TA DA! My latest version…I LOVE that you can print and modify to match whatever decor your classroom has. I printed the numbers on green, cut out coordinating construction paper squares to back them, and then bought black square paper plates as a final frame. You don’t need to do all that–but I thought it looked pretty slick!  So what is this resource anyway?

Higher Level Problem Solving and Math Enrichment

Truth be told, I had seen lots of teachers do different versions of Boggle boards in their classrooms–with both letters and numbers–but I hadn’t seen it done in a way I felt would work with my class. What I REALLY wanted was a way for students to be challenged with different topics we were studying if they finished early, to use as a center, or to push their thinking. In other words–I wanted it to be useful more than just one time and I didn’t want it to be busy work!

I spent most of the summer thinking about how I wanted to approach it, and finally, I came up with my plan. Sadly, I had already “built” my bulletin board before the plan was complete! I’m simply going to slip in the new numbers I made when I get to school on Tuesday.

What I created is an enrichment board that has 6 different challenges that can be done with it, and the challenges can be done in partners or solo. For this first set of challenges, students will be reviewing addition of three-digit numbers, but with a problem solving twist! Here is page one of one of the activities . . . I think you can see how this is NOT your ordinary worksheet! Students have to work at a much higher level of cognitive demand and focus–and they have to demonstrate perseverance, focus, and determination!

Each of the 6 activities is two pages long. Page 1 gets them working on a skill (like estimating) and then page 2 asks them to apply it in a more open-ended way. I am SUPER excited to see how my top math kiddos handle it! I think I’m going to make a folder system where each challenge gets a folder. Some students might do one–others might do all 6. In addition, I created a set of 5 additional “Mind Boggling” boards so that you can change the numbers out if you wish! We start the year with place value and addition and subtraction review, so this is going to be a perfect complement.

What I really love is that I have begun jotting down my plans for a more simple version using 2 digit numbers, a decimal set, and a money set! As my units change, I can super easily change the board and the activities will be ready to go. The letters to spell “Mind Boggling Math” are included as well if you want to create a display, but EVERYTHING the students need is on the challenge pages so you do not have to have a permanent area in your classroom.

Anyhoo–just thought I’d share! I’m super excited to share this with you! If you are interested in checking these “Mind Boggling Math” resources, click the images below to see!

Now available in TWO digit addition as well!

and….a Decimals and Money version!