FREE Reasoning Puzzles: Place Value, Addition, Perimeter, Area, Multiplication

If you are looking for ways to set your class discussion on fire, you're in the right place. Keep them engaged all the way to the end of the year! These no prep puzzles just need to be printed and handed to students for instant student to student discourse. In the puzzles they have to try to decide if statements referring to a picture are true or false.

There are five different puzzles with 6 prompts each, so in total 30 problems. They vary in levels of difficulty, but the paid product is tiered, meaning it gets more difficult as the puzzles go on.

The sample topics include:

Puzzle #1: Addition (4 digit plus 4 digit addition)

Puzzle #2: Place Value - Rounding (up to 4 digit numbers)

Puzzle #3: Area of Irregular Shape - Composite Shape (with grids)

Puzzle #4: Perimeter of Irregular Shape (calculated in centimeters)

Puzzle #5: Multiplication as Repeated Addition on the Number Line

This resource is here to help students engage in math talk, test prep for your state standardized tests, and to work through the Standards for Mathematical Practice. In this activity, students decide for themselves whether six statements are true/false about a given puzzle. You can then have them engage in math talk to defend their thinking, and critique the reasoning of others.

Why work on reasoning activities?

The Standards for Mathematical Practice put a focus on the thinking processes of students. There is also some pretty strong research suggesting that students should be engaged in student to student math talk for at least 65% of your math lesson. Giving students these tasks allows them to form their own thoughts, and then work with a team to defend their thinking. If you make it a regular part of your classroom routine (once a week or every other week) students will become more comfortable with math talk.

The puzzles are also fantastic problem solving, critical thinking and deduction activities!

How long does this activity last?

Depending on the ability level of your students, each individual activity can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. There are 5 total puzzles in this resource.

How do I assess this project?

You can assess what the students do individually if you have them glue their strips to the true/ false template. If you pull together small groups, you could also assess students on their group work skills and level of participation in their group.

How and when do you use this problem type in class?

There are many ways you can use this activity:

 - Fast finisher activity

 - Morning work

 - Intervention block activity

 - Small group work

 - Homework for students

 - Gifted and talented small groups

 - Whole class activity

 - Parent volunteers can work one on one

 - Center activity

Included in this resource:

1. Information for the teacher pages: CCSS alignment, and a sample lesson plan.

2. True/False Template.

3. 5 puzzles, and 5 answer keys with explanations for the false statements.

These puzzles are challenging, and fun! If you have any questions, or find any problems, please contact me as soon as possible so that I may fix any errors.

If you like this activity, try out my other reasoning puzzles:

Reasoning Puzzles: Activities to Engage in Math Talk