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Lesson: Math Fact Finder

Subjects

Mathematics
--Arithmetic

Grade

3-5
6-8

Brief Description

Make math fact practice fun with these math fact puzzles. Challenge students to find the hidden math facts in each puzzle.

Objectives

Students will:

  • practice math facts by finding the hidden math facts in each puzzle grid.
  • circle the math facts as they appear (on horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) in the puzzle. (Option: Have students write the math facts found in equation format, for example, 6 x 3 = 18.)

Keywords

math facts, puzzle, addition facts, subtraction facts, multiplication facts, division facts

Materials Needed


Lesson Plan

As a teacher, you are always looking for new and creative or fun ways to provide math fact practice for your students. This lesson’s Fact Finder worksheet will present a fun challenge for students as they hunt for math facts hidden in a puzzle grid. Think of this as a word search puzzle, but with math facts!

Project the puzzle grid immediately below (or use markers to draw it on a board or sheet of chart paper).

8

4

4

8

3

5

32

6

7

42

1

9

24

3

48

6

4

21

72

9

8

15

3

8

12

27

16

7

1

7

9

40

5

8

6

2

Can students find hidden math facts – addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division – in the puzzle?

Notes:

  • Math facts might appear on the horizontal, vertical or diagonal grids of the puzzle.
  • You/students might use different colored markers or crayons to circle the math facts (since some numbers on the puzzle grid might be part of two hidden math facts).
  • You might ask students to identify any math facts they see that begin in the first row of the puzzle. For example, in the first row, you or students might point out the following math facts:
    • Circle 8 – 4 – 4 (on the horizontal) because 8 – 4 = 4
    • Circle 8 – 3 – 5 (on the horizontal) because 8 – 3 = 5
    • Circle 8 – 6 – 48 (on the right diagonal) because 8 x 6 = 48
    • Circle 4 – 6 – 24 (on the left diagonal) because 4 x 6 = 24
    • Circle 3 – 1 – 4 (on the vertical) because 3 + 1 = 4
    • Circle 5 – 1 – 6 (on the left diagonal) because 5 + 1 = 6

Already you have circled six math facts and you have only searched the first row! What other math facts can students find? You might allow individual students to identify additional math facts and circle them on the chart. Here are the additional facts they will find hidden in this puzzle.

Math Facts Starting in Row 2

  • Circle 6 – 7 – 42 (on the horizontal) because 6 x 7 = 42
  • Circle 6 – 3 – 9 (on the vertical) because 6 + 3 = 9

Math Facts Starting in Row 3

  • Circle 3 – 9 – 27 (on the vertical) because 3 x 9 = 27
  • Circle 4 – 3- 1 (on the vertical) because 4 – 3 = 1
  • Circle 21 – 3 – 7 (on the left diagonal) because 21 divided by 3 = 7

Math Facts Starting in Row 4

  • Circle 72 – 9 – 8 (on the horizontal) because 72 divided by 9 = 8
  • Circle 8 – 1 – 1 (on the left diagonal) because 8 x 1 = 8

Math Facts Starting in Row 5

  • Circle 7 – 1 – 7 (on the horizontal) because 7 x 1 = 7 (or 7 divided by 1 = 7)

Math Facts Starting in Row 6

  • Circle 40 – 5 – 8 (on the horizontal) because 40 divided by 5 = 8
  • Circle 8 – 6 – 2 (on the horizontal) because 8 – 6 = 2

Altogether, students have found 16 hidden math facts in the puzzle!

Next, provide students with a copy of this lesson’s Fact Finder worksheet. Challenge students to identify the math facts they find. They might circle the facts or write them on a sheet of paper. If they circle the math facts, they might use different colors (for example, a variety of colors or one color for addition/subtraction facts and another color for multiplication/division facts).


Assessment

ANSWER KEY for Fact Finder worksheet

FACT FINDER WORKSHEET PUZZLE 1

 
 

5

6

3

18

9

2

24

3

8

2

16

5

12

3

7

48

4

10

56

4

25

6

4

24

8

2

5

4

12

7

4

8

5

40

10

30

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Can students find 12 math facts hidden in the puzzle above?

Math Facts Starting in Row 1

  • Circle 6 – 3 – 18 (on the horizontal) because 6 x 3 = 18
  • Circle 6 – 3 – 3 (on the vertical) because 6 - 3 = 3
  • Circle 6 – 8 – 48 (on the right diagonal) because 6 x 8 = 48
  • Circle 18 – 9 – 2 (on the horizontal) because 18 divided by 9 = 2
  • Circle 2 – 5 – 10 (on the vertical) because 2 x 5 = 10

Math Facts Starting in Row 2

  • Circle 24 – 3 – 8 (on the horizontal) because 24 divided by 3 = 8
  • Circle 8 – 2 – 16 (on the horizontal) because 8 x 2 = 16
  • Circle 16 – 4 – 4 (on the vertical) because 16 divided by 4 = 4

Math Facts Starting in Row 3

  • None

Math Facts Starting in Row 4

  • Circle 4 – 2 – 8 (on the vertical) because 4 x 2 = 8
  • Circle 6 – 4 – 24 (on the horizontal) because 6 x 4 = 24
  • Circle 25 – 5 – 5 (on the vertical) because 25 divided by 5 = 5

Math Facts Starting in Row 5

  • None

Math Facts Starting in Row 6

  • Circle 40 – 10 – 30 (on the horizontal) because 40 – 10 = 30

 

FACT FINDER WORKSHEET PUZZLE 2

7

18

9

8

12

24

12

6

2

4

6

25

4

3

7

4

28

11

3

3

9

16

2

8

8

2

9

6

54

3

15

5

3

27

16

24

Can students find 20 math facts hidden in the puzzle above?

Math Facts Starting in Row 1

  • Circle 18 – 6 – 3 (vertical) because 18 divided by 6 = 3
  • Circle 9 – 2 – 7 (vertical) because 9 – 2 = 7
  • Circle 8 – 4 – 4 (vertical) because 8 – 4 = 4
  • Circle 24 – 6 – 4 (left diagonal) because 24 divided by 6 = 4

Math Facts Starting in Row 2

  • Circle 12 – 6 – 2 (horizontal) because 12 divided by 6 = 2
  • Circle 12 – 4 – 3 (vertical) because 12 divided by 4 = 3
  • Circle 12 – 3 – 9 (right diagonal) because 12 – 3 = 9
  • Circle 6 – 2 – 4 (horizontal) because 6 – 2 = 4
  • Circle 6 – 3 – 3 (vertical) because 6 – 3 = 3
  • Circle 2 – 4 – 6 (horizontal) because 2 + 4 = 6
  • Circle 2 – 7 – 9 (vertical) because 2 + 7 = 9
  • Circle 4 – 4 – 16 (vertical) because 4 x 4 = 16

Math Facts Starting in Row 3

  • Circle 4 – 3 – 7 (horizontal) because 4 + 3 = 7
  • Circle 11 – 8 – 3 (vertical) because 11 – 8 = 3

Math Facts Starting in Row 4

  • Circle 3 – 3 – 9 (horizontal) because 3 x 3 = 9
  • Circle 3 – 2 – 5 (vertical) because 3 + 2 = 5
  • Circle 3 – 9 – 27 (right diagonal) because 3 x 9 = 27
  • Circle 16 – 2 – 8 (horizontal) because 16 divided by 2 = 8

Math Facts Starting in Row 5

  • Circle 9 – 6 – 54 (horizontal) because 9 x 6 = 54

Math Facts Starting in Row 6

  • Circle 15 – 5 – 3 (horizontal) because 15 divided by 5 = 3

 

FACT FINDER WORKSHEET PUZZLE 3

16

8

2

6

3

9

25

5

5

24

9

3

12

6

4

10

4

27

14

30

20

10

8

5

2

6

13

20

2

10

7

4

3

5

3

15

Can students find 14 math facts hidden in the puzzle above?

