The Elf who saved Christmas - A maths problem solving story

Eddie the Elf has been set the task of saving Christmas – but he needs help from your students!

Travel with Eddie, from Lapland to New York and back again, as he tries to fill up Santa’s Workshop with toys. Help him to find a cure for the sickness epidemic that has confined so many elves to bed at the busiest time of the year. Work with him to discover facts about New York City as he meets the Statue of Liberty.

This story is full of math problems using all operations. It is a test of comprehension as well as number skills but your students will be captivated by the story as they help Eddie to save Christmas!

There are four chapters in total, with questions and answers for each. The answers also include clues to help the students to answer the questions.

The reason I make resources like this is that word problems don’t go far enough to test a child’s math ability. I have always thought that they would be more challenging and ultimately more rewarding if they were placed within the context of a wider narrative.

This story also encourages students to use comprehension skills. They will need to retain information that will be needed later in the text!