Classrooms need to incorporate a range of methods to teach students a variety of skills. I'd like to point out that yes, hands-on and active learning experiences are still by far some of the best teaching strategies! However, there doesn't need to be a total ban (like I am seeing in some schools) on the traditional worksheet either. This post will outline the various reasons why balance is key and worksheets are not a total enemy!
Much has been said about using worksheets in class. I can hear the groans and grumbles now from both students and ivory tower academics. Oh no worksheets! Many perceive worksheets to be pointless, boring, busywork, that are made to save teachers time and energy. I am sure you’ve heard it all before. While yes, I agree with the fact that a classroom shouldn't be run on worksheets only, I don't think we need to label worksheets as an 'enemy' either - as with everything in life, balance is key!
So what benefits do worksheets provide in your classroom?
Worksheets have always been with us as educators and students and the key is to use the proper worksheets in balanced and meaningful ways. We don’t feel bad about story time, art, music, using beads or cubes for math, so why should we feel bad about using the occasional and well-crafted worksheet? Too much of anything can be a bad thing. Moderation is key in all things, teaching and learning are no exception. Students thrive in an environment where mixed methods and a variety of resources are used to explain concepts, spark creativity, and ensure learning. Worksheets do not have to be boring either. These days you can find many worksheet activities that are engaging and detailed. They can address a variety of subjects from math to reading to art to history. Worksheets do not have to be for busy work or for little kids. They can be made to reach students of any age group or grade. Furthermore, they can serve the purpose of any needs students might have, from helping students with learning disabilities, to existing as fun and non- threatening ways to help students improve their reading comprehension and math skills. Worksheets do not have to be mindless. There are worksheets that can create mindfulness, utilize critical thinking skills, and provide students with tools and time for calm reflection. So, choosing quality worksheets over meaningless ones is important if you are going to include it in your classroom. Carefully pick high-quality worksheets that will provide numerous benefits over simple ones that can easily be labeled as just 'busy work'. Students can read a mystery story on a worksheet, individually or as a group, and then discuss this story with each other. They can be prompted to answer reading comprehension questions or given tools to write their own mystery stories. The Math Mysteries and Reading Mysteries that I designed incorporate critical thinking and deductive reasoning skills within to extend the benefits of the worksheets. Picking quality worksheets that provide students with a challenge in a meaningful way are far better than a regular and boring 'drill to kill' type of worksheet. Worksheets do not have to be overly simple. In fact, there are worksheets that can translate difficult or challenging concepts in ways that are clear, brief, and full of imagery and description. And of course, worksheets do not have to be and are not a symptom or crutch of bad teaching. Worksheets are a tool that any instructor should feel good about using - as long as it's in moderation of course! If you are looking for some fun and unique ways to incorporate worksheets and learning in your classroom, you might want to try out one of my Math Mysteries. Here's a FREE differentiated Math Mystery Bundle available in my TpT shop (also available on my website shop too.)
The Case of the Super Bad Superhero Math Mystery - Kindergarten Edition
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A Fun Math Review Activity. This FREE Math Mystery will engage and motivate your students during math time. 5'Ws Structured Mystery -- In Case of The Super Bad Superhero, students must use their math skills to discover five important clues about the case: who, where, when, what and why. Students will need to cut out the picture answer on their clue sheet and paste to their Mystery Case file until all five have been completed. FREE Spiral Review Math Mystery: Case of the Super bad Superhero - 1st Grade Edition
$0.00
FREE Spiral Review Math Mystery: the Case of the Super Bad Superhero -1st Grade Edition. This math activity is a fun way to review and practice mathematical skills in the classroom or at home. Ideal for spiral review, consolidation, math centers, homework, enrichment, early-finisher or the sub-tub. EASY PREP, print and solve! Students must complete math worksheets to unlock clues. Then, use their powers of deduction to narrow down the list of possibilities to solve the mystery case! FREE Math Mystery: Case of the Super Bad Superhero - 2nd Grade Edition
$0.00
FREE Math Mystery: the Case of the Super Bad Superhero This math activity is a fun way to review and practice mathematical skills in the classroom or at home. Ideal for spiral review, consolidation, math centers, homework, enrichment, early-finisher or the sub-tub. EASY PREP, print and solve! Students must complete math worksheets to unlock clues. Then, use their powers of deduction to narrow down the list of possibilities to solve the mystery case! FREE Math Mystery: Case of the Super Bad Superhero - 3rd Grade Edition
$0.00
FREE Math Mystery: the Case of the Super Bad Superhero. This math activity is a fun way to review and practice mathematical skills in the classroom or at home. Ideal for spiral review, consolidation, math centers, homework, enrichment, early-finisher or the sub-tub. EASY PREP, print and solve! Students must complete math worksheets to unlock clues. Then, use their powers of deduction to narrow down the list of possibilities to solve the mystery case! Free Math Mystery: Case of the Super Bad Superhero - 4th Grade Edition
$0.00
Free Math Mystery: the Case of the Super Bad Superhero. This math activity is a fun way to review and practice mathematical skills in the classroom or at home. Ideal for spiral review, consolidation, math centers, homework, enrichment, early-finisher or the sub-tub. EASY PREP, print and solve! Students must complete math worksheets to unlock clues. Then, use their powers of deduction to narrow down the list of possibilities to solve the mystery case! Free Math Mystery: Case of the Super Bad Superhero - 5th Grade Edition
$0.00
Free Math Mystery: the Case of the Super Bad Superhero. This math activity is a fun way to review and practice mathematical skills in the classroom or at home. Ideal for spiral review, consolidation, math centers, homework, enrichment, early-finisher or the sub-tub. EASY PREP, print and solve! Students must complete math worksheets to unlock clues. Then, use their powers of deduction to narrow down the list of possibilities to solve the mystery case! Free Math Mystery: Case of the Super Bad Superhero - 6th Grade Edition
$0.00
Free Math Mystery: the Case of the Super and Superhero. This math activity is a fun way to review and practice mathematical skills in the classroom or at home. Ideal for spiral review, consolidation, math centers, homework, enrichment, early-finisher or the sub-tub. EASY PREP, print and solve! Students must complete math worksheets to unlock clues. Then, use their powers of deduction to narrow down the list of possibilities to solve the mystery case! 
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AuthorA 21st century School Teacher, Mother, and Wife. 
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