Puzzle builder

I had forgotten about this program until searching on pinterest for algebra 1 activities.  This was a great activity you can use for any topic and any subject.  I plan on changing it a bit because some of my lower level students may have needed part of the puzzle to be solved for them.  Basically, you choose the number of questions you want to be solved based on the puzzle.  Then, you type the question and solution into the input category.  It produces a table of the questions and answers, along with a key for the puzzle.  Awesome activity.  I was able to walk around the classroom more today, than on others.  Tarsia is the name of the program and it is a free download!

Multi-Step Equations

   (Original)

Are you teaching Algebra 1?  Then you must check out Henrico county's Algebra 1 module site!  I love their cutouts and class activities and if I am running low on time, they have the BEST jeopardy!  I feel like I am abusing my exclamation points, but when I was a first year teacher, I was thrilled to come across this site.  Especially being a lateral entry teacher, I had not seen Algebra 1 since my 8th grade year.  It's a great refresher if nothing else.

    (Final product)

Today we used one of the graduation puzzles.  It took almost 40 minutes for the kids to complete the puzzle, but I love that they were all engaged.  It may have been because I bribed them with tickets as well.  Some gave up, so I would help them find four pieces to encourage the to keep trying.  It was interesting to see the different methods the kids used to solve the puzzle.