Math Riddles

Riddles & Mini-Poster ath s M That Build Early Problem-Solving Skills
by Teresa Cornell
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Math Riddles & Mini-Posters That Build Early Problem-Solving Skills Teresa Cornell, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Dedication
To DonnieThanks for all your help, support, and love. To PattiWithout your encouragement, I would not have written this book.
Scholastic Inc. grants teachers permission to photocopy the contents of this book for classroom use only. No other part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., 555 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.
Cover design by Josu Castilleja Interior design by Sydney Wright Cover and interior artwork by Maxie Chambliss ISBN: 0-439-16236-X Copyright 2001 by Teresa Cornell All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc. Printed in the U.S.A.
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Meeting the NCTM Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 How to Use This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Using Math Riddles and Mini-Posters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Sample Lesson: A Teacher-Student Dialogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Apple Picking Riddles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Pumpkin Patch Riddles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Tom Turkey Riddles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Gingerbread Man Riddles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Snowy Day Friends Riddles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Sweetheart Valentine Riddles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Breezy Day Kites Riddles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Spring Flowers Riddles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Full-Color Mini-Posters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pages 41-48
Welcome to Math Riddles & Mini-Posters That Build Early Problem-Solving Skills, a book developed specifically to help you teach math problem-solving strategies in your K2 classroom. To help weave problem-solving into your mathematics program easily, this book features lesson ideas, colorful mini-posters and rebus-style math riddle cards on favorite seasonal topics, including apples, pumpkins, snowmen, kites, and more. The engaging activities in this book will help you provide your students with lots of opportunities to practice deductive reasoning, identify similarities and differences, develop familiarity with vocabulary specific to logical reasoning, and learn important mathematical concepts. Some of these concepts include: I number sense L number words L greater than and less than G color words G shapes I directionality I odd and even L patterns L equal and not-equal parts G sums
GI L
Meeting the NCTM Standards
I LG
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) has proposed what primary teachers, K2, should provide for their students in order to grow more proficient in mathematics. NCTMs Principles and Standards 2000 breaks the Standards down into developmentally appropriate groups and outlines specific goals and objectives on which the students are to focus and master in all areas of mathematics. Refer to the chart below to see how the activities in this book have been correlated with the NCTM standards.
ctio ns &
Spa tia
Apple Picking Pumpkin Patch Tom Turkey Gingerbread Man Snowy Day Friends Sweetheart Valentine Breezy Day Kites Spring Flowers
x x x x x x x x x x x
Nu
Riddles and Posters
x x x
x x x x
x x
x x
x x
Sol ving Co mm unic atio n Rea son ing &P roo f Co nne ctio ns Rep rese nta tion
Op
nt
Correlation of Math Concepts to the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM, 2000)
Content Standards
ebr a Alg nse
Process Standards
era tion
Ge om etry &
F ra
mb er &
Pat tern s,
rem e
l Se Pro blem
Me asu
x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x
GI L
Introducing Problem-Solving Strategies
I LG
Before you begin teaching with the riddles and mini-posters in this book, set the groundwork for careful mathematical reasoning with your students. Show each of the mini-posters to your class, giving students several minutes to look at and think about the colorful images on each one. Invite your students to discuss what they see. Welcome their observations. (For an example of a teacher-student dialogue during the problem-solving process, refer to page 7.) Read some math riddles aloud with students. Show them some riddle cards, pointing out the rebus-style illustrations, bolded words, and numerals that they can turn to for support while reading. Take this opportunity to identify any problem-solving vocabulary terms that may be unfamiliar. Then, model how to use those terms as you compare and contrast the mini-poster pictures.
GI L
Working With Students
I LG
Once your class seems ready to tackle problem-solving, choose the mini-poster and riddle card set that best complements the theme your class is studying and the mathematical concepts you are currently teaching. Here is a lesson sequence that you may find helpful:
1.
Select a math riddle card and cover it up with a piece of paper. Let your students see only the mini-poster.
2. Read each clue or individual line of the riddle. 3. Give your students an opportunity to eliminate one
or more of the possible answers.
TEACHER TIP!
If you are sharing the riddle clues with young children or non-readers:
3 Trace or highlight each riddles color
4. Examine the mini-poster as a class. Work together

to determine the correct answer.
5. Discuss how the class arrived at the answer, what

your thought processes were, and the clues you used.
6. Select another riddle card and begin again.

