Prickly Pear Puzzles
1,210 Followers
Tucson, Arizona, United States
About the store
Welcome to Prickly Pear Puzzles, your ONE STOP SHOP for Critical Thinking Fun! You are purchasing Logic Puzzles and Math Activities from an award winning teacher author with 35+ years experience in the classroom. I can help you lead your students to better skills in critical reading, attention to detail and problem solving. Subjects I've taught include Algebra I and II, Intro to Physics, Intro to Chem, full elementary and Gifted ED. My teaching career includes full time teaching in Italy, Germany and England for the 22 years and Tucson, Arizona for 13+. Have been teaching a variety of content and grade levels since 1990. Still love the classroom!!!
Author of 3 "Teacher Books"
Logical Thinking Skills, Frank Schaffer Publications
Logic Across the Curriculum, Frank Schaffer Publications
Logic Fun, Instructional Fair
Read more
All resources
Filters
Grade
Subject
Format
Resource type
Standard
Theme
Audience
Programs & methods
Supports
Dad Jokes Logic Puzzle | Sports | Think Time | Father's Day | Decoder Activity
Need a fun activity for Fathers Day? Your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be thinking and laughing as they solve this silly set of Dad Jokes. This duo of activities is perfect for early finishers, challenge board, after testing, and more! Excellent for Summer School! Rainy day recess? Snow Day? NO problem! Both activities come in American version using soccer, field etc... The UK version features words like pitch, football etc.. This easy brain buster is also great for plastic sleeve and
3rd - 5th
For All Subjects, Reading Strategies
Soccer Joke Logic Puzzle - Sports - Think Time - Football Decoder Activity Fun
If you love to soccer this is for YOU! Your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be thinking and laughing as they solve this silly set of Soccer / Football Jokes. This duo of activities is perfect for early finishers, challenge board, after testing, and more! Excellent for Summer School! Rainy day recess? Snow Day? NO problem! Both activities come in American version using soccer, field etc... The UK version features words like pitch, football etc.. This easy brain buster is also great for p
3rd - 5th
For All Subjects, Physical Education, Reading Strategies
Logic Puzzle Task Cards Find The Animals - Critical Thinking - Break The Code
Put sharp thinking to work! In Find the Animals, students use deductive reasoning and process of elimination to crack festive logic puzzles—no guessing allowed. With 26 Animal-Themed Crack The Code cards, this critical thinking activity is perfect for fast finishers, enrichment, centers, and GATE learners in grades 5–9. Each challenge is an engaging and fun mystery. This fun set is a colorful, hands on, code breaking activity. Don't be fooled by the colorful little animals, these puzzles are
5th - 8th
For All Subjects
Dogs & Puppies Logic Puzzles - GATE - Critical Thinking-Fast Finishers GR 3 4 5
If you and your students love dogs, this is for you! Looking for fun activities to encourage critical thinking? This set of 4 silly logic puzzles can be used year round! Dog & Puppies Logic Puzzles will engage your students and help them become better critical readers. These unique brain teasers are great for centers and rainy day activities. Encourage students to challenge their own productive struggle skills with this unique set of deductive reasoning activities. What are you wa
3rd - 5th
Reading Strategies
Egg Drop Logic Puzzle | Critical Thinking STEM Activity | Grades 6 - 9 | GATE
This Egg Drop Logic Puzzle challenges students in grades 6–9 to think critically about an egg drop contest— no building, measuring, or calculations required. Students analyze clues, compare scenarios, and use deductive reasoning to determine outcomes, making this a perfect logic‑based supplement to an egg drop lessonor STEM unit. Each puzzle is personalized by every student, increasing engagement and productive struggle. I find students are much less apt to give up when their friend's names
6th - 8th
Physical Science, Reading Strategies
Rodeo Joke Logic Puzzle - Cowboys - Think Time - Fast Finisher Decoder Activity
Its Rodeo Season where I live! Your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be thinking and laughing as they solve this silly set of Rodeo Jokes. This duo of activities is perfect for early finishers, challenge board, after testing, and more! Rainy day recess? Snow Day? NO problem! Both activities come in color and B&W. The color version is great for plastic sleeve and dry erase marker. Great for centers! BEST Sponge Activity EVER! Open the preview and have a look! You might already own
3rd - 5th
For All Subjects, Reading Strategies
Sports Logic Puzzles - Circle Up Dudes - Critical Thinking - Fast Finishers - GT
