Mystery Bags

Mystery bags occur occasionally in our Math program. Something connected to what we are studying is hiding in a treasure chest and the class has 20 questions to figure out what it is. The trick is to listen to each other's questions and build on that information. The other trick is to ask a real question that can be answered with a “Yes” or a “No”.

Once the contents of the mystery bag are identified, we usually have an estimating game as to how many pieces are in the bag. (The contents are usually edible.) Then we usually count out the pieces by 10s before enjoying the taste of the mystery bag surprise.