Board & Rule-Based
Grades 6-8
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Opening Procedure (5-7 minutes)
PEP-UP: Word Chain (3 min)
1. Go around fast.
2. Each person says a word linked to the one before.
3. Hesitate over 3 seconds and you are out. One round.
NORMS (30 seconds):
1. Share the games.
2. Take turns fairly.
3. Respect each other.
4. Make sure you don't damage the games.
More Pep-up Options
2/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Session Name
Beat the Puzzle
Age Group
Ages 12-14
Session Intention
Children take on complex puzzles and develop their own strategies for solving them.
Materials Needed
• Chess (2)
• Countdown (1)
• Museum of Treasures (1)
• Crossword Junior (1)
• Brainvita (2)
• India Map (1)
• Solar System (1)
• Jodo Straws (1)
• Jodo Blocks (1)
• Pictureka (1)
• Gopher it (1)
Classroom Arrangement
1. Form groups of 4-6.
2. Give each group a different puzzle for variety.
3. Have the hardest puzzles ready, plus an extension challenge.
1/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Play Time (~25-28 minutes)
GETTING GROUPS STARTED:
1. Give each group a puzzle and begin.
YOUR ROLE DURING PLAY:
1. Ask - What have you tried? What might work next? - Do not give answers.
2. After some time, check who has solved and who is stuck. Give stuck groups one hint only.
3. Encourage peer hints between groups - not full solutions.
STEP IN WHEN NEEDED:
1. Stuck after 10 minutes - one specific hint.
2. Tension in a group - have them split and work individually for 5 minutes.
What You May Notice
1. Older children may feel embarrassed when they cannot solve something. Keep the tone light and challenge-positive.
2. The children who find it hardest may also learn the most from the struggle.
3. Notice how children respond to failure. Constructive responses to not-knowing are worth celebrating.
3/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Closing (~3-5 minutes)
1. Ask children what challenge or puzzle they solved today.
2. Ask what advice they would give themselves if they were starting again.
3. Ask children to pack up all materials carefully.
4. Ask if they are ready to try a harder challenge next time.
Try Next Time
1. The first team to crack their puzzle gets a bonus challenge.
2. Ask children to create a new challenge using the same materials for another group to try.
3. Give each pair a puzzle they have not tried yet.