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Mystery of the Mind Maze

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Lesson Plan

Mystery of the Mind Maze Lesson Plan

Students will collaboratively solve a series of themed puzzles to sharpen critical thinking skills, practice a growth mindset by persisting through challenges, and reflect on their problem-solving strategies.

Engaging in structured puzzles builds perseverance, teamwork, and metacognition. This lesson fosters a growth mindset by celebrating effort and iterative thinking, equipping Grades 3–5 learners with transferable problem-solving habits.

Audience

Grades 3–5 Elementary Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Hands-on group puzzles, reflection, and growth mindset discussion.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials & Stations

25 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to the Mind Maze

10 minutes

  • Project the main puzzle on the Mind Maze Slide Deck and read the scenario together.
  • Explain objectives: critical thinking, teamwork, and growth mindset.
  • Define growth mindset: mistakes are learning steps.
  • Ask students to share a time they solved a tricky problem.

Step 2

Puzzle Station Rotations

25 minutes

  • Divide the class into small groups (3–4 students). Rotate through stations every 6 minutes.
  • At each station, solve puzzles from the Mind Maze Puzzle Pack.
  • Record strategies and challenges on chart paper.
  • Use timers to keep each rotation focused.
  • Differentiate:
    • Provide simpler puzzles or hints at one station for emerging learners.
    • Offer extension puzzles or timed challenges for advanced groups.

Step 3

Group Reflection

10 minutes

  • Reconvene and have each group present one puzzle they solved and their strategy.
  • Prompt discussion:
    • “What obstacle did you face?”
    • “How did you adjust your approach?”
  • Note examples of persistence and creative thinking on the board.
  • Highlight collaboration successes.

Step 4

Growth Mindset Discussion

10 minutes

  • Refer to the Growth Mindset Poster Set.
  • Discuss how effort leads to improvement, using examples from puzzles.
  • Ask students to write one “I can’t do it… yet” statement and then reframe it positively.
  • Encourage sharing of reframed statements.

Step 5

Assessment & Closure

5 minutes

  • Distribute an exit ticket: list one challenge, your solution, and a next step to improve.
  • Collect tickets to assess understanding of problem-solving and mindset concepts.
  • Announce optional take-home Puzzle Pack for early finishers who want more challenges.
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Slide Deck

Mystery of the Mind Maze

A journey of puzzles, teamwork, and growth mindset awaits!

Welcome everyone to our "Mystery of the Mind Maze!" Introduce yourself and get students excited about today’s adventure. Explain that they’ll solve puzzles together to escape the maze.

Today's Mission

• Sharpen Critical Thinking
• Collaborate with Your Team
• Embrace a Growth Mindset

Read each objective aloud. Emphasize that we’ll practice critical thinking, collaboration, and celebrate mistakes as learning opportunities.

The Mind Maze Scenario

You’ve discovered an ancient maze. To find your way out, you’ll solve a series of puzzles. Are you ready to unlock the path?

Set the scene: an ancient maze filled with puzzles. Encourage imagination. Explain that solving each puzzle moves them closer to the exit.

Puzzle 1: Pattern Paths

Which path completes the pattern and leads toward the exit?
A) Path A B) Path B C) Path C D) Path D

Display the Puzzle Pack image or project this slide. Give students a moment to observe before revealing answer choices. Encourage them to talk through strategies.

Station Rotations

• Form groups of 3–4 students
• Spend 6 minutes at each puzzle station
• Record strategies & challenges
• Rotate when the timer rings

Explain how rotations work: groups of 3–4, 6 minutes per station, record ideas. Show them where chart paper and markers are.

Group Reflection

• What obstacle did you face?
• How did you adjust your approach?
• What helped your team succeed?

Invite each group to share. Write key strategies and obstacles on the board. Praise creative solutions and persistence.

Growth Mindset Moment

“Mistakes are proof you are trying.”
Write one “I can’t do it… yet” statement and then reframe it positively!

Refer to Growth Mindset Posters. Model reframing an “I can’t do it… yet” statement. Walk around and support students as they write.

Exit Ticket

  1. One challenge you faced today
  2. How you solved it
  3. Your next step to improve

Distribute exit tickets. Allow 3–4 minutes for completion. Collect them as students leave to assess understanding.

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Activity

Mind Maze Puzzle Pack

Below are four themed puzzles for the “Mystery of the Mind Maze.” Each station includes instructions, a brief visual description, and an answer key for the teacher.

Puzzle 1: Pattern Paths

Instructions: Which path completes the pattern and leads toward the exit?
A) Path A B) Path B C) Path C D) Path D

Visual Description:
A square grid with four branching paths. Each path shows a sequence of alternating shapes (circle, square, triangle). Three paths continue the alternating pattern; one path breaks the pattern.

Answer (Teacher Key): Path B
Teacher Notes: Students should notice the alternating sequence (circle → square → triangle → circle) and choose the path that continues it.







Puzzle 2: Code Breaker

Instructions: A secret message is encoded – each number stands for a letter (1=A, 2=B, etc.). Decode the numbers to reveal the next clue:

12 – 5 – 1 – 18 – 14 20 – 8 – 5 12 – 1 – 2 – 25

Visual Description: A series of numbered circles arranged in three words. Below, a key shows 1=A, 2=B … 26=Z.

Answer (Teacher Key): “LEARN THE LABY” (Students should infer “LABYRINTH.”)
Teacher Notes: Encourage phonetic thinking: “LABY” sounds like start of “labyrinth,” leading to the next station.







Puzzle 3: Sequence Stones

Instructions: Four ancient stones rest in a row, each marked with a number. What number should go on the fifth stone to keep the pattern?

Stones: 2, 6, 12, 20, __

Visual Description: Five oval “stones” drawn in a line. The first four have numbers; the fifth is blank.

Answer (Teacher Key): 30
Teacher Notes: The pattern adds consecutive even numbers: +4, +6, +8, +10 → 2+4=6, 6+6=12, 12+8=20, 20+10=30.







Puzzle 4: Mirror Message

Instructions: Read the message written in mirrored letters. Write it correctly to reveal the final code word:

ʇsıʍ noʎ ǝɯ uo ʇuǝlǝɹǝʇuı

Visual Description: A single sentence written backwards, as if reflected in a mirror.

Answer (Teacher Key): “interpret me on you sits” → Reordered: “sit on me, interpret you”
Teacher Notes: Guide students to reverse each word, then reconstruct the sentence logically (“Interpret me on you sits” might clue them to look “on you” or “upon surface”). This leads to a reflection activity next.







Usage: Print each puzzle on a card and place at stations. Provide pencils and timer. After students solve, they rotate to the next station until all puzzles are complete.

Good luck unlocking the maze!

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Mystery of the Mind Maze • Lenny Learning