problem solving worksheets for middle school

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Problem-solving skills are necessary in all areas of life, and classroom problem solving activities can be a great way to get students prepped and ready to solve real problems in real life scenarios. Whether in school, work or in their social relationships, the ability to critically analyze a problem, map out all its elements and then prepare a workable solution is one of the most valuable skills one can acquire in life.

Educating your students about problem solving skills from an early age in school can be facilitated through classroom problem solving activities. Such endeavors encourage cognitive as well as social development, and can equip students with the tools they’ll need to address and solve problems throughout the rest of their lives. Here are five classroom problem solving activities your students are sure to benefit from as well as enjoy doing:

1. Brainstorm bonanza

Having your students create lists related to whatever you are currently studying can be a great way to help them to enrich their understanding of a topic while learning to problem-solve. For example, if you are studying a historical, current or fictional event that did not turn out favorably, have your students brainstorm ways that the protagonist or participants could have created a different, more positive outcome. They can brainstorm on paper individually or on a chalkboard or white board in front of the class.

2. Problem-solving as a group

Have your students create and decorate a medium-sized box with a slot in the top. Label the box “The Problem-Solving Box.” Invite students to anonymously write down and submit any problem or issue they might be having at school or at home, ones that they can’t seem to figure out on their own. Once or twice a week, have a student draw one of the items from the box and read it aloud. Then have the class as a group figure out the ideal way the student can address the issue and hopefully solve it.

3. Clue me in

This fun detective game encourages problem-solving, critical thinking and cognitive development. Collect a number of items that are associated with a specific profession, social trend, place, public figure, historical event, animal, etc. Assemble actual items (or pictures of items) that are commonly associated with the target answer. Place them all in a bag (five-10 clues should be sufficient.) Then have a student reach into the bag and one by one pull out clues. Choose a minimum number of clues they must draw out before making their first guess (two- three). After this, the student must venture a guess after each clue pulled until they guess correctly. See how quickly the student is able to solve the riddle.

4. Survivor scenarios

Create a pretend scenario for students that requires them to think creatively to make it through. An example might be getting stranded on an island, knowing that help will not arrive for three days. The group has a limited amount of food and water and must create shelter from items around the island. Encourage working together as a group and hearing out every child that has an idea about how to make it through the three days as safely and comfortably as possible.

5. Moral dilemma

Create a number of possible moral dilemmas your students might encounter in life, write them down, and place each item folded up in a bowl or bag. Some of the items might include things like, “I saw a good friend of mine shoplifting. What should I do?” or “The cashier gave me an extra $1.50 in change after I bought candy at the store. What should I do?” Have each student draw an item from the bag one by one, read it aloud, then tell the class their answer on the spot as to how they would handle the situation.

Classroom problem solving activities need not be dull and routine. Ideally, the problem solving activities you give your students will engage their senses and be genuinely fun to do. The activities and lessons learned will leave an impression on each child, increasing the likelihood that they will take the lesson forward into their everyday lives.

You may also like to read

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20 Critical Thinking Activities for Middle Schoolers

• Middle School Education

Introduction:

  Critical thinking is vital for middle school students, as it helps them develop problem-solving skills, make informed decisions, and understand different perspectives. Integrating critical thinking activities into classroom learning experiences can greatly enhance students’ cognitive abilities. The following are 20 engaging critical thinking activities designed for middle school students.

1. Brain Teasers: Use age-appropriate puzzles to challenge students’ cognitive abilities and encourage them to find creative solutions.

2. Socratic Circles: Divide the class into groups and encourage them to participate in a philosophical discussion on a given topic, asking questions that stimulate critical thinking and deeper understanding.

3. Compare and Contrast: Assign two similar but different texts for students to compare and contrast, analyzing similarities and differences between each author’s perspective.

4. What-If Questions: Encourage children to think critically about hypothetical scenarios by asking what-if questions, such as “What if the internet didn’t exist?”

5. Debate Club: Organize a debate club where students are encouraged to research and defend differing viewpoints on a topic.

6. Mind Mapping: Teach students how to create a mind map – a visual representation of their thoughts – to help them brainstorm complex issues effectively.

7. Mystery Bag: In small groups, give students a bag containing several random objects and ask them to invent an innovative product or story using all items in the bag.

8. Critical Thinking Journal: Have students maintain journals where they analyze their thought processes after completing activities, promoting self-reflection and metacognition.

9. Moral Dilemmas: Present students with moral dilemmas, requiring them to weigh pros and cons before making ethical decisions.

10. Fact or Opinion?: Give students various statements and ask them to differentiate between fact or opinion, helping them build critical thinking skills when handling information.

11. Research Projects: Assign project topics that require deep research from multiple sources, developing students’ abilities to sift through information and synthesize their findings.

12. Think-Pair-Share: Have students think individually about a complex question, then pair up to discuss their thoughts, and finally share with the class.

13. Art Interpretation: Display an artwork and ask students to interpret its meaning, theme, or message, pushing them to look beyond the surface.

14. Reverse Role Play: Assign roles for a scenario where students exchange positions (e.g., teacher-student, parent-child), fostering empathetic understanding and critical thinking skills.

15. Critical Evaluation of Media: Analyze news articles, commercials, or social media posts by asking questions about their purpose, target audience, and accuracy.

16. Six Thinking Hats: Teach students Edward de Bono’s “Six Thinking Hats” technique to improve critical thinking by exploring diverse perspectives when solving problems.

17. Analogy Building: Encourage students to create analogies from one concept to another, enhancing abstract thinking and problem-solving abilities.