Go through the problem-solving process several times, giving your students experience and confidence using their developing skills.
words in the corresponding color, turning words into graphic clues. 3 Read the riddle aloud to your students. 3 Give plenty of think time between reading the riddles and anticipating an answer.
GI L
Making the Most of a Flexible Format
I LG
Solve just one riddle or solve a whole bunch! The sample lesson included on page 7 takes you through some of the steps kids may take as they learn problem-solving with the mini-posters and riddles in this book. Youre sure to find lots of other ways to use the riddle cards and mini-posters, especially since the riddle cards and mini-posters provide a flexible format in terms of both instruction and class time. As fits your needs, teach problem-solving in small math groups or as
a morning wake-up activity, as class work during independent center time, or even as an interim activity in the few minutes before lunch or dismissal. Once your students are more familiar with solving math riddles using reasoning, put the mini-posters and riddles at an independent learning center. Then, code the riddles with the answers so they can be self-checked. As a variation, ask your students to partner with a friend to determine riddle answers. Invite students to share their answers with the rest of the class by printing their answers on index cards and holding them up.
GI L
Strengthening Students Skills
I LG
Encourage class discussions and dialogues about solving the math riddles in this book. Thinking about the problem-solving strategies they used will not only deepen your students grasp of important math content, it will help them address NCTMs Process Standards. Think Aloud Model how to solve the riddles in effective ways. Let your students be privy to your thoughts as you solve a problem aloud. Share as many of your thought processes as possible, the steps youre inclined to take, and any wrong turns. Write About It Write about the process of problem-solving on a piece of chart paper divided into three columns. Record the riddles clues in the first column, the pictures you can eliminate based on those clues in the second column, and the supporting statements (evidence) that enables you to eliminate them in the third. Brainstorm Invite the students in your class to brainstorm as they solve a riddle aloud. Share each others problem-solving strategies. Be sure to welcome all student contributions. There is usually more than one way to solve a problem. Record which problem-solving techniques work and which dont.
GI L
Extending Learning
I LG
Give your students extra practice with mathematics reasoning using the skill-building activities that follow. Set aside time to: I Provide mini-lessons to review the skills required for each lesson. L Write new riddles, using attributes on the mini-posters as clues. G Challenge students to create their own posters and riddles. I Develop math word walls to help students identify key phrases and math terms, such as more than, less than, equal to, odd, even, and so on. Help all of your students gain valuable experience using higher-order thinking skills of analysis and evaluation by modifying the math riddles in this book to meet their needs. For instance, shortening a riddle to just one or two clues may provide some students with the support they need for riddle-solving success. Increasing the complexity of a riddle may provide other students with an active learning experience that builds on their developing math skills.
TEACHER TIP!
Photocopy each of the riddle cards onto cardstock and laminate them. Then laminate the mini-posters for durability. Keep each riddle card and poster set in a separate file folder. That way, theyll be easy for students to carry to their desks and ready to use at learning centers for years to come.
Sample Lesson:
Teacher-student dialogues give you an opportunity to see your students reasoning unfold. The dialogue that follows is a sample teacher-student exchange that uses Apple Picking Riddle #1 (p. 8) with the companion Apple Picking mini-poster.
Teacher: Today we will be solving a math-riddle problem about apples. Spend a few minutes looking at the pictures of the apples on the poster. Think about how the apples are alike, or the same, and how they are different, not the same. (Allow wait time.) Who can tell me one thing that youve noticed about the apples on this poster? Student #1: Two of the apples are red. Teacher: What colors are the other two? Student #1: One is green and one is yellow. Teacher: Good! Anything else? Student #1: Apple numbers 1 and 3 have one leaf and apple number 2 has two leaves. Teacher: How many leaves does apple 4 have? Student #1: None. Teacher: And what word means none? Student #1: Zero. Teacher: Yes! Who notices something different that we have not discussed? Student #2: Apple number 3 has more teeth than the others. Numbers 1 and 4 have two teeth and apple 2 has zero teeth. Teacher: How about the eyes on the apple pictures? Who can tell me something you noticed about the apples eyes? Student #2: Some eyes are open and some are closed. Apple number 3 has one eye open and one closed. Teacher: Which other apple has closed eyes? Student #2: Apple number 4. The other two apples have open eyes. Teacher: Now I am going to show you one clue. I will read it to you. After I have read the clue, tell me which apple does not fit that clue. Ready? (Reveal the first clue.) Clue number 1, I have less than 2 leaves. (Repeat.) That means were looking for one that does not have less than two leaves. Which apple is that? Student #2: Apple number 2. It has 2 leaves and two is not less than two. Were looking for an apple with less than two leaves. Teacher: And what word means two numbers are the same? Student #2: Equal. Teacher: So, we discovered that apple number 2 does not fit that clue. We will cover it up then. We dont need to see it to solve this riddle. (I like to use sticky notes to cover up the pictures as we eliminate them. That way, the children can focus on the remaining pictures.) Teacher: (Reveal the next clue.) Clue number 2, I am red. (Repeat.) Which apple does not fit this clue? Student #2: Apple number 4. Its red. Teacher: Remember, we are looking for the apple that does not fit the clue. The clue says, I am red. Which apple does not fit this clue? Student #2: Apple number 3. Its not red, its yellow. Teacher: Ready? Here is the last clue! (Reveal the final clue.) My stem points to the right. (Repeat.) Which direction is right? Everyone point to the right. (Teacher observes to be sure students are all pointing right.) Good. That direction is right. Which apple is not pointing right? Student #3: Apple number 1. Its stem points to the left. Teacher: Great! We will cover up apple number 1. Which number apple remains? Students: Apple number 4! Teacher: Lets check to be sure we have solved our math riddle. As I reread each clue, you look at the last apple. If it fits the clue, show me a thumbs-up sign. If it does not fit the clue, show me a thumbs-down. If we have a thumbs-down, well check our riddle clues and apples one more time. Ready? (Reread each clue. As the students respond using their thumb signal, observe their responses.) Teacher: Hooray! We have solved our math riddle. The answer is apple number 4!
Apple Picking Riddle #1

2 I have less than two leaves. I am red. My stem points to the right. Which apple am I?

1 I have one or more teeth. 1 I have one leaf. I am yellow. Which apple am I?
Math Riddles & Mini-Posters That Build Early Problem-Solving Skills Teresa Cornell, Scholastic Teaching Resources 8

My stem does not point right. I have a yellow nose. Both my eyes are closed. Which apple am I?

1 At least one of my eyes is open. My smile is closed. I have an even number of leaves. Which apple am I?

I do not have a red nose. 2 I have two teeth. My stem points to the right. Which apple am I?

My stem points to the left. I have a yellow nose. I am green. Which apple am I?

1 I have more than one tooth. 1 At least one of my eyes is closed. I do not have a leaf. Which apple am I?

1 I have one or more leaves . My stem points to the lef t. 1 Only one of my eyes is open. Which apple am I?
Pumpkin Patch Riddle #1

I have triangle eyes. My stem is green. My nose is a circle. Which pumpkin am I?

1 I have more than one tooth. I have a triangle nose. I have a green stem. Which pumpkin am I?

My nose is a triangle. 1 I have more than one tooth. I have a brown stem. Which pumpkin am I?

I have a triangle nose. I do not have a green stem. 0 I have zero teeth. Which pumpkin am I?

I have triangle eyes. I have an even number of teeth. I have a brown stem. Which pumpkin am I?

1 I have more than one tooth. My stem is green. I have an odd number of teeth. Which pumpkin am I?

3 My nose has three sides. I do not have a green stem. My eyes are square. Which pumpkin am I?

I have a stem. 2 I have two teeth. My nose is an upside-down triangle. Which pumpkin am I?
Tom Turkey #1
4 I have four or more feathers. 2 I have two colors of feathers. I am looking straight ahead. My feet are yellow. Which turkey am I?
Tom Turkey #2
I have yellow feet. I am looking to the left. I have an odd number of feathers. All my feathers are red. Which turkey am I?
Tom Turkey #3
I do not have orange feet. I am looking to the right. I have an odd number of feathers. My beak is open. Which turkey am I?
Tom Turkey #4
6 I have less than six feathers. I have yellow feet. My feathers are all the same color. I am looking to the right. Which turkey am I?
Tom Turkey #5
My feet are yellow. 3 I have more than three feathers. My beak is open. My feathers are in an AB pattern. Which turkey am I?
Tom Turkey #6
I am not looking to the right. My feet are yellow. My beak is closed. I have an even number of feathers. Which turkey am I?
Tom Turkey #7
My feet are yellow. I do not have blue feathers. 1 My feathers are all one color. I have the least number of feathers. Which turkey am I?
Tom Turkey #8
6 I have less than six feathers. My beak is closed. I have an odd number of feathers. I am looking straight ahead. Which turkey am I?
Gingerbread Man Riddle #1

I have icing on both my arms and legs. 3 I have less than three buttons. I have a yellow nose. Which gingerbread man am I?

