Using maths puzzles regularly in lessons in grades 2 to 4
How teachers can use maths puzzle tasks regularly in grades 2 to 4, for example as a start to the day, and discuss the children’s strategies with the class.
In brief: Puzzle tasks are most useful as a fixed routine, for example as a short start to the day several times a week, followed by a discussion of the children’s strategies. What matters more than the number of tasks is that the children get to know and name approaches such as systematic trial, working backwards or drawing up a table. In Mazio Math you put together a puzzle set from the Knobelbox for this, for instance with the “Daily warm-up” template, and use “Highlight set” to place it on the class board.
This article is for teachers of grades 2 to 4 who want to use puzzle tasks with the whole class, beyond extra work for fast finishers. It describes why problem solving is part of the German national education standards, what a puzzle routine can look like and how Mazio Math supports it.
Why puzzle tasks belong in maths lessons
In Germany, the KMK national education standards for primary mathematics list “solving problems mathematically” among the process-related competences. This refers to tasks that cannot be solved routinely with existing knowledge. As suitable heuristics for primary school, the standards name above all systematic trial, using analogies, working backwards, making sketches and using tables. Children are expected to develop ideas for solutions, choose strategies and reflect on their approaches.
Problem solving is learned across many tasks. Children need many opportunities to use similar strategies in new contexts, and time to talk about them. That is why a fixed routine is worthwhile.
Strategies children learn through puzzle tasks
| Strategy | Example puzzle task | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Systematic trial | Which two numbers add up to 12 and differ by 4? | from 2 |
| Drawing up a table | How many different ice-cream cups with two scoops can you make from three flavours? | from 2 |
| Working backwards | I think of a number, double it and subtract 5. The result is 11. What number did I think of? | from 3 |
| Drawing a sketch | A fence is 12 m long, with a post every 3 m. How many posts are there? | from 3 |
| Using patterns | How does the sequence 1, 4, 9, 16 continue, and why? | from 3 |
| Using an analogy | What does this task have in common with yesterday’s? | from 2 |
The grades are guidelines. Many tasks can be made easier or harder by changing the numbers.
A puzzle routine for the start of the day
- Show the task (1 minute): Read the task aloud or show it on the board. Clarify unfamiliar words and leave the method to the children.
- Puzzle alone or in pairs (5 to 8 minutes): The children write down their method, even if they don’t finish.
- Discuss strategies (5 minutes): Two children with different methods present them. Ask: “How did you go about it?” and “What could you have done differently?”
- Name the strategy (1 minute): Record the name of the strategy, for example on a poster called “Our puzzle tools”.
Two or three times a week is enough for a routine. Over time, children can learn which tool fits a new task. The discussion of the methods is a central part, because this is where the children learn from each other.
How to use puzzle tasks with Mazio Math
The Knobelbox in Mazio Math develops mathematical problem solving. Short tasks from all five content areas get children thinking, from sudoku to combinatorics. You put together puzzle sets from these tasks.
Creating a puzzle set for the start of the day:
- Under “Lessons”, choose the class and tap “Knobelbox” on the shelf.
- Choose a template: “Daily warm-up” fills the set with 5 tasks, “Competence focus” with tasks from one area, “Puzzle mix” with 20 tasks, and “Automatic” draws on the class’s data.
- Adjust the task types, difficulty, number of tasks and order. With “Adaptive”, the difficulty adapts to each child; alternatively, choose level 1 to 4.
- “Highlight set” saves the set and places it on the class board straight away. “Save only” stores it under “Your sets” for another day.
- Using the three dots on the row, you can write a note, such as “Write down your method on the slip of paper”, and set the dates from which and until which the set is visible.
After logging in, the children see the set first on their board. The row shows how many children have finished. Even when everyone has the same set, as a rule no two children work on exactly the same tasks.
Puzzles in the Basiscamp. The Basiscamp has worlds for grades 1 to 4. In “Patterns”, the children continue growing patterns; in “Balance”, they balance scales and mobiles; in “Puzzles”, they solve number crosses, logic puzzles and tasks with gears.
After the puzzles. Under “Results”, the Knobelbox evaluation shows tasks, rounds and active children, and the tabs “Competences”, “Task types”, “Children” and “Errors” show which task types are running above or below expectations. This can show you which kind of task to take up in the next discussion. The “Automatic” template puts together a set from the class’s data. You decide what goes on the board.
An example from grade 3. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the lesson starts with a “Daily warm-up” puzzle set of 5 tasks with the difficulty set to “Adaptive”. The children work on tablets for eight minutes and note their methods on a slip of paper. Then the teacher picks a task from the set that occupied many children and asks two children to show their strategy at the board. On Fridays, a new card goes up on the “Our puzzle tools” poster.
When mistakes happen. If a child makes a mistake, the learning assistant Mazio helps directly in the task, with a question, with markings in the picture and, if needed, with a given partial step. He does not give the solution. The child takes the next step on their own.
Next step. Further routines, including the start of the day with a puzzle set, are described in Mazio Math in the classroom: routines from the start of the day to misconceptions. How to challenge fast finishers with puzzle tasks is covered in the article on puzzle tasks and open problems for fast finishers. Content by grade is on the pages Maths in grades 1 and 2 (in German) and Maths in grades 3 and 4 (in German). You can create an account under register for free. Using Mazio Math with a class is currently available to schools in Germany; if your school is in another country, registration records your interest.
Frequently asked questions
How often should puzzle tasks be used in lessons?
A short puzzle phase two or three times a week is enough for a routine. Always plan a few minutes afterwards to discuss the methods, because that is where the children get to know the strategies.
Are puzzle tasks only for high-attaining children?
No. In the German national education standards, problem solving is a competence for all children. Good puzzle tasks have an easy way in. In Mazio Math, with the “Adaptive” setting, the difficulty of a puzzle set adapts to each child.
Does Mazio Math have puzzle tasks for grade 2?
Yes. The Knobelbox contains tasks from all five content areas, and the Basiscamp worlds on patterns, balance and puzzles are designed for grades 1 to 4.