18. Current Events Analysis: Keep track of current events and have students critically evaluate news stories or blog posts to encourage informed decision-making in real-world contexts.

19. Brainstorming Sessions: Hold group brainstorming sessions where students invent solutions for complex problems while practicing active listening and critical thinking.

20. Reflection Activities: Use reflective writing prompts at the end of lessons or activities to foster metacognition, self-awareness, and the development of critical thinking skills.

Conclusion:

Critical thinking activities are vital for middle schoolers as they foster intellectual growth and prepare them for future learning experiences. By incorporating these 20 activities into your classroom curriculum, you can help students develop essential critical thinking skills that will serve them throughout their academic careers and beyond.

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20 Effective Math Strategies To Approach Problem-Solving 

Katie Keeton

Math strategies for problem-solving help students use a range of approaches to solve many different types of problems. It involves identifying the problem and carrying out a plan of action to find the answer to mathematical problems.  

Problem-solving skills are essential to math in the general classroom and real-life. They require logical reasoning and critical thinking skills.  students must be equipped with strategies to help them find solutions to problems.

This article explores mathematical problem solving strategies, logical reasoning and critical thinking skills to help learners with solving math word problems independently in real-life situations. 

What are problem-solving strategies?

Problem-solving strategies in math are methods students can use to figure out solutions to math problems. Some problem-solving strategies: 

• Draw a model
• Use different approaches
• Check the inverse to make sure the answer is correct

Students need to have a toolkit of math problem-solving strategies at their disposal to provide different ways to approach math problems. This makes it easier to find solutions and understand math better. 

Strategies can help guide students to the solution when it is difficult ot know when to start.

The ultimate guide to problem solving techniques

Download these ready-to-go problem solving techniques that every student should know. Includes printable tasks for students including challenges, short explanations for teachers with questioning prompts.

20 Math Strategies For Problem-Solving

Different problem-solving math strategies are required for different parts of the problem. It is unlikely that students will use the same strategy to understand and solve the problem. 

Here are 20 strategies to help students develop their problem-solving skills. 

Strategies to understand the problem

Strategies that help students understand the problem before solving it helps ensure they understand: 

• The context
• What the key information is
• How to form a plan to solve it

Following these steps leads students to the correct solution and makes the math word problem easier .

Here are five strategies to help students understand the content of the problem and identify key information. 

1. Read the problem aloud

Read a word problem aloud to help understand it. Hearing the words engages auditory processing. This can make it easier to process and comprehend the context of the situation.

2. Highlight keywords 

When keywords are highlighted in a word problem, it helps the student focus on the essential information needed to solve it. Some important keywords help determine which operation is needed.  For example, if the word problem asks how many are left, the problem likely requires subtraction.  Ensure students highlight the keywords carefully and do not highlight every number or keyword. There is likely irrelevant information in the word problem.

3. Summarize the information

Read the problem aloud, highlight the key information and then summarize the information. Students can do this in their heads or write down a quick summary.  Summaries should include only the important information and be in simple terms that help contextualize the problem.

4. Determine the unknown

A common problem that students have when solving a word problem is misunderstanding what they are solving. Determine what the unknown information is before finding the answer.  Often, a word problem contains a question where you can find the unknown information you need to solve. For example, in the question ‘How many apples are left?’ students need to find the number of apples left over.

5. Make a plan

Once students understand the context of the word problem, have dentified the important information and determined the unknown, they can make a plan to solve it.  The plan will depend on the type of problem. Some problems involve more than one step to solve them as some require more than one answer.  Encourage students to make a list of each step they need to take to solve the problem before getting started.

Strategies for solving the problem 

1. draw a model or diagram.

Students may find it useful to draw a model, picture, diagram, or other visual aid to help with the problem solving process.  It can help to visualize the problem to understand the relationships between the numbers in the problem. In turn, this helps students see the solution.

Similarly, you could draw a model to represent the objects in the problem:

2. Act it out

This particular strategy is applicable at any grade level but is especially helpful in math investigation in elementary school . It involves a physical demonstration or students acting out the problem using movements, concrete resources and math manipulatives .  When students act out a problem, they can visualize and contectualize the word problem in another way and secure an understanding of the math concepts.  The examples below show how 1st-grade students could “act out” an addition and subtraction problem:

3. Work backwards

Working backwards is a popular problem-solving strategy. It involves starting with a possible solution and deciding what steps to take to arrive at that solution.  This strategy can be particularly helpful when students solve math word problems involving multiple steps. They can start at the end and think carefully about each step taken as opposed to jumping to the end of the problem and missing steps in between.

For example,

To solve this problem working backwards, start with the final condition, which is Sam’s grandmother’s age (71) and work backwards to find Sam’s age. Subtract 20 from the grandmother’s age, which is 71.  Then, divide the result by 3 to get Sam’s age. 71 – 20 = 51 51 ÷ 3 = 17 Sam is 17 years old.

4. Write a number sentence

When faced with a word problem, encourage students to write a number sentence based on the information. This helps translate the information in the word problem into a math equation or expression, which is more easily solved.  It is important to fully understand the context of the word problem and what students need to solve before writing an equation to represent it.

5. Use a formula

Specific formulas help solve many math problems. For example, if a problem asks students to find the area of a rug, they would use the area formula (area = length × width) to solve.   Make sure students know the important mathematical formulas they will need in tests and real-life. It can help to display these around the classroom or, for those who need more support, on students’ desks.

