The Whispering Woods Mystery
The Golden Acorn has been taken from the Sanctuary vault! Ranger Rick needs your help to track down the mischievous critter who took it. We have a list of animal suspects, but we need to solve the clues to find the real culprit.
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
| Name | Super Skill | Lucky Gear | Dominant Paw | Coat Type | Distraction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daisy | loud howl | blue collar | right pawed | spotted coat | squeaky toy |
| Jack | super sniff | red cape | left pawed | golden fur | laser pointer |
| Bear | super sniff | shiny badge | left pawed | golden fur | laser pointer |
| Milo | super sniff | warm vest | left pawed | golden fur | laser pointer |
| Leo | fast dash | shiny badge | left pawed | striped fur | laser pointer |
| Rosie | high jump | warm vest | left pawed | spotted coat | laser pointer |
| Charlie | fast dash | warm vest | left pawed | spotted coat | squeaky toy |
| Bella | super sniff | warm vest | right pawed | golden fur | laser pointer |
| Buster | high jump | red cape | left pawed | spotted coat | squeaky toy |
| Rocky | loud howl | red cape | left pawed | spotted coat | laser pointer |
| Sadie | fast dash | shiny badge | left pawed | golden fur | laser pointer |
| Luna | high jump | shiny badge | left pawed | spotted coat | peanut butter |
| Stella | loud howl | warm vest | right pawed | golden fur | peanut butter |
| Sophie | loud howl | blue collar | left pawed | golden fur | laser pointer |
| Lola | super sniff | gold bell | left pawed | golden fur | squeaky toy |
| Toby | fast dash | warm vest | right pawed | spotted coat | peanut butter |
| Chloe | fast dash | shiny badge | left pawed | golden fur | squeaky toy |
| Zeus | fast dash | warm vest | left pawed | striped fur | laser pointer |
| Nala | loud howl | red cape | right pawed | golden fur | squeaky toy |
| Bailey | loud howl | warm vest | left pawed | golden fur | squeaky toy |
| Ruby | tree climb | blue collar | left pawed | spotted coat | peanut butter |
Multiplication facts (1-12)
Ranger Rick needs to count the supply bags to plan the search. Solve this problem to unlock the first clue about the thief's gear!
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Word problems
We found rows of paw prints leading into the deep woods. Multiply the rows of prints to reveal what paw the critter uses most!
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Subtraction
Some acorns are missing from the feeding stations. Subtract the stolen acorns to find out what snack distracts this animal!
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Addition
We are collecting fur samples from the bushes. Add up the total number of tufts we found to see what kind of coat the suspect has!
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
The rescue team needs to split up into equal groups to search the muddy trails. Divide the rangers to discover the thief's super skill!
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!
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Whispering Woods Mystery
- Clue 1 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE THIEF DOES NOT WEAR A RED CAPE"2 × 11 = 22 (T) · 2 × 9 = 18 (S) · 9 × 11 = 99 (E) · 12 × 9 = 108 (I) · 8 × 8 = 64 (R) · 2 × 10 = 20 (W) · 9 × 6 = 54 (A) · 10 × 10 = 100 (C) · 11 × 12 = 132 (O) · 6 × 6 = 36 (H) · 8 × 2 = 16 (P) · 5 × 9 = 45 (F) · 5 × 5 = 25 (D) · 2 × 1 = 2 (N)
- Clue 2 (Word problems): "LEFT PAWED"Ranger Rick lined up 7 rows of 6 shiny pebbles. How many shiny pebbles in all? = 42 (L) · Ranger Rick found 27 acorns yesterday and 2 more today. How many acorns in all? = 29 (E) · Ranger Rick found 2 toy mice yesterday and 6 more today. How many toy mice in all? = 8 (F) · There were 47 toy mice. 30 were used up. How many toy mice are left? = 17 (T) · There were 77 dog treats. 33 were used up. How many dog treats are left? = 44 (W) · Ranger Rick found 26 shiny pebbles yesterday and 51 more today. How many shiny pebbles in all? = 77 (P) · There were 70 dog treats. 25 were used up. How many dog treats are left? = 45 (A)
- Clue 3 (Subtraction): "A LASER POINTER DISTRACTED THEM"4719 - 2367 = 2352 (A) · 10678 - 3574 = 7104 (O) · 6678 - 1431 = 5247 (H) · 8112 - 3525 = 4587 (S) · 8271 - 2886 = 5385 (R) · 11745 - 4375 = 7370 (C) · 10725 - 2483 = 8242 (E) · 5890 - 3328 = 2562 (T) · 8021 - 2071 = 5950 (L) · 11966 - 4702 = 7264 (P) · 8075 - 3207 = 4868 (I) · 4994 - 700 = 4294 (D) · 4720 - 3539 = 1181 (N) · 10901 - 4200 = 6701 (M)
- Clue 4 (Addition): "WE FOUND SHEDDED GOLDEN FUR"1762 + 2409 = 4171 (W) · 3141 + 2469 = 5610 (F) · 2004 + 880 = 2884 (D) · 3908 + 2192 = 6100 (L) · 2254 + 4391 = 6645 (H) · 5208 + 4305 = 9513 (O) · 4400 + 2416 = 6816 (N) · 3676 + 1815 = 5491 (E) · 3939 + 4526 = 8465 (U) · 3934 + 3995 = 7929 (G) · 2273 + 4688 = 6961 (R) · 2666 + 3276 = 5942 (S)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 4) → Sadie5 ÷ 1 = 5 · 12 ÷ 1 = 12 · 14 ÷ 7 = 2 · 21 ÷ 7 = 3 · 7 ÷ 7 = 1 · 77 ÷ 7 = 11 · 35 ÷ 5 = 7 · 90 ÷ 10 = 9 · 100 ÷ 10 = 10 · 42 ÷ 7 = 6 · 16 ÷ 2 = 8
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 4 math
- Math topics
- Multiplication, Word problems, Subtraction, Addition, Division
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Whispering Woods Mystery — set in The Whispering Woods Animal Sanctuary
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects