Elf in the Classroom: NO PREP Holiday Problem Solving & Brain Puzzles for 4-8

As a teacher, I always want to have a plan B, but in December I want to have plans A-G! :) These problem solving cards are a great way to incorporate problem solving and deeper thinking in your classroom with NO PREP on your part.

What type of problems will I find in this file?
Check out the preview, but you will find 25 problems with:
algebraic balancing
algebra grids
word problems (students should know factors & multiples and all 4 basic operations, area of rectangles and triangles)
combination problems (students do NOT need an advanced understanding - these are designed to be successful in upper elementary grades)
guess my number problems (students are given clues to figure out the number)

CHECK OUT THE PREVIEW ABOVE

Use these cards all at once for a fun, Christmas math day, or spread them out over the course of the month to give students something to look forward to. They are a terrific "fast finisher" to stretch students who are in need of an extra challenge.

In my classroom, I use these at the end of each day as a reward for my class. They earn an "elf" as they follow directions and try their best each day.

These could also be used hidden around the school or playground for students to find before school or on a scavenger hunt. They can be used in SO many ways!

The file features 68 pages with 25 problem cards. Choose between black & white or the colored cards (BOTH included in this download), and decide how large of small you'd like the cards by changing your printing options in Preview or Adobe Reader. There are also 6 different choices for student work pages so you can choose the pages that are the best for each student.

ANSWER KEY INCLUDED

Happy Holidays!

Store Name | 6th Grade Marks the Spot © 2015

Keywords: Christmas algebraic problem solving, brain puzzles, elf, task cards, challenge cards, GATE, fast finishers, fun math, upper grades, middle school, algebra, pre-algebra