YOU asked for it! Here it is! Set 4, Circle Up SPORTS Dudes! Critical Reading and Logical Thinking has never been so fun. This is a set of 4 logic puzzles to solve and color. The focus in this set is the Sports. Includes traditional and non-traditional sports. All 4 puzzles are location logic puzzles. The characters are in a circle and students will use deductive reasoning and the process of elimination to determine the color/sport of each dude. Two options for every puzzle is in
4th - 6th
Coloring Pages, Reading
CCSS
MP3
Winter Sports Logic Puzzles - Ski Jump - Figure Skating - Snowboarding- GATE
It's time to celebrate WINTER SPORTS! Bring the excitement of ski jumps, snowboarding, figure skating, hockey and winter sports fun into your classroom and engage your students in critical thinking fun. This NO prep pack of 6 activities is an enriching supplement to all things Winter Fun. This variety pack of logic puzzles is perfect for early finishers, challenge board, extra credit, after testing, and more! Open the preview and have a closer look! You will love how unique Prickly Pea
4th - 6th
Not Subject Specific, Physical Education
Ski Joke Logic Puzzle - Sports - Think Time - Winter Decoder Activity Fun
If you love to ski this is for YOU! Your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be thinking and laughing as they solve this silly set of Ski day Jokes. This duo of activities is perfect for early finishers, challenge board, after testing, and more! Rainy day recess? Snow Day? NO problem! Both activities come in color and B&W. The color version is great for plastic sleeve and dry erase marker. Great for centers! BEST Sponge Activity EVER! Open the preview and have a look! This product is
3rd - 5th
For All Subjects, Physical Education, Reading Strategies
New Year's Logic Puzzles - New Year Jokes - January Activity - Fast Finishers
Need a GREAT Sponge Activity for BTS in January? Your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be thinking and laughing as they solve this silly set of New Year's Jokes this month. This set of activities is perfect for early finishers, challenge board, after testing, and more! In-door recess? NO problem! BEST Sponge Activity EVER! Open the preview and have a look! Better yet, buy it now, just PRINT & GO!YOU MIGHT already own this! If you previously purchased Joke Decoder & Logic Holiday Bundl
3rd - 5th
For All Subjects
Logic Puzzle Task Cards Find The Ornament - Christmas Critical Thinking - GATE
Put sharp thinking to work! In Find the Ornament, students use deductive reasoning and process of elimination to crack festive logic puzzles—no guessing allowed. With 26 Christmas-themed task cards, this critical thinking activity is perfect for fast finishers, enrichment, centers, and GATE learners in grades 5–9. Each challenge is an engaging color mystery. This fun set is a colorful, hands on, code breaking activity. Don't be fooled by the colorful little ornaments, these puzzles are more c
5th - 8th
For All Subjects
Christmas Logic Puzzles - ELF Joke Decoder - December Activity - Fast Finishers
Need a GREAT Sponge Activity for December? Your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be thinking and laughing as they solve this silly set of ELF Jokes this month. This set of activities is perfect for early finishers, challenge board, after testing, and more! In-door recess? NO problem! BEST Sponge Activity EVER! Open the preview and have a look! Better yet, buy it now, just PRINT & GO!YOU MIGHT already own this! If you previously purchased Joke Decoder & Logic Holiday Bundle you recei
3rd - 5th
For All Subjects
Season Logic Puzzles - Circle Up Dudes - Critical Thinking - Spring Fun- GT
YOU asked for it! Here it is! Set 3, Circle Up, Dudes! Critical Reading and Logical Thinking has never been so fun. This is a set of 4 logic puzzles to solve and color. The focus in this set is the Seasons. Includes Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. All 4 puzzles are location logic puzzles. The dudes are in a circle and students will use deductive reasoning and the process of elimination to determine the color of each dude. Two options for every puzzle is included. Version 1:
3rd - 6th
Coloring Pages, Reading
CCSS
MP3
Halloween Logic Puzzles - Cup Stacking Critical Thinking- Fast Finishers- GATE
Need a print and go activity for Halloween or October sub plan? This is it! Designed for grades 4 - 6. Logic puzzles are fun and engaging, and this set will have your students smiling and thinking as they work together to solve these challenges. Perfect for Fast Finishers and Indoor Recess. Engage your students with these unique brain teasers great for centers and rainy day activities. Critical reading skills are lifelong skills. Encourage students challenge their own critical thinking
4th - 6th
Reading
Frankenstein Logic Puzzle - Joke Decoder - Halloween Activity - Fast Finishers
Need a GREAT Halloween Sponge Activity? Your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be thinking and laughing as they solve this silly set of Frankenstein Jokes this October. This silly set of 2 activities is perfect for early finishers, challenge board, after testing, and more! Rainy day recess? NO problem! BEST Sponge Activity EVER! Open the preview and have a look! Better yet, buy it now, just PRINT & GO! YOU MIGHT already own this! If you previously purchasedHoliday Bundle Joke Decode