3 I have less than three buttons. I have a red nose. 2 I have two colors of icing. Which gingerbread man am I?

1 I have one color of icing. 2 I have two buttons. My icing and buttons are the same color. Which gingerbread man am I?

I have buttons. I have a red nose. I have the greatest number of buttons. Which gingerbread man am I?

2 I have at least two buttons. I have a red nose. I have icing on my arms and legs. Which gingerbread man am I?

I have a red nose. 1 I have one color of icing. I have an even number of buttons. Which gingerbread man am I?

1 I have one color of icing. I have an even number of buttons. My buttons are green. Which gingerbread man am I?

I have a red nose. I have pink icing. 0 I have zero buttons. Which gingerbread man am I?
Snowy Day Friends Riddle #1

4 I have less than four buttons. I am not wearing a scarf. I have on green mittens. Which snowman am I?

I am wearing boots. My boots are red. I am not holding a broom. Which snowman am I?

I am wearing mittens. 3 I have less than three buttons. My mittens are blue. Which snowman am I?

I am wearing a hat. 2 I have two buttons. I have blue mittens. Which snowman am I?

I am wearing boots. I have on a hat. My nose points left. Which snowman am I?

I am wearing mittens. My mittens are blue. 1 3 I have one more than three buttons. Which snowman am I?

I have on a hat. My nose points right. I do not have on boots. Which snowman am I?

I have an even number of buttons. I am wearing boots. I am not holding a broom. Which snowman am I?
Sweetheart Valentine Riddle #1

I have an orange heart. 2 I have two pink hearts. I have an odd number of hearts. Which valentine am I?

1 I have more than one pink heart. I have an even number of hearts. Some of my hearts are red. Which valentine am I?

I have an even number of hearts. 2 I have two red hearts. 5 The sum of my hearts is less than five. Which valentine am I?

1 I have one orange heart. 2 I have two pink hearts. I do not have a red heart. Which valentine am I?

I have an orange heart. 4 The sum of my hearts is four. 2 I have two red hearts. Which valentine am I?

2 I have two pink hearts. 4 I have more than four hearts. 2 I have two red hearts. Which valentine am I?

I have an even number of hearts. 1 One of my hearts is purple. 3 1 I have one less than three pink hearts. Which valentine am I?

6 I have less than six hearts. 1 I have at least one red heart. The sum of my hearts is odd. Which valentine am I?
Breezy Day Kites Riddle #1

2 I have two or more equal parts. I have stripes. 4 I have less than four bows. Which kite am I?

My tail hangs to the right. 4 I have four equal parts. 1 My bows are all one color. Which kite am I?

I have polka dots. I have orange bows. My bows make an AAB pattern. Which kite am I?

3 I have more than three bows. 4 I have purple polka dots. I do not have stripes. Which kite am I?

I have an even number of bows. 2 I have at least two equal parts. 6 The sum of my bows is six. Which kite am I?

I have purple on me. Some of my bows are pink. The number of my bows is odd. Which kite am I?

My tail hangs to the right. 4 I have four equal parts. All of my bows are blue. Which kite am I?

2 I have two colors of bows. I have purple polka dots. My bows make an AB pattern. Which kite am I?
Spring Flowers Riddle #1

6 I have at least six petals. 2 I have less than two leaves. 1 I have only one color of petals. I have the color blue. Which flower am I?

2 I do not have two leaves. 5 I have more than five petals. I do not have the color purple. I have a color that begins with b. Which flower am I?

2 I have less than two leaves. 2 I do not have orange petals. I do not have the color yellow. I have the least number of petals. Which flower am I?

5 I have more than five petals. 1 I have at least one leaf. I do not have the color purple. 2 I have two leaves. Which flower am I?

2 I have less than two leaves. I have an odd number of petals. I have a purple center. My petals are red. Which flower am I?

7 I have less than seven petals. I do not have an orange center. My petals make an AB pattern. 1 I have one leaf. Which flower am I?

6 I have at least six petals. I do not have blue petals. My center is yellow. I have an odd number of petals. Which flower am I?

