Board & Rule-Based
Grades 3-5
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Session Name
Crack the Challenge
Age Group
Ages 9-11
Session Intention
Children tackle harder logic challenges and help each other work through solutions.
Materials Needed
• Countdown (1)
• Jodo Straws (1)
• Chess (2)
• Brainvita (2)
• Crossword Junior (1)
• India Map (1)
• Solar System (1)
• Jodo Blocks (1)
• Tetris tiles puzzle (2)
Classroom Arrangement
1. Form groups of 4-6.
2. Give each group a different puzzle for variety.
3. Have a simpler and a harder puzzle ready to swap in.
1/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Opening Procedure (5-7 minutes)
PEP-UP: Rock Paper Scissors Tournament (3 min)
1. Pairs play best of 3.
2. Winners find new winners until one champion remains.
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
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, encourage peer help - If you cracked a puzzle, give ONE hint to another group.
3. Groups who finish move to the next challenge.
STEP IN WHEN NEEDED:
1. One person dominating - Take turns: one move each.
2. Group asks for the answer - Tell me what you have tried first.
What You May Notice
1. Children may surprise you with strategies they develop on their own. Notice and highlight these.
2. Some children are stronger at spatial puzzles (Tetris) than logical ones (Chess). Both are valid.
3. Peer teaching happens naturally in puzzle play. Let it run.
3/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Closing (~3-5 minutes)
1. Ask children what strategy they used.
2. Invite 2–3 children to share whether it worked.
3. Ask children to pack up all materials.
4. Invite one child to share a strategy that worked well.
Try Next Time
1. Ask children to make a puzzle harder by adding their own rule.
2. Let children teach a puzzle they have solved to another group.
3. Introduce a new puzzle with no instructions - children figure out the rules themselves.