Notes to the Teacher

Friends,

So often it seems that finding just-right resources for all of our learners is a full time job,
especially for my highest group of mathematicians. These are the friends that are working
a grade-level (or two) above 1st grade and the ones who sometimes struggle to show
growth on District Assessment programs (STAR, MAP, etc.). As teachers, our initial
reaction is to say – “Hey, these friends know the first grade content. I’m time to move
on.” - only to repeatedly hear from math coaches and administrators – “Don’t teach
another grade level’s math content!” So, the question for the ages - if I can’t teach 2nd or
3rd grade content, how do I challenge these students and move them forward?

When challenging this group, I most often turn to (1) word problems, (2) writing about our
math thinking, and (3) math brain teasers/puzzles. All three require students to apply their
math skills in flexible and unconventional ways. Additionally, all three avenues require
students to ask themselves “Does my answer make sense?” as well as, be able to justify
their answers.

In this resource, you’ll find 18 addition/subtraction brain teasers (and teacher answer
keys) that require students to find the unknown value of 3 shapes. When working with
these problems, students are intertwining their understandings of addition, subtraction,
missing addends, and commutative property.

I would HIGHLY suggest using these cards in small group before placing them in a center.
Initially, my 1st grade friends panicked. They were overwhelmed and they shut down. As a
group we talked using growth-mindset language and continuing trying numbers until
students discovered patterns in the cards and between the numbers. I did want and let my
students struggle. If supported too much, these brain teasers, won’t be difficult. Doing
difficult tasks allows students to develop a mindset of growth and resilience. Students
know it’s okay to make mistakes, try the wrong number, or unknowingly defend the wrong
number. The sense of accomplishment when students complete a puzzle task (sometimes
taking up to 15-20 minutes) is significant. Now, my highest mathematicians beg for these
cards and love the challenge. Our motto has quickly become, “Our brains love to do hard
things.”

Best wishes for a challenging and exciting classroom,

Catherine, The Brown Bag Teacher
 Using This Resource
First introducing these brain teasers, I printed the puzzles on colored-cardstock. I then laminated them and put
them on a binder ring. Placing them on a binder rings makes the cards easy to keep up with and hang for easy
access. I chose the laminate the cards so students could write directly on them using a dry erase marker.

Use these puzzles in a math journal, by printing multiple pages per sheet or reducing the
size to 85% with printing so they’ll fit in a traditional composition notebook.

To accommodate the many different ways these puzzles can be used, 4 different recording sheet
options are included. I tend to use these when the cards are at a center. When at my Teacher Table,
I check student work/thinking immediately. When using the cards at a center, you may find that students
are only able to complete a few (1-3) in a 20-25 time period initially.
 My Math Thinking
At first I tried…
I can use _______
I noticed… to help me solve the
task because…
I agree/disagree because…

It makes sense
to me because…

How do you know

you’re right?

Will you please

explain it in a
different way?
How much is each shape worth?

+ = 8
+ = 13
+ + = 16 A

How much is each shape worth?

+ = 14
+ = 10
+ + = 18 B
How much is each shape worth?

+ = 20
+ c"
= 16
+ + = 20
c"

How much is each shape worth?

c"
+ c"
= 18
c"
+ = 12
c"
+ + = 18 D
How much is each shape worth?

+ = 12
- = 8
+ + = 22 E

How much is each shape worth?

+ = 10
- = 2
+ + = 16 F
How much is each shape worth?

+ = 16
- = 12
+ - = 18 G

How much is each shape worth?

+ = 6
- = 12
+ - = 17 H
How much is each shape worth?
c"
+ c"
= 18
- c"
= 6
+ - = 13
c"

How much is each shape worth?

c"
+ c"
= 20
- c"
= 4
+ - = 12
c"

J
How much is each shape worth?

+ = 14
- = 8
+ + = 25 K

How much is each shape worth?

+ = 10
- = 7
+ + = 23 L
How much is each shape worth?
c"
+ c"
= 14
c"
+ - = 8
c"

+ - c"
= 10 M

How much is each shape worth?

+ = 16
+ - = 12
c"
+ - = 13 N
How much is each shape worth?

+ = 16
+ - = 10
+ - = 7 O

How much is each shape worth?

+ = 8
+ - = 11
- + = 16 P
How much is each shape worth?

+ = 14
- = 2
- + = 8 Q

How much is each shape worth?

+ = 20
- = 3
- + = 12 R
Name:

My Math Puzzle Thinking

shape value shape value
h

h
Card

Card
shape value shape value
h

h
Card

Card
Name:

My Math Puzzle Thinking

shape value shape value
h

h
Card

Card

shape value shape value

h

h
Card

Card
Name:

My Math Puzzle Thinking

shape value shape value
h

h
Card

Card
Name:

My Math Puzzle Thinking

shape value shape value
h

h
Card

Card
Name:

My Math Puzzle Thinking

shape value
h
Card

Name:

My Math Puzzle Thinking

shape value
h
Card
 Name:

Card P Card M Card J Card G Card D Card A

Card Q Card N Card K Card H Card E Card B

Card R Card O Card L Card I Card F Card C

My Math Puzzle Thinking
 Card P Card M Card J Card G Card D Card A

11
11

4
9
8
8
8
4

9
9

7
3
3

6
6

14
10
20
Card Q Card N Card K Card H Card E Card B

4
5
9
8
5
2
8

7
3
3

7
7

12
14

15
15

Card R Card O Card L Card I Card F Card C

9
8
9
4
4

5
5

7
7

6
6

15
13
12
15

10
10
10
ANSWER KEY (3 Shape Puzzlers)
 Thank you for downloading this resource! I hope your
students love these math brain teasers. If you have any
questions, comments, or requests, please let me know.
For other high-quality, primary downloads, click on these

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resources