Strategies for checking the solution 

Once the problem is solved using an appropriate strategy, it is equally important to check the solution to ensure it is correct and makes sense. 

There are many strategies to check the solution. The strategy for a specific problem is dependent on the problem type and math content involved.

Here are five strategies to help students check their solutions. 

1. Use the Inverse Operation

For simpler problems, a quick and easy problem solving strategy is to use the inverse operation. For example, if the operation to solve a word problem is 56 ÷ 8 = 7 students can check the answer is correct by multiplying 8 × 7. As good practice, encourage students to use the inverse operation routinely to check their work. 

2. Estimate to check for reasonableness

Once students reach an answer, they can use estimation or rounding to see if the answer is reasonable.  Round each number in the equation to a number that’s close and easy to work with, usually a multiple of ten.  For example, if the question was 216 ÷ 18 and the quotient was 12, students might round 216 to 200 and round 18 to 20. Then use mental math to solve 200 ÷ 20, which is 10.  When the estimate is clear the two numbers are close. This means your answer is reasonable. 

3. Plug-In Method

This method is particularly useful for algebraic equations. Specifically when working with variables.  To use the plug-in method, students solve the problem as asked and arrive at an answer. They can then plug the answer into the original equation to see if it works. If it does, the answer is correct.

If students use the equation 20m+80=300 to solve this problem and find that m = 11, they can plug that value back into the equation to see if it is correct. 20m + 80 = 300 20 (11) + 80 = 300 220 + 80 = 300 300 = 300 ✓

4. Peer Review

Peer review is a great tool to use at any grade level as it promotes critical thinking and collaboration between students. The reviewers can look at the problem from a different view as they check to see if the problem was solved correctly.   Problem solvers receive immediate feedback and the opportunity to discuss their thinking with their peers. This strategy is effective with mixed-ability partners or similar-ability partners. In mixed-ability groups, the partner with stronger skills provides guidance and support to the partner with weaker skills, while reinforcing their own understanding of the content and communication skills.  If partners have comparable ability levels and problem-solving skills, they may find that they approach problems differently or have unique insights to offer each other about the problem-solving process.

5. Use a Calculator

A calculator can be introduced at any grade level but may be best for older students who already have a foundational understanding of basic math operations. Provide students with a calculator to allow them to check their solutions independently, accurately, and quickly. Since calculators are so readily available on smartphones and tablets, they allow students to develop practical skills that apply to real-world situations.  

Step-by-step problem-solving processes for your classroom

In his book, How to Solve It , published in 1945, mathematician George Polya introduced a 4-step process to solve problems. 

Polya’s 4 steps include:

• Understand the problem
• Devise a plan
• Carry out the plan

Today, in the style of George Polya, many problem-solving strategies use various acronyms and steps to help students recall. 

Many teachers create posters and anchor charts of their chosen process to display in their classrooms. They can be implemented in any elementary, middle school or high school classroom. 

Here are 5 problem-solving strategies to introduce to students and use in the classroom.

How Third Space Learning improves problem-solving 

Resources .

Third Space Learning offers a free resource library is filled with hundreds of high-quality resources. A team of experienced math experts carefully created each resource to develop students mental arithmetic, problem solving and critical thinking. 

Explore the range of problem solving resources for 2nd to 8th grade students. 

One-on-one tutoring 

Third Space Learning offers one-on-one math tutoring to help students improve their math skills. Highly qualified tutors deliver high-quality lessons aligned to state standards. 

Former teachers and math experts write all of Third Space Learning’s tutoring lessons. Expertly designed lessons follow a “my turn, follow me, your turn” pedagogy to help students move from guided instruction and problem-solving to independent practice. 

Throughout each lesson, tutors ask higher-level thinking questions to promote critical thinking and ensure students are developing a deep understanding of the content and problem-solving skills.

Problem-solving

Educators can use many different strategies to teach problem-solving and help students develop and carry out a plan when solving math problems. Incorporate these math strategies into any math program and use them with a variety of math concepts, from whole numbers and fractions to algebra. 

Teaching students how to choose and implement problem-solving strategies helps them develop mathematical reasoning skills and critical thinking they can apply to real-life problem-solving.

READ MORE : 8 Common Core math examples

There are many different strategies for problem-solving; Here are 5 problem-solving strategies: • draw a model  • act it out  • work backwards  • write a number sentence • use a formula

Here are 10 strategies of problem-solving: • Read the problem aloud • Highlight keywords • Summarize the information • Determine the unknown • Make a plan • Draw a model  • Act it out  • Work backwards  • Write a number sentence • Use a formula

1. Understand the problem 2. Devise a plan 3. Carry out the plan 4. Look back

Some strategies you can use to solve challenging math problems are: breaking the problem into smaller parts, using diagrams or models, applying logical reasoning, and trying different approaches.

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Career Readiness | Middle School | Critical Thinking

Problem Solving Lesson Plans Your Middle School Students Will Love

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July 11th, 2022 | 5 min. read

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Need resources for teaching problem solving in your middle school career readiness classes?

As a career readiness curriculum developer, middle school teachers often ask if we have resources to help teach problem solving.

While our digital curriculum includes content on critical thinking, decision making, and other 21st Century skills, our solution may not be the best fit for everyone.

Our Middle School Digital Literacy & Career Exploration curriculum is designed to teach dozens of skills such as professionalism, communication, digital literacy, and more.

However, some teachers are only looking for supplemental problem solving lessons and activities to add to their existing curriculum.

