🔎 PoopGrade 1Reading: grades 3-4AdditionSubtractionSkip countingPlace valueMissing addends
The Mystery of the Missing Coprolite
Someone snuck into the zoo lab and swapped the rare prehistoric fossilized droppings with regular barnyard manure! Detective, solve the clues to catch the perpetrator.
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 | Tool | Prize | Dominant Hand | Headwear | Cleanup Spray |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mindy Mud | Scoop Shovel | Fertilizer Stamp | Right Handed | Yellow Hardhat | Soapy Water |
| Barnaby Brown | Scent Masker | Mud Boot | Right Handed | Brown Visor | Air Freshener |
| Rory Rinse | Plunger Blaster | Fertilizer Stamp | Right Handed | Brown Visor | Soapy Water |
| Sammy Scoop | Compost Bin | Mud Boot | Left Handed | Brown Visor | Air Freshener |
| Penny Plunger | Scent Masker | Fertilizer Stamp | Right Handed | Yellow Hardhat | Soapy Water |
| Rita Rake | Tractor Loader | Golden Dropping | Left Handed | Brown Visor | Soapy Water |
| Piper Puddle | Compost Bin | Fossilized Coprolite | Left Handed | Brown Visor | Lemon Spray |
| Tess Trash | Scoop Shovel | Golden Dropping | Left Handed | Green Bucket Hat | Air Freshener |
| Ollie Odor | Plunger Blaster | Smelly Trophy | Left Handed | Yellow Hardhat | Air Freshener |
| Pete Pipe | Scent Masker | Fertilizer Stamp | Right Handed | Brown Visor | Lemon Spray |
| Sienna Suds | Scent Masker | Fertilizer Stamp | Left Handed | Brown Visor | Air Freshener |
| Zack Zap | Compost Bin | Golden Dropping | Left Handed | Yellow Hardhat | Lemon Spray |
| Gary Grime | Plunger Blaster | Smelly Trophy | Left Handed | Green Bucket Hat | Air Freshener |
| Wally Wader | Scent Masker | Golden Dropping | Right Handed | Brown Visor | Soapy Water |
| Chloe Clean | Compost Bin | Fossilized Coprolite | Left Handed | Brown Visor | Air Freshener |
| Lulu Loam | Scent Masker | Smelly Trophy | Left Handed | Brown Visor | Air Freshener |
| Nora Neat | Scoop Shovel | Golden Dropping | Right Handed | Brown Visor | Air Freshener |
| Milo Muck | Plunger Blaster | Fossilized Coprolite | Left Handed | Brown Visor | Air Freshener |
| Daisy Dung | Tractor Loader | Golden Dropping | Left Handed | Yellow Hardhat | Soapy Water |
| Bruno Boot | Scent Masker | Mud Boot | Left Handed | Brown Visor | Air Freshener |
| Hank Hose | Plunger Blaster | Mud Boot | Right Handed | Yellow Hardhat | Air Freshener |
Clue 1
Addition
We counted the total piles of zoo compost to find our first hint.
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
11
3
13
20
8
20
7
13
12
T
11
16
14
13
20
2
14
T
11
3
4
9
13
19
14
20
20
15
6
15
17
13
16
12
14
7
10
14
6
15
T
11
13
7 + 4 =T
2 + 6 =U
6 + 11 =Z
7 + 13 =S
1 + 2 =H
4 + 3 =P
4 + 10 =O
1 + 1 =N
9 + 6 =I
9 + 10 =F
2 + 7 =V
3 + 1 =A
8 + 8 =D
6 + 6 =C
3 + 3 =L
4 + 6 =R
9 + 4 =E
0/17 letters found
Clue 2
Subtraction
We took away the cleaned cages to see how many remained dirty.
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
16
5
8
13
14
13
9
8
4
T
16
5
8
15
19
T
16
5
8
13
4
10
10
9
8
7
6
2
T
16
5
15
8
3
T
16
5
18
11
19
18 - 2 =T
12 - 6 =W
14 - 6 =E
16 - 1 =L
13 - 2 =N
19 - 1 =A
6 - 3 =F
15 - 5 =O
15 - 1 =U
20 - 1 =D
11 - 6 =H
16 - 7 =P
12 - 8 =C
18 - 5 =S
8 - 1 =R
5 - 3 =I
0/16 letters found
Clue 3
Skip counting
We counted the sacks of fertilizer by fives along the row.
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
110
36
28
18
55
21
21
130
55
14
39
130
14
130
15
130
90
25
39
16
24
130
55
39
25
39
28
6
36
28
14
28
39
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130T
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150A
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10S
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ___, 21, 24V
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27L
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28M
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32E
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25W
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45R
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42H
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65I
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20O
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110Y
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18N
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35F
0/15 letters found
Clue 4
Place value
The digital scale showed tens and ones of total dung weight.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
A
41
74
90
27
34
86
75
92
44
27
90
44
52
90
A
41
23
34
A
41
44
80
61
85
52
27
86
52
87
61
12
90
27
49
86
31
What number has 4 tens and 1 one?A
What number has 9 tens and 0 ones?R
What number has 2 tens and 3 ones?P
What number has 3 tens and 1 one?D
What number has 8 tens and 5 ones?F
What number has 8 tens and 7 ones?H
What number has 2 tens and 7 ones?O
What number has 9 tens and 2 ones?I
What number has 3 tens and 4 ones?W
What number has 8 tens and 6 ones?N
What number has 4 tens and 9 ones?U
What number has 5 tens and 2 ones?T
What number has 7 tens and 5 ones?V
What number has 6 tens and 1 one?E
What number has 8 tens and 0 ones?L
What number has 7 tens and 4 ones?B
What number has 4 tens and 4 ones?S
What number has 1 ten and 2 ones?G
0/18 letters found
Clue 5
Missing addends — the last clue
We knew how much manure fit in the cart and solved what was missing.
