Prickly Pear Puzzles
1,211 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
Store categories
All resources
Filters
Grade
Subject
Format
Resource type
Standard
Theme
Audience
Programs & methods
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
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
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
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
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
Basketball Logic Puzzles - Sport Activities - Fast Finishers- Gifted & Talented
Basketball! Just in time for YOU KNOW WHAT!!! Looking for a way to bring your love of the madness into your classroom and still involve critical thinking fun? These challenging logic puzzles are made for YOU! This NO prep five-pack is an enriching supplement to your critical reading lessons. Set includes five 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. Set inc
6th - 9th
Physical Education
Pi Day Logic Puzzles Joke Decoder -March 14 Activities - Fast Finishers- Sponge
Need a GREAT Pi Day Sponge Activity? NO MATH REQUIRED! Your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be thinking and laughing as they solve this silly set of Pi Day Jokes this March 14. This set of 2 activities is perfect for early finishers, challenge board, after testing, and more! Rainy day recess? NO problem! BEST Sponge Activity EVER! Easy Prep, just print and Go! Open the preview and have a look! If you like saving money, then the Holiday & Sports Bundle might be perfect for you! If yo
3rd - 5th
Math
St. Patrick's Day Joke Logic Puzzles - Leprechaun Activities - Fast Finishers
Need a GREAT St. Patrick's Day Sponge Activity? Your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be thinking and laughing as they solve this silly set of St. Patrick's Day Jokes this March 17. This set of 4 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! If you like saving money, then the Holiday & Sports Bundle might be perfect for you! If you already purchased the Hol
3rd - 5th
Valentine Joke Logic Puzzles - Valentines Day Activities - Fast Finishers - GATE
Need a GREAT Valentine's Day Sponge Activity? Your 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be thinking and laughing as they solve this silly set of Valentine's Jokes this February. This set of 4 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! If you like saving money, then the Joke Decoder & Logic Puzzle Sport and Holiday Bundle might be perfect for you! What's In
3rd - 5th
Christmas Hinky Pinks- Fun Holiday Activities
These silly, funny puzzles have been called many things over the years. Hink Pinks, Hinky Pinks, Hinky Pinkies and more. Whatever you call them, kids call them fun! This engaging set is Christmas Themed. Perfect brain buster for restless learners as we near Winter Break. This challenge provides a variety of ways for you students be involved in critical thinking fun. Each clue has an answer that rhymes. Some are more difficult than others, that’s intentional. This set includes one syllabl
5th - 8th
Break The Code - Boom Cards - Set 1
If your students love breaking the code, they will love this Boom Deck! Each card is its own logic puzzle. There are 4 clues to decoding the secret number and also a bank of possible numbers as an additional clue. Some are quite challenging, and students will probably need paper and pencil or white boards as they work through the clues. These brain busters are excellent for deductive reasoning and like all Prickly Pear Puzzles, they are critical thinking fun. Your students will love this highe
6th - 8th
For All Subjects
TEKS
MA.8-9.A1.1.C
, MA.8-9.A1.8.A
Science Hinky Pinks- Types of Scientists - Word Puzzles
These silly, funny puzzles have been called many things over the years. Hink Pinks, Hinky Pinks, Hinky Pinkies and more. Whatever you call them, kids call them fun! This engaging set is based on types of scientists. Perfect brain buster for the beginning of the year or end of a unit. This challenge provides a variety of ways for you students be involved in critical thinking fun. Each clue has an answer that rhymes. Some are more difficult than others, that’s intentional. Students may nee
6th - 9th
Science
Logic Puzzle Task Cards - Find The Bears - Critical Thinking Fun - GATE
Students love a good mystery! Need to engage your students in Productive Struggle? Find the Bears Task Cards NOW 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 bears are in which order. Don't be fooled by the colorful little bears, these puzzles are more challenging than they look. Thi
4th - 7th
Showing 1-15 of 15 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