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You love math and all its delightful complexities, including math puzzles in daily and gaming apps. This is why you become a math teacher! But how can you get middle school students to appreciate math with the same excitement and even help them learn skills at the same time?
Bring the fun of whole numbers, operations, and expressions into your classroom with a series of middle school math puzzles. We’ve gathered our favorite math puzzle resources, as well as tips for implementing math puzzles in the classroom to help instill a true love of arithmetic in even the most reluctant middle school mathematicians.
Middle School Math Puzzle Bell Ringer
Why wait until the end of class to start having fun? Use middle school math puzzles as a ringtone to signal to students that math is more than just a line of numbers to solve. When they start doing fun middle school STEM warm-up activities, math may be their new favorite subject.
If you’d like to use a middle school math puzzle as a ringtone, consider these teacher tips:
- Add math puzzles to your end-of-semester routine to encourage students to get to work right away.
- Make one day of the week a puzzle-focused warm-up (such as “Fun Friday” or “Math Puzzle Monday”).
- Have students copy the math puzzle into a designated notebook or link the puzzle to a digital classroom forum.
Start math lessons with logic puzzles
Could your middle schooler use some help with his logic skills? Help students of all math levels build and hone their math and logic skills with a collection of ringtones based on grid logic puzzles.
Logic Puzzle Ringing the Bell | Number Math Morning Work | Brain Teasers
Learning through Acres
Topic: Math Test Preparation
Improve your logic skills and solve your course problems at the same time with a set of number logic puzzles. This engaging resource includes 31 self-check logic questions with two difficulty levels – one with filled in answers and the other with a blank diagram.
Excellent middle school extended math puzzles
If you want to expand your math lessons with an assignment that doesn’t feel like homework, add math puzzles that kids will feel the need to complete. Extended math puzzles address key middle school math concepts while preparing them to apply these skills in future units.
As you move forward, keep these implementation ideas in mind:
- Review math concepts from previous units or lessons as an extension activity, such as adding elements of a pre-algebra worksheet to an algebra lesson.
- Add expanded puzzles to your class’ homework packets or exams.
- Compile a series of math puzzles for students to complete as catch-up homework in their absence.
Extend your lessons with math puzzles they’ll love
Want to see math classwork and homework start rolling in? Incorporate these middle school unit math puzzles into your weekly homework packets and you’ll see your grades steadily rising in your gradebook.
Missing Corner Puzzles | Promotional Activities | 8th Grade Mathematics
Smart pug teaching
Subject: Geometry
Standard: CCSS 8.GA5
Use math puzzle resources aligned with CCSS Math to practice the rules of geometry, including vertical angles and angular relationships. This no-prep activity includes 95 missing-edge questions, student answer sheets, and simple answers, making it a perfect class assignment or homework assignment.
Math puzzles are good for the brain
Anyone who has taught particularly complex math concepts or tried to hold the attention of middle school students for an extended period of time knows the importance of brain breaks. These important moments can help students transition between different parts of class or another activity, and middle school math puzzles can be the perfect way to accomplish this.
To make brain breaks work in the classroom, consider these implementation ideas:
- Have math puzzles ready for class transitions or students finishing exams early.
- Once the group has completed a project or checked out all class work, provide them with a math puzzle.
- Create a carry-on bag that students can grab when they want to take a break from work.
Make math feel like a game with fun math puzzles
Can daily math practice become something they look forward to? Incorporate math puzzles into your lessons to cover and reinforce specific math skills.
Integer Addition and Subtraction Math Activity Puzzles and Riddles – No Prep required
misty miller
Subjects: Algebra, Numbers
Standard: CCSS 7.NS.A.1d
Available in digital and printable versions, this set of middle school math puzzles encourages students to solve whole number problems and math riddles. Students can complete these activities at math stations or in small groups or take them home to complete as part of homework.
Participate in math puzzles to enrich your knowledge
When it comes to enriching your math instruction, math puzzles for middle school students can also help you. Challenge math students to take their knowledge to the next level, or develop a healthy appreciation and understanding of science in the classroom.
- Use math puzzles designed for high school or college students as an extra challenge for middle school students.
- Start a math club for advanced math students and introduce new math puzzles at each meeting.
- Challenge students to compete against each other as they complete intensive math puzzles.
Take learning to another level with advanced math puzzles
You don’t need to give your students a standardized test to find out if they understand complex math concepts – a puzzle will do! Use puzzles to challenge students to more advanced math activities and bridge the gap between their current understanding and their next academic steps.
Integer Arithmetic Logic Puzzles and Challenges – Math Reinforcement Activities
Laughing Maths via Live
Topic: Numbers
Standard: CCSS G.NS.C.5, 7.NS.A.1, 7.NS.A.2
Put the textbook aside and let them do math enrichment activities that reinforce how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers. Designed for gifted learners, these four puzzle types are ideal for any student with a need for extensive knowledge and are a great choice for early finishers or to supplement advanced math assignments or classwork packets.
Amazing Math Puzzle Bulletin Board
When you add math puzzles to your bulletin board, make the lesson part of your decor. You’ll engage your students with math while sparking their curiosity!
- Math puzzles are changed weekly and extra credit is given to students who complete the math puzzle correctly.
- Allow students to add their own puzzle ideas to the bulletin board.
- Include instructions on the math test to “Complete the math puzzle on the bulletin board” as the final problem they are to solve.
Use a math puzzle bulletin board to inspire middle school students
By allowing students to complete their own versions of printables, these middle school math puzzles can really bring math to life in meaningful and unique ways.
Interactive Math Bulletin Board Weekly Challenge Math Logic Puzzles Rich
Author: The Demotic
Take math exercises off the page and decorate your walls! Using a large Rubik’s Cube grid and matching printable worksheets, you can set up a “Take One and Solve” bulletin board for motivated students looking to learn more through math puzzles.
Popular math puzzles suitable for any classroom setting
Need to add some math puzzles into your lessons in a pinch? These popular middle school math puzzles (or any other grade!) apply math and logic concepts in a timeless and fun way.
- logic puzzle
- digital pyramid
- Math crossword puzzle
- sudoku puzzle
- area maze
- math riddles
- Guess the password (Mastermind)
- dice game
Use TPT’s creative math resources to solve puzzles for middle school students
The most skilled mathematicians (and math teachers) know that math should be fun to be interesting. Adding middle school math puzzles is just one way to increase classroom engagement, but it’s a versatile and fun addition to the curriculum that students are sure to want more! Find more middle school math puzzle resources to keep them interested and spark a lifelong fascination with math.