To help you teach these skills, we've found four popular providers of problem solving lessons and activities for middle school:

• TeacherVision
• Ed Creative

All of these resources have both pros and cons, so looking at each one individually is key when planning your problem solving lessons!

1. TeacherVision's Problem Solving Lesson

TeacherVision is a digital resource that offers free online lesson plans, including a problem solving lesson.

This problem solving lesson has two key objectives:

• Students will be introduced to a problem-solving procedure
• Students will participate in a structured practice of resolving conflict

Along with the lesson objectives, you'll find the materials list and the procedure for completing the lesson.

That makes TeacherVision a robust resource with an easy-to-follow lesson plan for introducing students to problem solving .

On the downside, the lesson is listed as appropriate for students between first and eighth grade.

That means you may want to bulk it up a bit in order to really be relevant and engaging to your middle school students .

2. Ed Creative's Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Lesson Plans

Ed Creative is a subdivision of Education.com that collects lesson plans from other online resources.

That makes Ed Creative one of the best lesson plan databases online.

It includes a variety of lesson plans and activities to teach creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.

Many of these lessons are intended for children up to eighth grade. That means you'll likely find resources that fit perfectly in your middle school classes.

In addition, some lessons overlap with other subjects you may need to teach in your career readiness classes . For example, one resource is entitled Thinking Critically About Advertising and would tie in well with lessons on media literacy .

The lesson encourages students to consider behind-the-scenes angles when presented with ads, encouraging them to think critically and logically about why the ad is what it is.

Still, these resources are a little disorganized which means it will take you time to review each option and decide if it's a good fit.

3. BrainPOP's Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Activities

BrainPOP is an educational resource provider with many teaching resources for every grade level.

In this case, their critical thinking and problem solving lesson plan is intended for any sixth to 12th grade student.

In this lesson, students will:

• Apply critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making skills to online gameplay and writing tasks
• Analyze situations from multiple perspectives and viewpoints
• Distinguish between facts, opinions, and solutions
• Demonstrate 21st Century skills such as global awareness, information literacy, communication, and collaboration

BrainPOP lays out the procedure, materials, and everything else you’ll need for the lesson — even time approximations!

That thorough approach to detail makes it easier to plan different tasks you’ll carry out throughout the lesson each day.

Even if the lesson takes a full week, you can still plan appropriately and stay on task.

Unfortunately, BrainPOP doesn’t have many downloadable resources you can print and use in the classroom.

4. TEDEd's Resources for Teaching Problem Solving Skills

TEDEd is an active advocate of education and learning materials. That’s why they have an enormous section of their website dedicated to problem solving skills .

In this section, you’ll find videos and interactive tasks that walk students through riddles, problems, and complications to find desirable results.

Every riddle and problem has an answer, so you don’t have to worry about figuring it out yourself. Even better, you can be sure there’s a practical solution to every issue.

Best of all, you leave students with the freedom to innovate their own solutions, potentially creating a new solution that a riddle maker hadn’t considered.

The varying complexity and length of these lessons make them ideal for various grade levels. However, you can choose to filter specifically for middle school.

On the downside, these aren’t literal “lesson plans.” TEDEd provides many resources, but they’re not contextualized for a classroom.

Instead, you’ll have to build your lessons around these resources to get the best results.

This makes TEDEd an excellent catchall whenever you need problem solving materials.

You’ll just have to do a little extra work to make it classroom ready.

Which Problem Solving Lessons Are Best?

Overall, there isn't a simple "best" option for teaching problem solving in middle school. It all depends on the needs of you, your course, and your students.

Each resource we've shared could be a great addition to your career readiness curriculum.

However, if you need a curriculum that includes problem solving skills among other career readiness topics, consider looking into iCEV’s career readiness and digital literacy curriculum.

Thousands of teachers like you use the curriculum to teach career exploration , personal financial literacy , communication skills and more.

Overall, it helps you save time with planning, assessing, and grading student work all while maximizing student understanding and information retention.

Wondering if iCEV could work for your middle school classroom? Check out our Middle School digital Literacy & Career Exploration curriculum :

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Math Puzzles For Middle School Students: Virtual And Hands-On Ideas

March 8, 2024 //  by  Nicole Muir

Step up your next math class kicking off the lesson with a fun puzzle. Beginning with a math puzzle will engage your students with a good warm-up to ensure they are prepared for the upcoming lesson. Your learners can work independently, in small groups, or as a class to solve these math puzzles. We’ve rounded up 50 of the most challenging math puzzles that we’re sure your middle school students will love. Have a look and see which ones you could try out in your class!

1. Numbers in a Triangle

Working with the numbers 1 to 9 only, your kiddies will need to manipulate these numbers to ensure that the sum of numbers on every side of the triangle is the same. Your learners might need to give this puzzle a couple of tries!

Learn More: Homeschool Math

2. Minesweeper

This minesweeper game is the perfect example of a puzzle that will strengthen your learners’  problem-solving skills . You can print off copies for them to work with or they can work on laptops. They’ll love this fun and interactive problem-solving game!

Learn More: Puzzle Madness

Sudoku is a classic math puzzle that will work on your students’ critical thinking skills . It’s a great option for your class because you’ll never run out of puzzles, and allows them to work on basic math skills with numbers 1-9.

Learn More: Web Sudoku

4. Salamander Line Up

This seemingly impossible logic puzzle is ideal for your middle school-aged students and will have them hooked!  Print this worksheet out and have them cut and paste the salamanders or you go through it together on your SMARTBoard. Can they figure out the correct layout?

