Starting Clues Slides Digit Detectives: Case 1
Grade 1 Math
Starting at Zero!
Can you spot the clues for numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3?
0
Zero
1
One
2
Two
3
Three
CLUE 0
Meet Number Zero
Word: ZERO
0
"Round and round and round you go, that is how you make a zero!"
What does 0 mean?
Zero means none ! An empty nest, an empty frame, or no items at all.
Ten-Frame Check:
Zero dots in the frame!
Show me zero fingers in the air!
CLUE 1
Meet Number One
Word: ONE
1
"Come right down and in a line, that makes number one look fine!"
What does 1 look like?
Exactly one single object ! One sun in our sky, one nose on your face.
Ten-Frame Check:
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Exactly 1 dot in the first box!
Draw the number 1 in the sky with your detective finger!
CLUE 2
Meet Number Two
Word: TWO
2
"Around and back on the railroad track: Two, two, two!"
A pair of clues!
Two eyes to see, two shoes for your feet, two detective magnifying glasses.
Ten-Frame Check:
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2 dots fill the top row!
Tap your knees 2 times together! 1... 2!
CLUE 3
Meet Number Three
Word: THREE
3
"Around the tree and around the tree, that is how we make a three!"
Three in a trio!
Three wheels on a tricycle, three sides on a triangle, three clues found.
Ten-Frame Check:
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3 dots in a line on top!
Clap your hands 3 times: 1... 2... 3!
CHALLENGE
Spot the Clue!
Case Investigation
Clue A
🔍 🔍
How many glasses?
1 2 3
Clue B
(Empty Box)
How many stars?
0 1 2
Clue C
👣 👣 👣
How many footprints?
1 2 3
Ready for paper detective work? Grab your pencil!
Starting Clues Worksheet Starting Clues Worksheet
Digit Detectives • Mission 1: Numbers 0 to 3
Page 1 of 2
Case #0123
Detective Name:
Date:
Score: / 10
1
Detective Hunt: Circle the Target Number
Look carefully across each clue row. Circle every number that matches the target badge!
0
0 8 0 6 0 9 0
1
1 7 1 4 1 1 7
2
5 2 3 2 2 5 2
3
3 8 3 3 2 3 8
2
Count the Clues: Draw a Line to the Numeral
Count the items in each evidence box. Draw a straight line to its matching number.
Box A: 🔍 🔍
Box B: (Empty - No Items)
Box C: 👣 👣 👣
Box D: 🔦
0 Zero
1 One
2 Two
3 Three
Digit Detectives Foundational Series Turn page for Ten-Frames and Writing! ➔
Frames & Numeral Writing
Digit Detectives • Mission 1: Numbers 0 to 3
Page 2 of 2
Case #0123
3
Ten-Frame Secret Codes
Count the dots inside each ten-frame. Write the correct number in the blank clue badge.
Clue A
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Number
Clue B
Number
Clue C
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Number
Clue D
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Number
4
Detective Handwriting Vault
Practice writing each digit clearly inside the blank evidence boxes.
0 zero
1 one
2 two
3 three
Detective Badge Verification
Teacher verifies neat formation and accurate 0–3 identification.
Badge Stamp
Starting Clues Teacher Guide Starting Clues Teacher Guide
Lesson 1: Zero through Three (Pacing & Routine Guide)
Grade 1 Math
Duration: 30–35 min
Learning Targets
Instantly name numerals 0, 1, 2, and 3 when displayed randomly.
Connect numerals to sets of items and 10-frames (0–3 dots).
Recognize zero as a quantity representing "none" or empty.
Materials Needed
Starting Clues Slides (displayed whole-group)
Starting Clues Worksheet (1 per student)
Small counters / two-color chips (3 per student)
Blank 10-frame mats for manipulative practice
Lesson Sequence & Scripted Prompts
1. Mystery Hook & Zero Reveal (6 mins) Slides 1–2
Teacher Script: "Detectives! Today we begin our secret number trail. Close your eyes and open your hands. How many coins are in your palm? None! In math, 'none' has a special symbol: Zero . Show me a round zero with your fingers!"
2. Kinesthetic Rhymes: 1, 2, 3 (10 mins) Slides 3–5
Teach directional air-writing with verbal rhymes:0: "Round and round and round you go, that is how you make a zero!"1: "Come right down and in a line, that makes number one look fine!"2: "Around and back on the railroad track: Two, two, two!"3: "Around the tree and around the tree, that is how we make a three!"
3. Guided Trail & Worksheet Work (15 mins) Student Worksheet
Distribute worksheet. Model finding target numbers in Part 1. Emphasize tracking left-to-right. For Part 3, have students place actual counters onto the 10-frame first before writing the numeral.
