Spanish Logic problem with manipulatives!
Get students thinking in Spanish as they try to solve the puzzle!
(Also available in English)

Use the clues to match up nationalities, personalities and emotions for each of the six girls. For each clue, students must fill in the correct forms of ser or estar. Then, as you solve the puzzle, there are ample opportunities to continue using these verbs as you guide students (or they guide you) to the correct answer.

The grid usually used in logic problems can be confusing for some students, so manipulatives are included to “illustrate” each clue as it is solved. The illustration, at almost every stage of completion, lends itself to continued conversation using the verbs ser and estar.

For example, the teacher may ask,” ¿Está triste María?” Beginning students can answer simply “Sí”, “No”, or “No sé”. More advanced students can give more complex answers, such as inventing reasons for María’s sadness. The activity can be a springboard for conversation activities at any level.

Materials include:
• Manipulative page of illustrations to make the abstract clues more concrete.
• Clue page (to be copied and distributed to students so they can follow along).
• Solution pages for both the grid and the illustration.
• Incremental solution pages to check your progress.