Learn More: Math Salamanders

5. Pattern Puzzle

This task is perfect to assign as an independent activity for your fast finishers to work on if they’ve completed all of the assigned work from your most recent lesson. Can they figure out the link between the numbers in the puzzle?

Learn More: Math In English

6. Newton’s Cross

Give your class a mental workout with this Newton’s cross puzzle! Using the given numbers, this activity asks your kiddos to work through a cross-shaped grid puzzle. With more than one puzzle on each page, this is sure to keep them busy and they’ll love comparing their answers!!

7. Math Puzzle Book

A physical puzzle book can be a super resource to have on hand in your classroom.  You can easily photocopy pages from the book to give your kiddos without the hassle of hoping your computer manages to send a downloaded document to the printer! Books such as this one contain lots of math puzzles that will help your class with a range of math topics.

Learn More: Amazon

8. What is the Weight?

These puzzles are sure to challenge every single one of your kiddos. They’ll enjoy attempting to solve these adorable math puzzles that cover a range of topics. With over 100 different puzzles, this is the perfect resource for some math starters!

Learn More: Mental UP

9. Math Equation Crossword Puzzle

A spin on the traditional crossword, this math-based puzzle asks your learners to solve math equations to complete the puzzle! They’ll love the chance to work independently or in groups on this task. 

Learn More: Education World

10. Colorku

If you’re looking for a math-themed puzzle without numbers, check out Colorku puzzles . These puzzles get your kids to focus on strengthening critical skills such as analyzing, sequencing, and reasoning, all of which will help them to better understand math lessons. This hands-on, visual puzzle is an amazing way to use concrete materials for older kids!

Learn More: Color Ku

11. Expanded Form Puzzle

This type of puzzle adapts well to work with middle school learners if they’re struggling with place value and decimals. Print out these bright and colorful templates or create your own and have them expand the given numbers by piecing together the puzzle. 

Learn More: You’ve Got This Math

12. Solve the Addition Equations

Build on your middle school students’ foundation of skills by having them solve these shape addition puzzles. These types of puzzles encourage them to problem-solve as they try to work out what the value of each shape is in the equation to work out the answer. You could even have them come up with their own versions!

Learn More: Mom Junction

13. Popsicle Stick Puzzles

Create these fun popsicle stick puzzles for your class or let them design their own! Using easily accessible and versatile materials,  these puzzles are completely customizable and can cater to the different levels of learning in your classroom. Grab some markers and get started!

Learn More: Play Ideas

14. Solvemoji

Speak in a language your kiddies understand with this fun emoji algebra puzzle! This fun way to gamify your next math lesson will be sure to have them hooked and understand more complex aspects in no time!

Learn More: Solvemoji

15. Playing Card Puzzle

Can your kiddos solve this playing card brain teaser? Get them working in groups and give them some playing card printouts to organize as directed so that all lines have exactly 15 hearts in them. To make it a whole-class endeavor, you could print big versions and have them on your wall or board. 

Learn More: Math = Love

16. Solve Me Mobiles

This website has many different mobile puzzles for your kids to work on. While creating balanced equations to keep the mobiles level,  they’ll be engaged by bright colors and interesting shapes. They’ll love the chance to take their math learning online with this fun game! 

Learn More: Solve Me Mobiles

17. Find the Correct Timing

Kids love a chance to play games on their devices during school hours. Why not make it a win-win and set them up with this math problem-solving game? Your kiddos will use their logical reasoning skills to solve this math puzzle of boiling an egg for the correct amount of time! With ten levels, this will keep them going for hours!

Learn More: Transum

18. How Many Squares?

It’s all about patterns next! Have your middle schoolers hunt for squares and see how many sets of 4 dots they can join to make as many as they can. Children of all ages will love this puzzle!

19. Tangram Puzzles

This excellent digital resource tests your students’ spatial reasoning skills! They’ll work with the pieces on the website by manipulating them as needed to recreate the image shown. Can they work through each of the different 25 different puzzles?

Learn More: Math Playground

20. Subtraction Number Puzzle

This type of number puzzle helps your kids to improve their subtraction skills. Your class will attempt to solve the equation and fill in the question mark answer. Why not print and laminate this page to make an excellent addition to your math center?

Learn More: Brain Fans

21. Fruit Algebra

There are multiple visual components to this puzzle making it a great choice for your middle school class! Your kiddies will need to really think each part of this puzzle through to fully solve the equation. This puzzle makes for a great starter activity to warm up your learners’ for your main lesson!

Learn More: Byju’s

 22. Logic Puzzles

Logic puzzles are a fun way to help your students sharpen their critical thinking and reasoning skills. Using logic, they’ll determine which items can be eliminated or positively identified. They can then use these clues to figure out the information needed to match up all of the labels and categories!  

Learn More: Cognitive Cardio Math

 23. Trominoes

This puzzle requires two players! Challenge your kiddos to use their critical thinking skills to place 3-square shapes on the game board. Each player uses a different color and the one who is able to place the last shape on the board wins the game.  

Learn More: What We Do All Day

24. Cereal Factoring

Mathematical concepts like factoring can be difficult for some of your students to grasp. This fun, hands-on practice is an effective way to get them thinking and visualizing factoring! All you need to do is provide the printed worksheets and some breakfast cereal.

Learn More: Scaffolded Math

 25. Linear Equation Puzzles

Make a game of solving mathematical equations! As your kids practice solving linear equations, they can use this puzzle to match up the equation with the answer. This printable resource comes complete with a recording sheet for them to show their work. Practical and fun! 

