ABC Math Riddles

Ideas for Parents and Teachers

Creating math riddles that rhyme is a wonderful way to explore the connection between the world of math and the worlds of reading, writing, the arts, and the environment. Here are some ideas for enhancing your enjoyment of this book.

• Instruct children to wait until all clues have been given before guessing the riddle. Have the child who guesses the answer first say the correct word, spell it out, then choose a new math riddle to read.
• Create math riddles! Let children choose something they are curious about. Begin with letter and word clues. Look up definitions in the dictionary to make sure you've got the just-right words. Pay attention to rhythm as well as rhymes. End each riddle with a question, inviting others to answer your riddle.

  Start with a simple riddle such as this one for square:

  I am a shape that begins with an S.

  I have four equal sides. What is your guess?

   

• Share riddles! You can give them to someone else to read or you can perform them in front of others. Another way to share your riddle is to set it to music!
• As extended activities, encourage children to draw or sculpt the subjects of their riddles. For ideas, look for math concepts and shapes in the world around you&emdash;at school, at home, in the city, in the country, in the arts, and in nature.

Have fun!