In Part 1 of this topic, I discussed five ways puzzles can be incorporated into lessons and activities. In this post, I’d like to share some creative ways to reimagine puzzles or invent your own! I hope this will encourage you and your students to do some creative puzzling!
PAIRED PUZZLES
A paired puzzle is made up of two puzzles. The first one must be completed in order to solve the second one. Each of the puzzles linked below, the Welcome Back Paired Puzzle and the Halloween-themed paired puzzle, begin with HINK PINKS followed by a second kind of puzzle. I would use these with students in grades 3 and up, just for fun. I hope to later create a few that K-2 teachers can share with their students.
📓🍎 WELCOME BACK PAIRED PUZZLE (Preview/ Download FREE) 📓🍎
🎃 🎃 HALLOWEEN PAIRED PUZZLE (Preview/ Download FREE)🎃 🎃
PROGRESSIVE PUZZLES
A progressive puzzle is a set of puzzles that must be solved in sequential order. The solution to the first puzzle is needed in order to solve the next puzzle, and this continues with each successive puzzle. Students use a variety of critical reading and thinking skills as they work their way from one puzzle to the next to get to the final solution.
The idea for a progressive puzzle came to me when I was looking for a unique puzzle activity that would challenge students. I found logic and math puzzles, but I wanted something a little different. I don’t think I invented these, but I’ve never seen them anywhere else! They are fun to do on a special day, such as a school holiday or the first day of classes.
Here are the available sets:
BACK-TO-SCHOOL Progressive Puzzle
DECEMBER – Who Got Which Gift? Progressive Puzzle
ST. PATRICK’S DAY Progressive Puzzle
APRIL FOOL’S Progressive Puzzle
LAST DAYS of SCHOOL Progressive Puzzle
…and for any time of the year
MINI-MYSTERY Progressive Puzzle #1
MINI-MYSTERY Progressive Puzzle #2
… these puzzles include a little investigation about a specific topic
NASA’s ARTEMIS Progressive Puzzle
MYSTERIES of the DEEP SEA Progressive Puzzle
The Mini-Mystery puzzles are “crack-the-case” problem-solving activities that can be used at any time of the year! In Prize in a Purloined Purse, a woman’s purse has been stolen, and inside is a winning lottery ticket. The case is solved when the thief attempts to cash in the ticket. In Ransomed Ruby in the Ratatouille, a diner finds a gem in his stew, leading to a police investigation. The clues revealed in each puzzle add up in the end!
This series of puzzles I’ve called Edutainment puzzles because they are tied to the investigation of a novel topic or current event such as NASA’s Artemis or MYSTERIES of the Deep Sea. In order to solve the first puzzle, students view or read specific resources (links included). These puzzles can be used to introduce these topics or for supplemental learning.
… and the NEWEST puzzle, a Math and Logic progressive puzzle with a Fibonacci theme
Math and Logic Progressive Puzzle ~ Figuring with Fibonacci and Dabbling with Dice.
I’d love to hear how you incorporate puzzles and word games into your lessons and special events. Comment below to share with us! You can find more activities for every month of the year HERE. Also, if this site is new to you, check out this 4-min. video tour that explains how the site is organized and can help you find resources more quickly.
ENJOY!
I absolutely LOVE these! I have even had my students make some of their own. Can’t wait for the other holidays to come out!
I’m thrilled to hear that you and your students had fun completing these, Becky! I would absolutely LOVE to see your students’ puzzles! You may have seen the post “Kid-Created Word Puzzles: FUN-damental Brainwork!” My students have always loved creating their own puzzles of all kinds. Be sure to check out the PUZZLES page under EXTRAS. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.