Have you used logic puzzlers in your classroom yet? Do you sometimes struggle with what to do with students that are early finishers? Logic Puzzler/ Early Finisher Activities are the answer! These are perfect for 4th-6th graders or students in your class who need enrichment. (link to blog post on 5 ways to challenge students needing enrichment when its live on the world enrichment) In fact, I have 8 WAYS to use logic puzzlers in your classroom right now so keep reading!
WHAT ARE LOGIC PUZZLERS?
First, you may be wondering what logic puzzlers are. Logic puzzlers were designed when I began searching for enrichment activities for my students. Each kit typically includes 8 different enrichment activities such as:
- Logic Grid Challenges– Using deductive reasoning, students will use the clues provided to find the solution to the story. Logic Grid Challenges require students to stay organized and see beyond the clues provided.
- Cool Math– Students will solve various math equations with different operations to make their way down the column in under one minute!
- Complex Maze– Can your students find their way thru this complex and fun maze?
- Letter Challenge– Students will be provided a set of letters and asked to create as many 4 letter words as they can think of.
- Symbol Sudoku– Students will cut and paste 9 different patterned symbols to successfully complete the Sudoku grid.
- Sequence Task Cards– 12 complex sequences that students must identify the rule and continue the pattern.
- Math Mobile Task Cards– Students must figure out the value of each emoji to balance out the math mobiles.
- Symbol Sums Task Cards– Students will be provided addition equation to help identify the value of each symbol provided.
STUDENTS LOVE LOGIC PUZZLERS
Students love logic puzzlers for many reasons: They love the challenging activities. They appreciate having hands-on activities to do if they finish early. Finally, they are just plain FUN! That is still what school is about, right? Having fun while learning!
There are so MANY different ways to incorporate these into your classroom. Here are 8 ways to use logic puzzlers in your class today:
#1 EARLY FINISHER ACTIVITIES
Using logic puzzlers for early finishers is honestly the main reason that they were created. I always needed something for students to do when they finished with the assigned work early. It was difficult to find activities that felt challenging and fun, but did not feel like “busy work” for students. This is how logic puzzlers were born! Simply pass one out at the beginning of the week or keep on a shelf in your room for students to grab when they are finished. You could assign extra credit for completing these.
#2 EMERGENCY SUB PLANS
I have had many teachers tell me that this is the main way that they use logic puzzlers. These are perfect for emergency sub plans so you don’t have to try to get together a math lesson at the last minute if you need to be out! Print out some non-holiday ones and stick them in your sub folder! However, I would recommend trying them with your students at least once before having a substitute use them.
#3 FUN FRIDAY ACTIVITIES
Another great way to use logic puzzlers is to make them a Fun Friday Activity. Whether you try having a fun Friday once per week or once per month, students (and you) will look forward to the change of plans in the schedule. Set aside about an hour of math time for students to work on these, or just set aside an hour at the end of the day once curriculum is complete.
#4 TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITY
In addition to using these for Fun Friday activities, logic puzzlers are awesome team building activities! Break up your class into partners and have them race to finish one of these activities together!
#5 TAKE HOME ACTIVITY
Logic puzzlers can also be used as a take home activity. In the past, I have assigned a set on a Monday and made it due the following Monday. This gave students the entire week and weekend to complete the set on top of other school work. I like to use incentives to have students complete this electively and earn rewards such as these Emoji Reward Coupons.
#6 PROMOTE PROBLEM SOLVING & DEDUCTIVE REASONING
Within these 8 ways to use logic puzzlers, promoting problem solving and deductive reasoning is HUGE! As teachers, we should always be striving to have students using problem solving and deductive reasoning skills. What better way than to sneak in some math as well?!
#7 CLASS REWARD
Another way to use logic puzzlers is as a whole class reward. You could even tie this into Fun Friday. For example, once students earn 10 days of good behavior as a class-they can earn a fun Friday. Try making logic puzzlers one of the Fun Friday stations.
#8 INDOOR RECESS
Finally, indoor recess is one more great way to put logic puzzlers to use. Students in upper elementary grades especially like to have something to do during indoor recess. I like to set these on a shelf for students to easily grab who want a challenge during indoor recess.
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Grab the Logic Puzzler Bundle and be set for year!
What do you use for early finishers in your classroom?
