“I was pleased with the range of what was possible. The top kids turned it into algebra. The others worked it out with the materials. I totally loved it!” — Jules Strasser, Teacher

Bean Riddles Students use comparisons and proportions to identify quantities of four kinds of beans. Algebraic thinking, comparison, addition, subtraction, missing addends Desiree’s Riddle I have 15 beans altogether. I have 1 fewer white than black. I have the same number of pintos and reds. I have 4 white beans.	Coin Riddles Students identify groups of coins based on the total value and comparative clues. Counting money, language of comparison, algebraic thinking Curtis's Riddle I have 10 coins. My coins are worth 61¢. I have twice as many nickels as dimes. I have no quarters.
Base Ten Riddles Students discover groupings of base ten blocks that represent given areas. Place value, regrouping, area Bianca's Riddle My blocks cover 241 square centimeters. I have more tens than hundreds. I have 7 blocks in all.	Rectangle Riddles Students arrange color tiles into rectangles of given areas and perimeters. Multiplication, factors, area, perimeter Gavin's Riddle My room is shaped like a rectangle. It has an area of 28 square inches. It has a perimeter of 22 inches.
Postage Stamp Riddles Students identify combinations of stamps that make up various totals. Multiplication, addition, money, algebraic thinking Rebecca's Riddle I have 10 stamps. They are 3¢ and 5¢ stamps. They are worth 40¢.	Things in Groups Students group objects to identify an unknown number according to its divisibility. Division, multiples, factors Alex's Riddle On a distant planet there are between 29 and 39 aliens. There is an even number. They could divide themselves into 4 equal spaceship crews    with none left over. They could divide themselves into 8 crews with none left over.
Pattern Block Riddles Students form geometric figures using the "values" of pattern blocks and other clues. Geometry, combining and subdividing shapes, area, perimeter, multiplication Rachel’s Riddle My shape is a trapezoid. It is worth $12. I used 6 blocks. I didn’t use any yellows. The perimeter is 10 inches. Hint: Make a red butterfly in the middle.	Color Tile Algebra Students use color tiles and number tiles to identify unknowns in equations. Algebraic thinking, addition, subtraction, missing addends Logan's Puzzle Green + Blue = 10 Red – Yellow = 7 Yellow + Red = 11 Blue = 4
Telltale Numbers Students make sense of mathematical "tales" by placing missing numbers in math stories. Interpreting word problems, number sense, addition, subtraction, other operations Telltale Birthdays by Jennifer It is March right row. My birthday is ___ months away. I am going to turn ___ on October ___. My sister is three years older than me. She is going to turn ___ in about ___ months. That will be on January ___. Fill in these numbers so that the story makes sense: 4   12    9   10   7   14	WordsWorth Puzzles Students make use of letter "values" to identify unknown words and sentences. Addition, subtraction, missing addends Ian's Puzzle (a = 1¢, b = 2¢, and so on. Rearrange the words to form a sentence.) __at = 27¢     __ = 1¢   __ave = 36¢   __ =  9¢ __ox = 45¢    __his = 56¢ i__ =  23¢      __ox = 41¢
Number Tile Puzzles Students complete addition and multiplication equations using sets of number tiles. Addition, missing addends, multiplication, factors, guess-and-check problem solving (See cover image for example.)