Students will:

1. Work cooperatively to develop collegial relationships with classmates
2. Access prior knowledge
3. Use context clues and read between the lines
4. Think critically in order to problem solve

Directions

These can be done on the same day or used separately to break up lectures about classroom rules, procedures, and expectations.

Activity 1:

1. Arrange students in groups of no more than four.
2. Distribute Guess What It Says? Worksheet 1 (PDF).
3. Explain that each initial stands for a word that completes a common measurement or group of things.
4. Go over the first two as examples to make sure the students understand what they're doing.
5. Give them about 20 minutes to complete this worksheet. Remind students to focus on working together.

Activity 2:

1. Distribute Guess What It Says? Worksheet 2 (PDF).
2. Explain that each square contains a commonly used phrase.
3. Explain that students must pay attention to the placement and size of the words within the square in order to figure out the phrases.
4. Use two of the easier squares as examples.
5. Give students about 20 minutes to complete this worksheet.

Supporting All Learners

These worksheets are any-level-learner friendly. Just make sure that you walk around the room to assist as they have questions.

Home Connection

Students love to take these puzzles home to their parents to see if they can solve them.

Assignments

Complete problem-solving worksheets in a small group.

Evaluation

• Has some of the students' shyness worn off?
• Are they more willing to speak to each other and you?
• Do you know more names today than yesterday?
• Do you know generally who your extroverts and introverts are?
• Do you have an idea of who likes to be the "Batman" of the group and who's OK with being "Robin?"