Learn More: Math Geek Mama

26. Digital Escape Room

Your kiddos will have tons of fun solving these equations as they try to make it out of the “escape room”!  There’s even the option to make it more difficult to advance through each level so that they can practice different concepts from various lessons.

27. Tarsia Puzzles

It’s alive! Bring some spooky fun to math around Halloween! These puzzles are perfect for your middle school students to practice some of their operational concepts like multiplication facts. They’ll need to solve the equations and then match the tiles up at the same time to reveal this well-known character!

Learn More: Hojo’s Teaching Adventures

28. Factoring Match Up

Challenge your learners to become masters of factoring!  Have them match up the broken-down elements with each factoring equation. This puzzle is a great activity for different ability levels as you’ll be giving them the answers and they’ll just need to decide where they fit. 

Learn More: Mr. Williams Maths

29. Squares, Square Roots, and Cubes

Thinking through cubes, squares, and square roots can be quite a task! This active learning project is a fun puzzle that your students can use to get some practice with solving these problems! This printable puzzle is perfect to send home as homework or as a fast-finishing task for kids who race through their classwork! 

Learn More: Worksheet Fun

30. Geometric Task Cards

These task cards are a great collaborative activity for your kiddos!  They are geometry-based and give them practice with coordinates, turns, and angles.  They’ll have the opportunity to solve so many different problems and really get to grips with these concepts in this challenging activity.

Learn More: Mrs. E Teaches Math

31. Geometric Transformation Pennant 

Each member of your class will have a vital piece of the puzzle with this fun math puzzle. On each pennant, they’ll have the chance to write in coordinates and translate that into their own shape. Hang all the finished products up in your room to form a cute math-themed banner! 

32. Guess Who?

Turn the classic game of “Guess Who?” into a fun math puzzle! As your kids work to solve equations, match tables with graphs, and use integers, they can keep a recording sheet to show their work. They’ll eliminate answers until they find the correct one that matches their selected card. Who knew math could be this fun?!

Learn More: Occasionally Elementary

33. Two-Step Equation Dominoes

This fun math puzzle is the perfect practice for solving two-step equations. First, have your students solve the equations and then they’ll be able to match up all the dominoes. Remind them to start at the top starting point so they can be sure the paper dominoes all go to their correct place! 

Learn More: Math in Demand

34. Secret Code

Secret code puzzles are always a fun treat! Have your learners put on their detective hats and solve the equations to reveal letters that correspond to the answers. As they fill in the answers, they can match up the letters and spell out a secret message! 

Learn More: Teaching in Room 6

35. Addition Squares

These math puzzles challenge your kiddos to not only practice their addition skills but also to work on problem-solving! They’ll need to check their work carefully as they add in missing numbers, making sure that the numbers line up correctly in the boxes to give the answer at the end. 

Learn More: Kelly McCowen

36. Fraction Operations Puzzle

These fraction puzzles are ideal for getting your kids to work together! As they solve fractions, they will color the pieces and place them together to form a picture. These puzzles will see them work on their communication, collaboration, cooperation, creativity, and math skills all in one go!

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

37. Integer Maze

Can your kiddos find their way out of this integer maze? They’ll need to work methodically to solve each equation and follow the correct answer to the next problem until they make it to the end. Why not let them solve these with a partner and have them check each other’s work? 

Learn More: Mr. R’s World Of Math

38. Order of Operations Game

This activity could be a puzzle or a game, depending on how you use it. Provide your students with some strips of paper with numbers written on them. Next, it’s over to them to determine which operation signs go where in order to solve the equations correctly.

Learn More: The Number 21

39. Order of Operations Task Cards

Task cards are a super resource to keep in your classroom and make for great puzzles. They can be used in a large group activity, small group projects, or even independently. Have your kiddies use a recording sheet to track their answers as they practice using the order of operations to solve each task.

Learn More: The Curriculum Corner

40. Exponent Mystery Picture

This challenging yet fun mystery picture puzzle gives your students a chance to practice with exponents. As they solve the equations, they’ll use the color guide to color in each square to reveal the hidden picture! They’ll love the chance to get coloring in the name of math! 

Learn More: Make Sense Of Math

41. How Many Do You See?

This challenging puzzle is a fun activity that can quickly become competitive! Task your students with counting the number of squares; simple, right? Wrong! They might find that each time they count, they realize they’ve missed some! At the end, have your students write down their final answers and share them out loud! 

Learn More: Lilliput Station

42. Kenken Puzzle

This math puzzle is a bit more challenging but we’re sure your learners will love it! They’ll need to use critical thinking skills and knowledge of basic logic puzzles to fill in the squares of this puzzle that has them calling on all their mathematical operations skills! This is a great activity for group work in your classroom as they get to grips with this tricky puzzle. 

Learn More: Prodigy

43. Digital Area and Perimeter Challenge

Perimeter and area are concepts that can be sticking points for some learners. With this digital puzzle challenge, they’ll gain plenty of practice in calculating area and perimeter as they work to solve problems and match up the pieces of each puzzle. They’ll be mastering these essential topics in no time at all!

Learn More: Teach Starter

44. Fraction/Percentage Triangles

The dreaded decimals and percentages topics; these concepts can be really challenging for your learners!  These simple fraction puzzles are a super way to turn this scary concept into a game as they work to match up the decimals, fractions, and percentages! For an added challenge, you could even create a word problem to go with each puzzle. 

