Puzzle making teaches Intermediate School fifth-graders much more than just how to connect pieces

student and mom making a puzzleWho knew there were so many lessons to learn from puzzle making?

Rosemary Marcolina’s Intermediate School fifth-graders do now as a result of her annual National Puzzle Day gathering, where families were invited in for “good, old fashioned” puzzle making.

So many benefits to puzzle making

“Students researched and discussed the value and benefits of puzzle day activities,” she said. “They found puzzle making stimulated the brain’s various areas, improved memory, cognitive function, problem-solving skills, increased vocabulary and language skills, logical thinking, number and math skills, mental challenges, hand dexterity, eye-hand coordination, social interactions, family and friend fun, to name a few.”

students and visitors making a puzzleThere were other benefits, too.  The fine art of creating and delivering invitations to family members, administrators, teachers and staff was reinforced.

“Students also practiced hospitality manners before guests arrived, such as  hand shaking, proper eye contact, welcoming phrases, room tours, offering a seat, paying attention to and staying with your guest, introductions to others, saying good bye, thank yous and offering a take home puzzle challenge gift,” she added. “That’s in addition to journal entries and response essay work.”

All kinds of puzzles

The puzzle work included: jigsaw, Sudoku, crossword, word searches, brain teasers, Rubik’s cube, tic-tac-toe, Rebus, optical illusions, “what’s missing” puzzle pictures, Jeopardy type questions, identical puzzle races, magnetic puzzles, “find the difference” pictures and “dot to dot.” etc.

“Students created homemade puzzles for family members, with personalized messages to take home,” said Mrs. Marcolina. “It was a memorable, fun and educational time.”

See more photos on the district’s Facebook page.