Have your students practice using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to answer story problems with this puzzle activity instead of a boring worksheet! Each puzzle piece has a story problem that requires adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing. Starting with the piece that says "start here", students will answer the first question, and go on to the next piece that has their answer. There are 11 questions in this activity. Print an extra copy and don’t cut it up to use as an answer key. This is a great activity for students to practice their arithmetic! Have students work in groups of 2-4 to also work on communicating their problems solving skills as well.

* Some questions do require more than one step, such as multiplying two numbers, and then adding a third number to get the final answer

*One question describes the dimensions of a backyard, and asks students how much fence goes around the yard. This is getting at perimeter, which if your students haven’t been exposed to yet, could be a challenge question.

I call it the "Snake Activity" with my students because it makes a long string of problems and answers when completed! Have them tape the pieces together, and laminate for use again and again!