3rd - 5th
For All Subjects, Reading
Shark Escape Room - Printable Mystery - Science Fun - Ocean - Engaging Activity
Make your Shark Unit or your child's birthday party a splash with this fun and engaging Escape Room, all about SHARKS! Students can work in partners to solve the 8 puzzles and decode 2 combination locks to ESCAPE! Productive struggle has never been so fun, and your kids won't want to give up, they will ask for more! A bit of the escape room is silly while the puzzles engage your students in factual information about sharks. The Deep Sea Shark Mystery Includes:Teacher teaching hints, FAQ's
6th - 8th
For All Subjects, General Science, Reading Strategies
Logic Puzzle Task Cards Find The Mice - Critical Thinking - GATE Fast Finishers
Need to engage your students in Productive Struggle? Find the Mouse Task Cards can be used over multiple days as it include 26 individual logic puzzles. Each challenge is an engaging color mystery. This fun set is a colorful, hands on, code breaking activity. Students will use deductive reasoning and the process of elimination as they use the clues to determine which mice are in which order. Don't be fooled by the colorful little mice, these puzzles are more challenging than they look. Thi
5th - 8th
For All Subjects
Sharks Joke Logic Puzzle - Fun Summer Activities - Fast Finishers - Decoder
Are you fast finishers begging you for some End Of The Year fun? SHARKS Logic Puzzle and Joke Decoder will save the day! Your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be thinking and laughing as they solve this silly set of Shark Jokes. This duo of activities is perfect for early finishers, challenge board, after testing, and more! Rainy day recess? End of the school year restlessness? NO problem! Both activities come in color and B&W. The color version is great for plastic sleeve and dry e
3rd - 5th
For All Subjects
FREEBIE - Pizza Joke Logic Puzzle - Matrix Grid - Fast Finishers- Silly Fun
FREEBIE for Followers! Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all of you! The work you do is so very important and it IS appreciated more than you know. Thank YOU for being a Prickly Pears Puzzle Follower! If you are not currently a follower, maybe you should click that green star now, who knows what you have been missing!Are you fast finishers bugging you for something fun? Cheesy Pizza Logic Puzzle and Joke Decoder will save the day! Your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be thinking and la
3rd - 5th
For All Subjects
Cinco de Mayo Matrix Grid Logic Puzzles - Fast Finishers- Gifted & Talented
Cinco de Mayo Fun is here! Looking for a way to bring your love of Mexican/American culture into your classroom and still involve critical thinking fun? These challenging logic puzzles are made for YOU! This NO prep three-pack is an enriching supplement to your critical reading lessons. Set includes three critical thinking activities. Perfect for early finishers, challenge board, after testing, and more! Have a look! This set is recommended for grades 6 through high school. Save Mone
6th - 9th
For All Subjects
Showing 1-20 of 156 results
About the store
Experience
Welcome to Prickly Pear Puzzles, your ONE STOP SHOP for Critical Thinking Fun! You are purchasing Logic Puzzles and Math Activities from an award winning teacher author with 35+ years experience in the classroom. I can help you lead your students to better skills in critical reading, attention to detail and problem solving. Subjects I've taught include Algebra I and II, Intro to Physics, Intro to Chem, full elementary and Gifted ED. My teaching career includes full time teaching in Italy, Germany and England for the 22 years and Tucson, Arizona for 13+. Have been teaching a variety of content and grade levels since 1990. Still love the classroom!!!
Author of 3 "Teacher Books"
Logical Thinking Skills, Frank Schaffer Publications
Logic Across the Curriculum, Frank Schaffer Publications
Logic Fun, Instructional Fair
Teaching style
Work Hard, Play Hard! Find The Joy!
Awards & shining teacher moments
PAEMST( Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science) representing Arizona, 1998
Arizona Ambassador for Excellence Top 5 Teacher of the Year
Published Author
Flowing Wells School District Teacher of the Year 1998
Hendricks Elementary School Teacher of the Year 1997
Wright Flight Teacher of the Year 1999
My own education history
Leavenworth High School, Leavenworth Kansas, 1980
University of Arizona, 1989
80+ graduate credits in gifted education, mathematics, science, and curriculum and development
Additional biographical information
Mom, Wife, Traveler, fan of college basketball and my newest excitement, I'm finally a grandma. :)
TPT is the largest marketplace for PreK-12 resources, powered by a community of educators.
IXL family of brands