‘Cross Number Puzzles’ is a ready-made teaching resource that requires zero preparation. The activity consists of 5 cross number puzzles. And fortunately for teachers and parents, the answers are included on separate sheets too. Phew!
The puzzles are great for an early-morning starter, to wake-up those sleepy, morning brains. Alternatively, the activity could also be used at the end of a numeracy lesson to stretch those students that have finished early.
Number puzzles are great for developing thinking skills in numeracy, and for practising mathematical problem-solving. Cross Number Puzzles requires students to think strategically and work systematically to solve the problems. In addition, number puzzles are also known to help in other areas too. They are an excellent tool when practising mindfulness and are said to help improve focus, resilience and memory.
How to Use Cross Number Puzzles:
1. There are 3 vertical equations and 3 horizontal equations. Fill the empty boxes with a digit from 1-9 to satisfy each of the equations.
2. Each digit from 1-9 can only be used once.
3. The equations must be completed from left to right and top to bottom.
4. Use the tick-boxes beside the puzzle to keep track of which digits have already been used.
Extension Activities and Fun Ideas:
✳️ Ask students to create their own cross number problems (this is a challenge in itself!). Once they have done this, they can then find a classmate to solve it or they take it home to watch their parents struggle.
✳️ School days can be hectic and sometimes over-stimulating for students. Therefore, mindfulness sessions are a chance for students to wind-down and for teachers to regain a little sanity back into the classroom. These sessions can be particularly effective after a busy lunchtime. So, why not create a mindfulness station within the classroom, which is full of resources to help with relaxation and mindfulness. When students come in from lunch, they can stop at the station, collect a resource and settle down for 10 minutes of quiet mindfulness. ‘Cross Number Puzzles’ would be a super addition to your mindfulness station.
✳️ Cross number puzzles are challenging, and it takes a great deal of perseverance and resilience to complete them. If you are trying to instil a growth mindset within your students, activities such as these are really useful. Students are able to experience what perseverance and resilience truly feel like. Reassure your students that the solution is there and celebrate the effort they have put in, rather than celebrating whether or not they have completed the puzzle. You might consider awarding some class prizes for effort and to celebrate their resilience.
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