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
2 + ___ = 9
3 + ___ = 12
3 + ___ = 6
10 + ___ = 14
10 + ___ = 21
5 + ___ = 11
9 + ___ = 17
8 + ___ = 18
6 + ___ = 11
3 + ___ = 15
10 + ___ = 12
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain dumped the compost load, then kicked the mud boot.
2.The villain blasted the clogged pipe, then swiped the fossilized coprolite.
3.The villain sprayed the scent blocker, then stamped the fertilizer bag.
4.The villain blasted the clogged pipe, then stamped the fertilizer bag.
5.The villain dumped the compost load, then snagged the golden dropping.
6.The villain sprayed the scent blocker, then snagged the golden dropping.
7.The villain sprayed the scent blocker, then grabbed the smelly trophy.
8.The villain drove the loader truck, then snagged the golden dropping.
9.The villain sprayed the scent blocker, then kicked the mud boot.
10.The villain scooped the smelly mess, then snagged the golden dropping.
11.The villain drove the loader truck, then grabbed the smelly trophy.
12.The villain blasted the clogged pipe, then grabbed the smelly trophy.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Mystery of the Missing Coprolite
Culprit: Sammy Scoop (Compost Bin · Mud Boot · Left Handed · Brown Visor · Air Freshener)
- Clue 1 (Addition): "THE SUSPECT DOES NOT HAVE FOSSILIZED COPROLITE"7 + 4 = 11 (T) · 2 + 6 = 8 (U) · 6 + 11 = 17 (Z) · 7 + 13 = 20 (S) · 1 + 2 = 3 (H) · 4 + 3 = 7 (P) · 4 + 10 = 14 (O) · 1 + 1 = 2 (N) · 9 + 6 = 15 (I) · 9 + 10 = 19 (F) · 2 + 7 = 9 (V) · 3 + 1 = 4 (A) · 8 + 8 = 16 (D) · 6 + 6 = 12 (C) · 3 + 3 = 6 (L) · 4 + 6 = 10 (R) · 9 + 4 = 13 (E)
- Clue 2 (Subtraction): "THE SUSPECT HELD THE SCOOPER WITH LEFT HAND"18 - 2 = 16 (T) · 12 - 6 = 6 (W) · 14 - 6 = 8 (E) · 16 - 1 = 15 (L) · 13 - 2 = 11 (N) · 19 - 1 = 18 (A) · 6 - 3 = 3 (F) · 15 - 5 = 10 (O) · 15 - 1 = 14 (U) · 20 - 1 = 19 (D) · 11 - 6 = 5 (H) · 16 - 7 = 9 (P) · 12 - 8 = 4 (C) · 18 - 5 = 13 (S) · 8 - 1 = 7 (R) · 5 - 3 = 2 (I)
- Clue 3 (Skip counting): "THE VILLAIN RAN AWAY FROM AIR FRESHENER"Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130 = 110 (T) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, ___, 140, 150 = 130 (A) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (S) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ___, 21, 24 = 18 (V) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27 = 21 (L) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28 = 24 (M) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (E) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, ___, 20, 25 = 15 (W) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45 = 39 (R) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (H) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, ___, 60, 65 = 55 (I) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (O) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110 = 90 (Y) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18 = 14 (N) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (F)
- Clue 4 (Place value): "A BROWN VISOR STRAP WAS LEFT ON THE GROUND"What number has 4 tens and 1 one? = 41 (A) · What number has 9 tens and 0 ones? = 90 (R) · What number has 2 tens and 3 ones? = 23 (P) · What number has 3 tens and 1 one? = 31 (D) · What number has 8 tens and 5 ones? = 85 (F) · What number has 8 tens and 7 ones? = 87 (H) · What number has 2 tens and 7 ones? = 27 (O) · What number has 9 tens and 2 ones? = 92 (I) · What number has 3 tens and 4 ones? = 34 (W) · What number has 8 tens and 6 ones? = 86 (N) · What number has 4 tens and 9 ones? = 49 (U) · What number has 5 tens and 2 ones? = 52 (T) · What number has 7 tens and 5 ones? = 75 (V) · What number has 6 tens and 1 one? = 61 (E) · What number has 8 tens and 0 ones? = 80 (L) · What number has 7 tens and 4 ones? = 74 (B) · What number has 4 tens and 4 ones? = 44 (S) · What number has 1 ten and 2 ones? = 12 (G)
- Clue 5 (Missing addends): surviving statement (box 1) → Sammy Scoop2 + ___ = 9 = 7 · 3 + ___ = 12 = 9 · 3 + ___ = 6 = 3 · 10 + ___ = 14 = 4 · 10 + ___ = 21 = 11 · 5 + ___ = 11 = 6 · 9 + ___ = 17 = 8 · 8 + ___ = 18 = 10 · 6 + ___ = 11 = 5 · 3 + ___ = 15 = 12 · 10 + ___ = 12 = 2
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 1 math
- Math topics
- Addition, Subtraction, Skip counting, Place value, Missing addends
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Mystery of the Missing Coprolite — set in Muddypaws Safari Zoo
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects