Early finishers and morning work: levelled number puzzles, printed once
Early finishers need something worth doing that doesn't need a new lesson. Sumbloom's puzzles explain themselves, come in three levels and practise arithmetic and reasoning together.
How education teams use Sumbloom Puzzle Book
- Print a set of easy Target puzzles and 4x4 Cage Grids for the early-finisher tray.
- Use medium puzzles as morning work two or three days a week.
- Offer 6x6 grids and hard Brick Pyramids as enrichment for students ready for early algebra.
- Keep the answer key at your desk or let students self-check.
Start with the free sampler: 18 puzzles (the first two of every section) with answers, so you can test them with your class first.
From the book's puzzles.json, Sumbloom Puzzle Book Vol. 1 v1.0.0
| # | Kind | Level | Puzzle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Target | Easy | 4 5 6 9 9 20 → 99 |
| 31 | Cage Grid 4×4 | Easy | 10 cages, one solution |
| 51 | Cage Grid 5×5 | Medium | one solution |
| 71 | Cage Grid 6×6 | Hard | one solution |
| 111 | Brick Pyramid | Hard | 5 givens, algebra needed |
Source: Sumbloom Puzzle Book v1.0.0 puzzles.json (generated by products/sumbloom-book/src/engines.py; 120 puzzles re-solved by products/sumbloom-book/tests/book_test.py; rows in products/sumbloom-book/store/listing.json).
FAQ
Do students need to know algebra?
No for most puzzles; only the hard Brick Pyramids need simple algebra.
Why not free puzzle sites?
Free sites are fine for one-offs; this book gives you 120 print-ready, levelled puzzles with a key in one consistent design.
Sumbloom Puzzle Book: full guide with prices and alternatives · All use cases · Store