Cross-the-River Logic

This worksheet is designed for students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 to strengthen logical reasoning, planning, and multi-step problem-solving using a classic river-crossing puzzle. Students follow a clear set of rules to help a farmer transport a wolf, a goat, and a cabbage across a river without creating unsafe situations. By recording each move in a chart, learners practice sequencing, tracking conditions, and thinking ahead while reflecting on how different reasoning strategies-human intuition versus systematic or AI-style planning-approach the same challenge.

Learning Goals

• Logical Reasoning & Sequencing (Grades 4-6) – Students plan and record a correct sequence of moves that follows all constraints.
• Multi-Step Problem Solving – Learners track states, anticipate consequences, and avoid rule violations.
• Strategic Planning – Students aim for the optimal solution using careful planning and revision.
• Human vs. AI Reasoning – Learners reflect on how intuition, pattern recognition, and step-by-step logic differ.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to support math reasoning, critical thinking, and executive function skills.
• Classic Logic Puzzle – Uses a well-known problem to focus attention on reasoning rather than background knowledge.
• Structured Recording Chart – Helps students visualize each step and monitor progress.
• Flexible Classroom Use – Suitable for independent work, small groups, enrichment, or logic centers.
• Technology Integration – Encourages comparison between human problem-solving strategies and AI-style logic.

This printable worksheet helps students build confidence with sequencing, logical planning, and constraint-based reasoning. Learners practice thinking ahead, correcting mistakes, and explaining their strategy while reflecting on different approaches to problem-solving. Ideal for classroom or homeschool use, this no-prep activity strengthens critical thinking, executive function, and understanding of how humans and AI reason through complex tasks step by step.

This worksheet is part of our AI vs. Human Thinking collection.