Saturday, May 19, 2012

Puzzling!

My students LOVE puzzles!

It still takes me by surprise...I have a small group that meets daily and we are often (several times per hour) going over the social expectations: using positive words (no swearing - I'm not kidding!),  using indoor voices (some days I'll take anything remotely close), taking deep breaths (okay, that's mostly for me), etc. One of my students told another this week that he's putting him "underground" - ugh, NOT okay!!!

So I'm dealing with some strong personalities and helping students deal with even stronger emotions. Yet, this same group of students act like the young students they are when I bring out puzzles :)

They LOVE them! Last summer I picked up this awesome wooden set of puzzles featuring images from the movie "Cars." What a hit with this group! I'm definitely on the lookout for more puzzles to add to my collection.

I keep several more "academic" puzzles on hand in ziploc bags for students who finish early or need a moment to cool down. These puzzles have review skills that students can easily experience success with (i.e.: rhyming words, number patterns) & then show they are ready to rejoin the group. I'm using these summer number puzzles this week & then surprising my small group by letting them take them home for keeps on Friday - I can't wait to see their faces!!! :)



Have a super Saturday!

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4 comments:

  1. Lisa R.May 19, 2012 at 9:23 AM

    I love these puzzles! They will be perfect for my students for the beginning of the school year. Thanks for sharing! :)

    I am having a big TPT giveaway over at my blog- come & check it out!
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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  2. Jessica Ann StanfordMay 19, 2012 at 10:37 AM

    I usually hate puzzles, but these totally change my mindset!!

    Blessings,

    Jessica Stanford
    Mrs. Stanford's Class Blog
    My TpT Store

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  3. Positively LearningMay 19, 2012 at 12:43 PM

    Thanks for your comments!
    I didn't think too much about using puzzles before until this particular group of students. I've been working awhile on creating jigsaw puzzles using word families. I hope to finish them so my students can "test" them out before the school year ends!
    Lisa - the giveaway looks awesome! Thanks for letting me know :)

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  4. ms. rachelMay 19, 2012 at 11:40 PM

    thank you so much for sharing.. im excited to use this with my kids, :)


    ♥rachel
    http://teachingmelodies.blogspot.com/

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