Learn More: Teach Beside Me

45. Solve It Maze

Get creative with algebra by incorporating this mathematical maze puzzle! As your learners solve each equation, they’ll move through the maze until they reach the end. This is a super fun way to have them practice their algebra and will be a welcome change from writing out rows of equations in their workbooks! 

Learn More: My Math Resources

46. Real-Life Percentages Paper Chain

One completely essential mathematical skill that is often overlooked and underappreciated is personal finance. Using this math chain, your students must solve percentages in real-life scenarios. They’ll work out percentages in everyday situations like tipping or working out discounted sale prices!

Learn More: Idea Galaxy Teacher

47. Order of Operations Matching Puzzles

As your kiddos progress into higher mathematics, they must be familiar with the order of operations. These easy-to-make math puzzles are good practice for this skill! As they solve one piece of the puzzle, they must find the matching piece that has the answer. 

48. Hex It Out Puzzles

These puzzles are a great way for your kiddies to practice multiplication skills.  They’ll need to think beyond just the numerical answer and must also arrange the cards so that the equivalent multiplications match up. This puzzle grows larger and larger as they make more matches!  

Learn More: Teaching With Jillian Starr

49. Adding Integers Matho Game

Negative numbers can be intimidating for some learners, as they usually have a little less practice with them. Matho makes this concept a little less scary and a little more fun! You can call out calculations and if your kids have the answer on their card they can mark it off. The winner is the first one to have a full row or a full house!

50. Math Sort 

A math sort is a great way to practice recently covered skills with your class! You can create cards that reflect your class’ current skills and let them decide how they should be sorted into true and false columns. These mini-puzzles are an excellent way to consolidate learning!

Learn More: Math Tech Connections

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Home » Blog » Lesson Plans » Middle School Size of the Problem Worksheet

Middle School Size of the Problem Worksheet

As school counselors, one of our key responsibilities is equipping students with essential life skills. Problem-solving is a crucial skill that empowers individuals to overcome challenges and find effective solutions. However, before students can tackle a problem, they need to understand the size of the problem at hand.

In this blog post, we will explore strategies for teaching middle school students to determine the size of the problem. By helping them assess whether a problem is big or small, we enable them to approach problem-solving with clarity and confidence. We will provide a no-prep lesson plan and engaging activities that can be easily integrated into your counseling sessions. Let’s embark on this journey to empower our students to become skilled problem solvers!

Understanding the Size of the Problem

Before delving into problem-solving strategies, it’s important for students to recognize that not all problems are created equal. By teaching them to assess the size of the problem, we help them develop a more nuanced perspective on challenges. This skill allows them to determine the appropriate level of attention, effort, and resources to allocate.

• Encourage students to ask themselves questions such as, “How much does this problem affect me or others?” and “How significant are the consequences of this problem?”
• Introduce the concept of “small problems” that can be handled independently and “big problems” that may require adult assistance or collaborative problem-solving.
• Help students recognize the emotional toll different problems can have.
• Encourage them to consider their emotional reactions and the impact on well-being.

Size of the Problem Activity

To effectively teach students about the size of the problem, we have created a comprehensive lesson plan that incorporates hands-on activities and interactive discussions. This no-prep lesson plan can be adapted to suit your counseling sessions and the unique needs of your students.

Lesson Plan: Determining the Size of the Problem

Objective: To help middle school students identify whether a problem is big or small and understand the appropriate response for each.

• Whiteboard or flipchart
• Sticky notes
• “Is this a Big Problem?” Activity from Everyday Speech (downloadable PDF)

Introduction

• Begin by engaging students in a discussion about problem-solving and its importance.
• Explain the concept of determining the size of the problem and finding appropriate solutions.

Small vs. Big Problems

• Create a two-column chart labeled “Small Problems” and “Big Problems.”
• Brainstorm with students and list examples under each category, encouraging them to provide real-life scenarios they have encountered.

Worksheet Activity

• Distribute the “Is this a Big Problem?” worksheet to students.
• Instruct them to think about the scenarios and categorize them as small or big problems.
• Consider asking students to provide brief justifications for their choices.

Group Discussion

• Facilitate a group discussion to share the students’ categorizations and justifications.
• Encourage students to respect different perspectives and challenge their thinking.

Reflection and Closure

• Conclude the lesson by encouraging students to reflect on what they have learned about determining the size of the problem.
• Discuss how this can enhance their problem-solving skills in various aspects of their lives.

Helping Middle Schoolers Determine Size of the Problem

Teaching middle school students to determine the size of the problem is a fundamental step towards developing effective problem-solving skills. By enabling them to differentiate between small and big problems, we empower students to approach challenges with a more strategic mindset. This skill equips them with the ability to allocate appropriate resources, seek assistance when needed, and make informed decisions.

By utilizing the provided lesson plan and engaging activities, you can guide your students through the process of understanding the size of the problem. Remember, fostering problem-solving skills requires ongoing reinforcement and application. Encourage your students to practice assessing the size of problems in their daily lives, reinforcing their ability to adapt and tackle challenges.

With these essential problem-solving skills, our students will grow into resilient individuals who confidently navigate the complexities of life. Let’s equip them with the tools they need to thrive!

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10 Best Problem Solving Activities For Middle School

Published on april 24, 2017 at 8:43 am by amber hewitt in lists , news.

If you’re a teacher or a parent looking to engage young students in a more interesting way, you might like this list of the best problem solving activities for middle school .

I wonder if middle schoolers could solve my life problems. Can they file my taxes or pay my rent? Those are some real problems that I have and I think they could be somewhat fun activities for middle schoolers. It’s interesting how problem-solving scenarios change as we age because I genuinely can’t identify with the struggle of theoretical problems involving trains or the alphabet, but I’m sure I enjoyed them when I was younger. I think my friends and I really used to love finding these things and solving them together, which is kind of a cute group activity.