Common Misconceptions
Zero Confusion: Students may think 0 means "start at one" rather than absence of quantity.Reversal of 2 & 3: Students often write 2 or 3 facing left. Use visual cues ("2 looks forward like a duck").1 vs 7: When students write 1 with a top hook, it mimics 7. Teach 1 as a straight top-down drop.
Targeted Differentiation
Support: Provide tactile sandpaper numerals (0–3) to trace before writing on paper. Limit choices to two cards at a time.Extension: Challenge students to create their own 10-frame riddle cards for a peer using 0–3 objects.
Midway March Slides Digit Detectives: Case 2
Grade 1 Math
The Midway March!
Let's track clues for numbers 4, 5, 6, and 7!
4
Four
5
Five
6
Six
7
Seven
CLUE 4
Meet Number Four
Word: FOUR
4
"Down and over, down once more, that is how we make a four!"
Notice the shape:
It has sharp straight corners. 4 legs on a detective table, 4 wheels on a police car!
Ten-Frame Check:
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4 dots: only one empty spot on top!
Show 4 fingers: 1, 2, 3, 4!
CLUE 5
Meet Number Five
Word: FIVE
5
"Down and around and put on a hat, number five is round and fat!"
A full hand of five!
5 fingers on your hand! 5 points on a shiny detective star badge.
Ten-Frame Check:
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The whole top row is completely full!
Give a high-5 in the air with five fingers!
CLUE 6
Meet Number Six
Word: SIX
6
"Down to a loop, roll the hoop, number six is in our group!"
Five and one more!
6 is five plus 1 extra. Look at the bottom row starting to fill!
Ten-Frame Check:
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Full row of 5, plus 1 on the bottom!
Show 5 fingers on one hand, and 1 finger on the other hand: 6!
CLUE 7
Meet Number Seven
Word: SEVEN
7
"Across the sky and down from heaven, that is how we make a seven!"
Five and two more!
Straight line across the top, then slide down diagonally.
Ten-Frame Check:
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Full row of 5, plus 2 on the bottom!
Show 5 fingers on one hand, and 2 fingers on the other hand: 7!
CHALLENGE
Fast Clue Detective!
Midway March Worksheet Midway March Worksheet
Digit Detectives • Mission 2: Numbers 4 to 7
Page 1 of 2
Case #4567
Detective Name:
Date:
Score: / 10
1
Detective Hunt: Circle the Target Number
Scan each clue row from left to right. Circle every numeral that matches the target badge!
4
4 1 4 7 4 9 4
5
2 5 5 3 5 5 2
6
9 6 0 6 6 8 6
7
7 1 7 7 4 7 1
2
Count the Clues: Draw a Line to the Numeral
Count the items in each set. Draw a line to the matching number.
Set A: 🔦 🔦 🔦 🔦
Set B: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Set C: 🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️
Set D: 👣 👣 👣 👣 👣 👣 👣
4 Four
5 Five
6 Six
7 Seven
Digit Detectives Foundational Series Turn page for Ten-Frames and Writing! ➔
Frames, Tracks & Writing
Digit Detectives • Mission 2: Numbers 4 to 7
Page 2 of 2
Case #4567
3
Ten-Frame Secret Codes
Count the dots. Notice full rows of 5 plus extras! Write the number in the box.
Clue A
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Number
Clue B
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Number
Clue C
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Number
Clue D
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Number
4
Detective Handwriting Vault
Practice writing each digit clearly inside the blank evidence boxes.
4 four
5 five
6 six
7 seven
Detective Badge Verification
Teacher verifies neat formation and accurate 4–7 identification.
Badge Stamp
Digit Match Activity Cards Digit Match Activity Cards
Deck A: Numerals & Ten-Frames (4, 5, 6, 7)
Station Manipulative
Cut along dashed lines
Station Directions: Cut out each card. In pairs, mix up the cards face down. Take turns flipping two cards: match each large numeral to its correct ten-frame card!
4 FOUR
Target Digit Match to 4 dots
Ten-Frame Representation
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5 FIVE
Target Digit Full top row!
Ten-Frame Representation
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6 SIX
Target Digit 5 + 1 more
Ten-Frame Representation
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7 SEVEN
Target Digit 5 + 2 more
Ten-Frame Representation
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Cut Card Set A • Lesson 2 See Card Set B on next page ➔
Clue Objects & Finger Cards
Deck B: Visual Sets & Kinesthetic Models (4, 5, 6, 7)
Station Manipulative
Cut along dashed lines
Extension Game ("Speed Snap"): Combine Deck A and Deck B. Students race to make a "Detective Quad": Numeral (4) + Ten-Frame (4) + Clues (4 flashlights) + Fingers (4 fingers)!
