Extend the Learning with Puzzles

Those of you who have been on this site before know I love my puzzles. I’ve been creating Magic Square Puzzles for over a decade. They are truly great for ALL types of learners!

Today I want to dive into my puzzles a bit more and share ideas of how you can extend the learning with puzzles. So let’s get right to it!

• First, make sure to use the puzzles with the problems around the outside. These have an additional layer of challenge to them.
  • Remember: Many of my Magic Square Puzzles include digital options that are compatible with Google Slides, so you can save time by not having to cut out the paper puzzles. (This is especially nice when you have students that are going through multiple puzzles in a day!)

• Use editable puzzles to individualize the topic for each student. With the options here, you can even choose if students are solving a four, nine, or 16 piece puzzle!
  • BONUS: Have the students create their own puzzles! Often I find they create even more challenging problems than I would have done – which is great for those kiddos who need to extend the learning.
  • If the square get boring, there are over 120 other shape puzzles here.

• Chances are, you’ll have at least one student who flies through the puzzle quickly. That’s ok! Yes, you can certainly have them complete another puzzle (or a few more). OR you can have them write the correct answers around the edges.
  • Hopefully you already gave these students the puzzle that DOES have problems on the outside (because those are more challenging). Ask them to extend the learning by writing the match. You can see an example of this below.
  • For those kiddos who need a more accelerated learning rate, consider moving them into even more puzzles. This K-5 bundle is over 90% off, making it an affordable way to accelerate learning in elementary math.

• Create word problems. With the example images above, you can see basic math concepts were done. But you can extend the leraning by asking students to write word problems.
  • BONUS: Ask them to include one number that is not relevant to the problem to really challenge those critical thinking skills.

• Ask them to write. Yes, they can create word problems or they can also explain their thinking by writing a short reflection on the types of problems they just solved.

• Become the teacher. Many times the students who finish first love helping others. Just make sure they’re not doing the work for the other kids! Hints are fine, but they need to make sure their classmates are fully understanding the concept.

• Create something new. Yes, I love these Magic Square Puzzles, but I also know puzzles aren’t for everyone (or we can get bored with too much of something). Challenge your students to extend the learning by creating something new. Maybe it’s an escape room where correct answers unlock the door. Or leave it open ended. Often I find the less parameters I give, the more I am impressed by what my students come up with!

Need to extend the learning beyond worksheets? Here are my 15 tips!