Math Facts Starting in Row 1

  • Circle 16 – 8 – 2 (horizontal) because 16 divided by 8 = 2
  • Circle 8 – 2 – 6 (horizontal) because 8 – 2 = 6
  • Circle 6 – 3 – 9 (horizontal) because 6 + 3 = 9
  • Circle 9 – 3 – 27 (vertical) because 9 x 3 = 27

Math Facts Starting in Row 2

  • Circle 25 – 5 – 5 (horizontal) because 25 divided by 5 = 5
  • Circle 5 – 6 – 30 (vertical) because 5 x 6 = 30
  • Circle 5 – 4 – 20 (vertical) because 5 x 4 = 20

Math Facts Starting in Row 3

  • Circle 6 – 4 – 10 (horizontal) because 6 + 4 = 10
  • Circle 10 – 10 – 20 (vertical) because 10 + 10 = 20

Math Facts Starting in Row 4

  • Circle 30 – 20 – 10 (horizontal) because 30 – 20 = 10
  • Circle 5 – 10 – 15 (vertical) because 5 + 10 = 15

Math Facts Starting in Row 5

  • Circle 20 – 2 – 10 (horizontal) because 20 divided by 2 = 10

Math Facts Starting in Row 6

  • Circle 7 – 4 – 3 (horizontal) because 7 – 4 = 3
  • Circle 5 – 3 – 15 (horizontal) because 5 x 3 = 15

 

FACT FINDER WORKSHEET PUZZLE 4

 
 

12

6

1

36

9

4

5

4

9

6

54

2

14

8

3

6

18

72

28

7

4

7

9

16

6

6

12

8

2

4

12

42

3

11

4

7

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Can students find 14 math facts hidden in the puzzle above?

Math Facts Starting in Row 1

  • Circle 12 – 4 – 3 (right diagonal) because 12 divided by 4 = 3
  • Circle 36 – 9 – 4 (horizontal) because 36 divided by 9 = 4

Math Facts Starting in Row 2

  • Circle 5 – 4 – 9 (horizontal) because 5 + 4 = 9
  • Circle 9 – 6 – 54 (horizontal) because 9 x 6 = 54

Math Facts Starting in Row 3

  • Circle 3 – 6 – 18 (horizontal) because 3 x 6 = 18
  • Circle 3 – 4 - 12 (vertical) because 3 x 4 = 12
  • Circle 18 – 9 – 2 (vertical) because 19 divided by 9 = 2
  • Circle 72 – 9 – 8 (left diagonal) because 72 divided by 9 = 8

Math Facts Starting in Row 4

  • Circle 28 – 7 – 4 (horizontal) because 28 divided by 7 = 4
  • Circle 7 – 6 – 42 (vertical) because 7 x 6 = 42
  • Circle 7 – 9 – 16 (horizontal) because 7 + 9 = 16

Math Facts Starting in Row 5

  • Circle 6 – 6 – 12 (horizontal) because 6 + 6 = 12
  • Circle 8 – 2 – 4 (horizontal) because 8 divided by 2 = 4

Math Facts Starting in Row 6

  • Circle 11 – 4 – 7 (horizontal) because 11 – 4 = 7


FACT FINDER WORKSHEET PUZZLE 5

30

6

5

15

3

5

9

3

6

7

13

12

5

9

11

5

6

8

4

6

81

16

7

42

15

8

7

4

1

6

30

48

32

4

8

12

Can students find 17 math facts hidden in the puzzle above?

