chalk.
6.The villain draws a giant monster on the wall, then sparkles with gold foil.
7.The villain colors a magic portal on the door, then smudges with dark charcoal.
8.The villain sketches a super hero on the desk, then smudges with dark charcoal.
9.The villain paints a messy splash on the floor, then smudges with dark charcoal.
10.The villain colors a magic portal on the door, then shines with glitter paint.
11.The villain colors a magic portal on the door, then glows with neon ink.
12.The villain paints a messy splash on the floor, then glows with neon ink.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Case of the Missing Masterpiece
Culprit: Andy (draws giant monsters · uses glitter paint · right handed sketcher · art beret hat · water spills)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE SNEAKY ARTIST DOES NOT USE GOLD FOIL"1 + 4 = 5 (T) · 8 + 6 = 14 (D) · 5 + 12 = 17 (L) · 3 + 7 = 10 (K) · 1 + 2 = 3 (G) · 5 + 7 = 12 (F) · 2 + 7 = 9 (I) · 3 + 4 = 7 (O) · 7 + 4 = 11 (S) · 3 + 5 = 8 (R) · 5 + 1 = 6 (A) · 6 + 12 = 18 (E) · 4 + 9 = 13 (H) · 3 + 1 = 4 (N) · 13 + 7 = 20 (Y) · 12 + 7 = 19 (U)
- Clue 2 (Subtraction): "THE VILLAIN DRAWS WITH THE RIGHT HAND"20 - 1 = 19 (T) · 7 - 6 = 1 (H) · 14 - 6 = 8 (R) · 16 - 1 = 15 (A) · 20 - 6 = 14 (G) · 14 - 7 = 7 (I) · 17 - 1 = 16 (D) · 14 - 8 = 6 (V) · 16 - 3 = 13 (E) · 12 - 9 = 3 (W) · 12 - 2 = 10 (L) · 20 - 3 = 17 (N) · 14 - 3 = 11 (S)
- Clue 3 (Skip counting): "THE SNEAKY ARTIST RUNS FROM WATER SPILLS"Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, ___, 22, 24 = 20 (T) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (W) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65 = 55 (K) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, 12, 14 = 10 (O) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120 = 100 (H) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75 = 65 (M) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110 = 90 (E) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39 = 33 (R) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30 = 26 (L) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (P) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (S) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, ___, 27, 30 = 24 (U) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ___, 21, 24 = 18 (N) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (I) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48 = 42 (A) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55 = 45 (Y) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12 = 8 (F)
- Clue 4 (Place value): "THE SNEAKY ARTIST LOST AN ART BERET HAT"What number has 6 tens and 7 ones? = 67 (T) · What number has 8 tens and 5 ones? = 85 (I) · What number has 3 tens and 1 one? = 31 (K) · What number has 5 tens and 7 ones? = 57 (A) · What number has 2 tens and 6 ones? = 26 (B) · What number has 7 tens and 7 ones? = 77 (Y) · What number has 9 tens and 1 one? = 91 (L) · What number has 7 tens and 4 ones? = 74 (R) · What number has 3 tens and 7 ones? = 37 (O) · What number has 8 tens and 8 ones? = 88 (E) · What number has 4 tens and 3 ones? = 43 (S) · What number has 3 tens and 0 ones? = 30 (H) · What number has 2 tens and 5 ones? = 25 (N)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 4) → Andy8 + ___ = 10 = 2 · 7 + ___ = 15 = 8 · 6 + ___ = 7 = 1 · 3 + ___ = 9 = 6 · 1 + ___ = 4 = 3 · 3 + ___ = 12 = 9 · 3 + ___ = 8 = 5 · 4 + ___ = 11 = 7 · 5 + ___ = 16 = 11 · 10 + ___ = 22 = 12 · 5 + ___ = 15 = 10
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 1 math
- Math topics
- Addition, Subtraction, Skip counting, Place value, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 1-2
- Theme
- The Case of the Missing Masterpiece — set in The Sunny Valley Art Room
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects