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!!! :)

Click here to download the 2 puzzles!

Have a super Saturday!