Lesson Idea | Break It Down! by Corwin

The “Break It Down!” lesson introduces students to the concept of decomposition, a core computational thinking skill that helps make large or complex problems easier to solve by breaking them into smaller, manageable parts. Using hands-on puzzles with brick walls and cardboard faces, students practice decomposing a big challenge into single-unit problems, creating math equations, and applying their solutions step by step until the whole puzzle is solved. The lesson ties directly to math concepts like multiplication and addition while also strengthening problem-solving and collaboration. It is designed for students ages 8–14 (grades 3–8) and can be adapted for both younger learners (using tally marks) and older students (working with quantities and equations).