I do not have an orange center. 1 I have at least one leaf. I have an odd number of petals. My petals are purple. Which flower am I?
Apple Picking Riddles, pp.811 #1: 1 #2: 3 #3: 4 #4: 2 #5: 1 #6: 2 #7: 4 #8: 3
Snowy Day Friends Riddles, pp.2427 #1: 2 #2: 4 #3: 1 #4: 1 #5: 4 #6: 3 #7: 2 #8: 3
Pumpkin Patch Riddles, pp.1215 #1: 1 #2: 4 #3: 3 #4: 2 #5: 3 #6: 1 #7: 2 #8: 4
Sweetheart Valentine Riddles, pp.2831 #1: 1 #2: 4 #3: 2 #4: 3 #5: 2 #6: 4 #7: 3 #8: 1
Tom Turkey Riddles, pp.1619 #1: 3 #2: 2 #3: 4 #4: 4 #5: 5 #6: 3 #7: 2 #8: 1
Breezy Day Kites Riddles, pp.3235 #1: 1 #2: 3 #3: 2 #4: 4 #5: 2 #6: 1 #7: 3 #8: 4
Gingerbread Man Riddles, pp.2023 #1: 3 #2: 1 #3: 4 #4: 2 #5: 2 #6: 4 #7: 3 #8: 1
Spring Flowers Riddles, pp.3639 #1: 4 #2: 5 #3: 6 #4: 3 #5: 6 #6: 2 #7: 1 #8: 1
40
40
Apple Picking
4
41 Math Riddles & Mini-Posters That Build Early Problem-Solving Skills Cornell, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Pumpkin Patch
3
42
Tom Turkey
3
4
43
Gingerbread Man
1 2
Math Riddles & Mini-Posters That Build Early Problem-Solving Skills Cornell, Scholastic Teaching Resources
44
Snowy Day Friends

1 2
45 Math Riddles & Mini-Posters That Build Early Problem-Solving Skills Cornell, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Sweetheart Valentine
46
Breezy Day Kites
47
Spring Flowers
6
48

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Math Riddles

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Riddles & Mini-Poster ath s M That Build Early Problem-Solving Skills

Meeting the NCTM Standards

Riddles and Posters

Introducing Problem-Solving Strategies

Working With Students

4. Examine the mini-poster as a class. Work together

5. Discuss how the class arrived at the answer, what

6. Select another riddle card and begin again.

Making the Most of a Flexible Format

Strengthening Students Skills

Apple Picking Riddle #1

Apple Picking Riddle #2

Apple Picking Riddle #3

Apple Picking Riddle #4

Apple Picking Riddle #5

Apple Picking Riddle #6

Apple Picking Riddle #7

Apple Picking Riddle #8

Pumpkin Patch Riddle #1

Pumpkin Patch Riddle #2

Pumpkin Patch Riddle #3

Pumpkin Patch Riddle #4

Pumpkin Patch Riddle #5

Pumpkin Patch Riddle #6

Pumpkin Patch Riddle #7

Pumpkin Patch Riddle #8

Gingerbread Man Riddle #1

Gingerbread Man Riddle #2

Gingerbread Man Riddle #3

Gingerbread Man Riddle #4

Gingerbread Man Riddle #5

Gingerbread Man Riddle #6

Gingerbread Man Riddle #7

Gingerbread Man Riddle #8

Snowy Day Friends Riddle #1

Snowy Day Friends Riddle #2

Snowy Day Friends Riddle #3

Snowy Day Friends Riddle #4

Snowy Day Friends Riddle #5

Snowy Day Friends Riddle #6

Snowy Day Friends Riddle #7

Snowy Day Friends Riddle #8

Sweetheart Valentine Riddle #1

Sweetheart Valentine Riddle #2

Sweetheart Valentine Riddle #3

Sweetheart Valentine Riddle #4

Sweetheart Valentine Riddle #5

Sweetheart Valentine Riddle #6

Sweetheart Valentine Riddle #7

Sweetheart Valentine Riddle #8

Breezy Day Kites Riddle #1

Breezy Day Kites Riddle #2

Breezy Day Kites Riddle #3

Breezy Day Kites Riddle #4

Breezy Day Kites Riddle #5

Breezy Day Kites Riddle #6

Breezy Day Kites Riddle #7

Breezy Day Kites Riddle #8

Spring Flowers Riddle #1

Spring Flowers Riddle #2

Spring Flowers Riddle #3

Spring Flowers Riddle #4

Spring Flowers Riddle #5