Case Briefing Slides Mission Briefing
Case: The Shape Scavenger
Top Secret Instructions for Grade 3 Detectives
The Mission
Shapes are hiding in plain sight! Your job is to track down Evidence Cards hidden around the classroom.
Find the Suspect Card.
Identify its characteristics.
Record findings in your Logbook.
Move silently like a pro!
Clue 1: Polygons
A Polygon must have:
Straight lines only
A closed path (no gaps)
No curved edges
These are all suspects!
Clue 2: Right Angles
The "Square Corner"
Detectives use the "Letter L" test. If a square fits perfectly in the corner, it's a 90° angle!
Square
4 Right Angles
Rectangle
4 Right Angles
Triangle
Maybe 1, maybe none!
Clue 3: Parallel Lines
Train Tracks!
Parallel lines are like best friends who never touch.
No matter how long they get, they stay the same distance apart forever.
Check the sides of your Suspect Cards for these!
Clue 4: Symmetry
FOLD TEST!
A shape has symmetry if you can fold it in half and both sides match perfectly.
Final Instructions
1. Grab your Logbook and pencil.
2. Hunt for the 10 Evidence Cards.
3. Be a silent detective—don't give away locations!
4. Check back here when the timer sounds.
GOOD LUCK, SLEUTHS!
Detective Logbook Worksheet Evidence Logbook
Classified Activity: Shape Scavenger Hunt
Case ID:
GR3-SHAPE-001
Field Investigator Name:
Date of Operation:
Mission Objective: Locate the 8 "Evidence Cards" hidden in the room. For each card, record its name and check off the forensic characteristics you observe. Use your "Square Corner" test for angles!
Suspect #1 ALPHA
Shape Name:
Polygon
Right Angle
Parallel Lines
Symmetrical
Suspect #2 BRAVO
Shape Name:
Polygon
Right Angle
Parallel Lines
Symmetrical
Suspect #3 CHARLIE
Shape Name:
Polygon
Right Angle
Parallel Lines
Symmetrical
Suspect #4 DELTA
Shape Name:
Polygon
Right Angle
Parallel Lines
Symmetrical
Suspect #5 ECHO
Shape Name:
Polygon
Right Angle
Parallel Lines
Symmetrical
Suspect #6 FOXTROT
Shape Name:
Polygon
Right Angle
Parallel Lines
Symmetrical
Suspect #7 GOLF
Shape Name:
Polygon
Right Angle
Parallel Lines
Symmetrical
Suspect #8 HOTEL
Shape Name:
Polygon
Right Angle
Parallel Lines
Symmetrical
Final Lab Analysis
Analyze your evidence logs. Which suspect was a quadrilateral with NO right angles? Write the ID and Shape Name.
Shape Suspect Cards ALPHA
Clue: 4 equal sides and 4 square corners. I have 4 lines of symmetry!
BRAVO
Clue: All 4 sides are equal length. I have 2 lines of symmetry.
CHARLIE
Clue: 4 right angles and 2 pairs of parallel sides. I am symmetrical!
DELTA
Clue: Only one pair of sides is parallel. I have 1 line of symmetry.
ECHO
Clue: I have 6 sides and 6 vertices. I have 6 lines of symmetry!
FOXTROT
Clue: Perfectly round with no vertices. I have infinite symmetry!
GOLF
Clue: 3 sides and 1 square corner. Do I have any symmetry?
HOTEL
Clue: Opposite sides are parallel and equal. Am I symmetrical?
Chief Investigator Guide Chief Investigator Guide
Teacher Resource: Shape Sleuths Answer Key
Mission Overview
Students analyze 8 shapes for specific geometric properties. Goal: Correctly identify polygons, right angles, parallel lines, and symmetry.
Teacher Briefing:
Provide "Square Corner Testers" (small paper cards) for students to verify right angles on the Evidence Cards.
Master Evidence File
ID Shape Name Polygon? Right ∠? Parallel? Symmetry? ALPHA Square Yes Yes (4) Yes (2) Yes (4) BRAVO Rhombus Yes No Yes (2) Yes (2) CHARLIE Rectangle Yes Yes (4) Yes (2) Yes (2) DELTA Trapezoid Yes No Yes (1) Yes (1) ECHO Hexagon Yes No Yes (3) Yes (6) FOXTROT Circle No No No Yes (Inf) GOLF Right Triangle Yes Yes (1) No No HOTEL Parallelogram Yes No Yes (2) No
Final Lab Analysis Key
Case Question: Which suspect was a quadrilateral with NO right angles?
Possible Suspects: Bravo (Rhombus), Delta (Trapezoid), or Hotel (Parallelogram).