Clue Object Set
🔦 🔦 🔦 🔦
4 Detective Lights
Finger Pattern
||||
4 fingers up
Clue Object Set
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
5 Star Badges
Finger Pattern
✋
1 whole hand (5)
Clue Object Set
👣 👣 👣
6 Footprints
Finger Pattern
✋ + ☝️
5 and 1
Clue Object Set
🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️
7 Mystery Keys
Finger Pattern
✋ + ✌️
5 and 2
Cut Card Set B • Lesson 2 Complete Set Store in Detective Envelope #2
Reaching Ten Slides Digit Detectives: Final Mission
Grade 1 Math
Reaching for Ten!
Let's master numbers 8, 9, and 10, then trace the whole trail from 0 to 10 !
8
Eight
9
Nine
10
Ten
CLUE 8
Meet Number Eight
Word: EIGHT
8
"Make an S and do not wait, climb right back to make an eight!"
Five and three more!
8 legs on a mystery spider, 8 tentacles on an octopus. Look at the two loops!
Ten-Frame Check:
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●
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Full row of 5, plus 3 on the bottom!
Show 5 fingers on one hand and 3 fingers on the other: 8!
CLUE 9
Meet Number Nine
Word: NINE
9
"A loop and a line, that is how we make a nine!"
Almost full ten-frame!
Notice that the round loop is at the TOP, with a straight stem dropping down.
Ten-Frame Check:
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9 dots: only 1 single empty space left!
Show 5 fingers on one hand and 4 fingers on the other: 9!
CLUE 10
Meet Number Ten
Word: TEN
10
"A one and a zero standing proud, ten makes two hands clap out loud!"
Our first two-digit hero!
It takes two numerals standing together: a 1 and a 0! 10 fingers on two hands.
Ten-Frame Check:
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Every single space in the ten-frame is full!
Flash all 10 fingers in the air!
THE TRAIL
The Master Detective Trail: 0 to 10
Complete Sequence
Count forwards from zero all the way to ten!
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Grand Case Review Worksheet Grand Case Review Worksheet
Digit Detectives • Mission 3: Complete 0 to 10 Review
Page 1 of 2
Case #0010
Detective Name:
Date:
Badge Score: / 12
1
Footprint Number Trail: Fill in the Missing Digits
Follow the detective trail from 0 to 10. Write the missing numbers in the blank boxes!
0
2
4
5
7
9
2
Final Case Clue Hunt: Target 8, 9, and 10
Circle each number that matches its target detective badge across the clue row.
8
8 3 8 0 8 6 8
9
9 6 9 7 9 1 9
10
10 01 10 1 10 0 10
3
Count & Match Evidence
Count the items. Draw a line to the matching number.
Set A: 🕷️ 🕷️ 🕷️ 🕷️ 🕷️ 🕷️ 🕷️ 🕷️
Set B: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Set C: 🔍 🔍 🔍 🔍 🔍 🔍 🔍 🔍 🔍 🔍
8 Eight
9 Nine
10 Ten
Digit Detectives Master Review Turn page for Frames & Handwriting! ➔
Master Frames & Final Writing
Digit Detectives • Mission 3: Page 2
Page 2 of 2
Case #0010
4
Ten-Frame Secret Codes
Count the dots. Write the number in each blank clue badge.
Clue A
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Number
Clue B
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Number
Clue C
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Number
Clue D
Number
5
Detective Handwriting Vault
Practice writing digits 8, 9, and 10 clearly inside each blank box.
8 eight
9 nine
10 ten
Master Detective Certification
First grade number recognition 0–10 verified.
Master Stamp
Number Mastery Check Assessment Number Mastery Check Assessment
Digit Detectives • Final Summative Screener (0–10)
Page 1 of 2 (Student)
Form A • Grade 1
Detective Name:
Date:
Score: / 10
1
Listen & Circle (Teacher will read target number)
Listen to the teacher say a number. Circle the number you hear in each row.
Row A:
0 8 3 6
Row B:
7 1 4 9
Row C:
2 5 10 8
2
Ten-Frame Code: Circle the Matching Number
Count the dots inside the ten-frame. Circle the correct matching number.
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5 6 7
0 1 10
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8 9 10
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8 9 10
3
Count & Write the Clue Digit
Count each clue set. Write the correct number in the blank evidence box.
🔍 🔍 🔍 🔍
(No Items - Empty)
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Digit Detectives Summative Evaluation Teacher Guide & Oral Screener on Page 2 ➔
Teacher Diagnostic Screener & Rubric
Individual Oral Naming & Mastery Scoring (0–10)
Educator Record
One-on-One Quick Check
Individual Rapid Naming Protocol (1–2 mins)
Target: Instant recognition (< 2 sec)
Flash numeral cards out of order. Check ✓ for automatic recall, H for hesitant (> 2 sec), or write incorrect response.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Diagnostic Performance Levels
Mastery Level Paper Score Observable Behaviors Next Instructional Step
