Halloween Mystery Puzzles and Center Activities

In a kindergarten classroom, we are always looking for fun and engaging ways to practice skills for mastery.  I am loving mystery puzzles in my classroom.  Mystery puzzles not are only enjoyable, but they are also self-correcting and no prep for teachers!

For these fun Halloween themed puzzles, students can write their answer directly on the paper under the question.  For this particular puzzle, students have to count and tell how many. (You can find this Halloween Counting puzzle as a freebie at the end of this post)

They then have to cut the puzzle pieces and glue the piece on the matching answer.

When students have correctly solved the problems, it then creates a fun Halloween themed picture, making the whole activity self-correcting.

The full packet includes 5 Halloween math puzzles with topics including:

  • counting to ten with objects

  • counting to 10 with tens frames 

  • missing numbers within 10

  • shapes

As well as accompanying math station activities focusing on these math skills.

This free Halloween Count the Room is a fun interactive way for students to practice counting to 20.  (You can find this as a freebie at the end of the post)

These counting clip cards which are great way to enhance fine motor skills while counting to 20. 

Also included are 5 Halloween phonemic awareness and phonics puzzles with topics including:

  • letter matching

  • beginning sounds 

  • rhyming

  • short a words

And accompanying phonics station activities focusing on these skills as well.

This beginning sounds write the room can be used for students to practice identifying beginning sounds as well as easily adapted for CVC words for students who are at that level.  

Alphabet puzzles are a great way for students to practice matching uppercase and lowercase letters as well as beginning sounds. 

And finally, clip cards focusing on rhyming. 

You can find this entire packet in my TPT store by clicking here: Halloween Mystery Puzzles

 As well as the free counting bats puzzle here: Halloween Counting Mystery Puzzle Freebie which also includes the Free Halloween Count the Room to 20 activity.

 

Engaging Kindergarten Cooperative Learning Game: I Have Who Has

One of my favorite classroom cooperative learning games is the game "I Have, Who Has."  It is a great way to reinforce or review skills being taught and once you teach students how to play the game, you can use it for almost anything content by just switching out what students are learning.  not only reinforces skills but also keeps students excited and engaged throughout. Let's dive into how this game works and its myriad benefits for your classroom.

How to Play

Playing "I Have, Who Has" is simple and effective. Each student is given a card, ensuring everyone's participation. In cases where students outnumber cards, buddy systems can be set up, while students can handle multiple cards if there are extras.

The game begins with the "I have start" card holder, initiating a sequence where students take turns following the card order until reaching the end card. To try this game out, you can grab a free Alphabet version of this game at the end of this post.

Benefits and Variations:

This cooperative learning game isn't just about fun; it cultivates active listening skills while solidifying content knowledge. Whether played as a whole group during morning meetings or in smaller groups for focused learning, "I Have, Who Has" can be easily adapted for your needs. 

For added excitement, consider "racing the clock" with a timer, motivating students to beat their previous time records. 

Be sure to check out the "I Have, Who Has Bundle," which is ideal for quick reviews or engaging time fillers year-round. "I have, Who Has Bundle" 

What is included?

Included are the math skills of identifying numbers 1-25, numbers on ten frames 1-20 and both 3d and 2d shapes. 

As well as phonics skills including beginning sounds, CVC words, rhyming, nonsense words, and CVCe words.  

They are easy to print to have handy for whenever you have a few extra minutes in your classroom.  

Or you can try out this free I Has Who Has Alphabet Freebie

I hope that you and your students enjoy playing this game!