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Problem solving is a great way to strengthen and train the brain for more difficult things as we age. They teach you teamwork, logic, and skill, which are all extremely important for developing minds. Even into adulthood you should continue solving theoretical problems like these because they’ll keep your brain strong and focused so your other issues like “how late can I sleep while still getting to work on time?” or “how much money will I have in my bank account if I order dinner every single night this week?” Those are obviously much more challenging than the fun problem-solving activities for preschoolers , or even this list with activities for kids in middle school.

In order to create this list, we used Concordia University and IceBreaker as some primary sources. We took the suggestions that were the highest ranked on both sources and averaged their rankings. If they were on both lists, they’re at a higher position on ours. Overall, each of these activities is well suited for middle school-aged children who need a little mental exercise.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best problem solving activities for middle school.

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10 Helpful Worksheet Ideas for Primary School Math Lessons

M athematics is a fundamental subject that shapes the way children think and analyze the world. At the primary school level, laying a strong foundation is crucial. While hands-on activities, digital tools, and interactive discussions play significant roles in learning, worksheets remain an essential tool for reinforcing concepts, practicing skills, and assessing understanding. Here’s a look at some helpful worksheets for primary school math lessons.

Comparison Chart Worksheets

Comparison charts provide a visual means for primary school students to grasp relationships between numbers or concepts. They are easy to make at www.storyboardthat.com/create/comparison-chart-template , and here is how they can be used:

• Quantity Comparison: Charts might display two sets, like apples vs. bananas, prompting students to determine which set is larger.
• Attribute Comparison: These compare attributes, such as different shapes detailing their number of sides and characteristics.
• Number Line Comparisons: These help students understand number magnitude by placing numbers on a line to visualize their relative sizes.
• Venn Diagrams: Introduced in later primary grades, these diagrams help students compare and contrast two sets of items or concepts.
• Weather Charts: By comparing weather on different days, students can learn about temperature fluctuations and patterns.

Number Recognition and Counting Worksheets

For young learners, recognizing numbers and counting is the first step into the world of mathematics. Worksheets can offer:

• Number Tracing: Allows students to familiarize themselves with how each number is formed.
• Count and Circle: Images are presented, and students have to count and circle the correct number.
• Missing Numbers: Sequences with missing numbers that students must fill in to practice counting forward and backward.

Basic Arithmetic Worksheets

Once students are familiar with numbers, they can start simple arithmetic. 

• Addition and Subtraction within 10 or 20: Using visual aids like number lines, counters, or pictures can be beneficial.
• Word Problems: Simple real-life scenarios can help students relate math to their daily lives.
• Skip Counting: Worksheets focused on counting by 2s, 5s, or 10s.

Geometry and Shape Worksheets

Geometry offers a wonderful opportunity to relate math to the tangible world.

• Shape Identification: Recognizing and naming basic shapes such as squares, circles, triangles, etc.
• Comparing Shapes: Worksheets that help students identify differences and similarities between shapes.
• Pattern Recognition: Repeating shapes in patterns and asking students to determine the next shape in the sequence.

Measurement Worksheets

Measurement is another area where real-life application and math converge.

• Length and Height: Comparing two or more objects and determining which is longer or shorter.
• Weight: Lighter vs. heavier worksheets using balancing scales as visuals.
• Time: Reading clocks, days of the week, and understanding the calendar.

Data Handling Worksheets

Even at a primary level, students can start to understand basic data representation.

• Tally Marks: Using tally marks to represent data and counting them.
• Simple Bar Graphs: Interpreting and drawing bar graphs based on given data.
• Pictographs: Using pictures to represent data, which can be both fun and informative.

Place Value Worksheets

Understanding the value of each digit in a number is fundamental in primary math.

• Identifying Place Values: Recognizing units, tens, hundreds, etc., in a given number.
• Expanding Numbers: Breaking down numbers into their place value components, such as understanding 243 as 200 + 40 + 3.
• Comparing Numbers: Using greater than, less than, or equal to symbols to compare two numbers based on their place values.

Fraction Worksheets

Simple fraction concepts can be introduced at the primary level.

• Identifying Fractions: Recognizing half, quarter, third, etc., of shapes or sets.
• Comparing Fractions: Using visual aids like pie charts or shaded drawings to compare fractions.
• Simple Fraction Addition: Adding fractions with the same denominator using visual aids.

Money and Real-Life Application Worksheets

Understanding money is both practical and a great way to apply arithmetic.

• Identifying Coins and Notes: Recognizing different denominations.
• Simple Transactions: Calculating change, adding up costs, or determining if there’s enough money to buy certain items.
• Word Problems with Money: Real-life scenarios involving buying, selling, and saving.

Logic and Problem-Solving Worksheets

Even young students can hone their problem-solving skills with appropriate challenges.

• Sequences and Patterns: Predicting the next item in a sequence or recognizing a pattern.
• Logical Reasoning: Simple puzzles or riddles that require students to think critically.
• Story Problems: Reading a short story and solving a math-related problem based on the context.

Worksheets allow students to practice at their own pace, offer teachers a tool for assessment, and provide parents with a glimpse into their child’s learning progression. While digital tools and interactive activities are gaining prominence in education, the significance of worksheets remains undiminished. They are versatile and accessible and, when designed creatively, can make math engaging and fun for young learners.

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