Math Facts Starting in Row 1

  • Circle 30 – 6 – 5 (horizontal) because 30 divided by 6 = 5
  • Circle 6 – 3 – 9 (vertical) because 6 + 3 = 9
  • Circle 5 – 6 – 11 (vertical) because 5 + 6 = 11
  • Circle 15 – 3 – 5 (horizontal) because 15 divided by 3 = 5
  • Circle 15 – 6 – 9 (left diagonal) because 15 – 6 = 9

Math Facts Starting in Row 2

  • Circle 9 – 3 – 6 (horizontal) because 9 – 3 = 6
  • Circle 9 – 5 – 4 (vertical) because 9 – 5 = 4
  • Circle 9 – 9 – 81 (right diagonal) because 9 x 9 = 81
  • Circle 7 – 6 – 42 (right diagonal) because 7 x 6 = 42
  • Circle 13 – 6 – 7 (vertical) because 13 – 6 = 7

Math Facts Starting in Row 3

  • None

Math Facts Starting in Row 4

  • Circle 4 – 8 – 32 (right diagonal) because 4 x 8 = 32
  • Circle 6 – 8 – 48 (vertical) because 6 x 8 = 48
  • Circle 16 – 4 – 4 (vertical) because 16 divided by 4 = 4
  • Circle 7 – 1 – 8 (vertical) because 7 + 1 = 8

Math Facts Starting in Row 5

  • Circle 15 – 8 – 7 (horizontal) because 15 – 8 = 7

Math Facts Starting in Row 6

  • Circle 32 – 4 – 8 (horizontal) because 32 divided by 4 = 8
  • Circle 4 – 8 – 12 (horizontal) because 4 + 8 = 12

 

FACT FINDER WORKSHEET PUZZLE 6

16

7

8

56

36

12

49

4

7

28

9

8

2

8

5

1

5

4

42

6

3

3

8

24

30

2

5

6

2

12

64

8

8

18

9

2

Can students find 16 math facts hidden in the puzzle above?

Math Facts Starting in Row 1

  • Circle 8 – 4 – 2 (left diagonal) because 8 divided by 4 = 2
  • Circle 56 – 7 – 8 (left diagonal) because 56 divided by 7 = 8

Math Facts Starting in Row 2

  • Circle 4 – 7 – 28 (horizontal) because 4 x 7 = 28
  • Circle 7 – 1 – 8 (right diagonal) because 7 + 1 = 8
  • Circle 8 – 5 – 3 (left diagonal) because 8 – 5 = 3

Math Facts Starting in Row 3

  • Circle 8 – 6 – 2 (vertical) because 8 – 6 = 2
  • Circle 5 – 6 – 30 (left diagonal) because 5 x 6 = 30
  • Circle 5 – 3 – 2 (right diagonal) because 5 – 3 = 2

Math Facts Starting in Row 4

  • Circle 6 – 2 – 8 (vertical) because 6 + 2 = 8
  • Circle 3 – 5 – 8 (vertical) because 3 + 5 = 8
  • Circle 3 – 6 – 9 (right diagonal) because 3 + 6 = 9
  • Circle 3 – 5 – 8 (left diagonal) because 3 + 5 =8
  • Circle 3 – 6 – 18 (vertical) because 3 x 6 = 18

Math Facts Starting in Row 5

  • Circle 6 – 2 – 12 (horizontal) because 6 x 2 = 12

Math Facts Starting in Row 6

  • Circle 64 – 8 – 8 (horizontal) because 64 divided by 8 = 8
  • Circle 18 – 9 – 2 (horizontal) because 18 divided by 9 = 2

 

Lesson Plan Source

EducationWorld.com

Submitted By

Gary Hopkins

National Standards

MATHEMATICS: Number and Operations
GRADES 3 – 5
NM-NUM.3-5.1 Understand Numbers, Ways of Representing Numbers, Relationships Among Numbers, and Number Systems
NM-NUM.3-5.2 Understand Meanings of Operations and How They Relate to One Another NM-NUM.3-5.3 Compute Fluently and Make Reasonable Estimates
GRADES 6 - 8
NM-NUM.6-8.1 Understand Numbers, Ways of Representing Numbers, Relationships Among Numbers, and Number Systems
NM-NUM.6-8.2 Understand Meanings of Operations and How They Relate to One Another NM-NUM.6-8.3 Compute Fluently and Make Reasonable Estimates

Find links to more math lesson ideas in these Education World archives:

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Lesson Planning/Math Archive
Math Subject Center
Teacher-Submitted Lessons -- Math
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Math Worksheet Library

 

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