“Problems stressing deduction rather than calculation have a special appeal and value. They teach you to analyze, and to seek unorthodox ways of solving a problem.”
—Boris Kordemsky
Today I’m sharing a few treats from The Moscow Puzzles by Boris Kordemsky, which mixes classic brainteasers and original stumpers.
Recreational math expert Martin Gardner called Kordemsky’s book “the outstanding puzzle collection in the history of Russian mathematics.”
Have fun playing logic with your kids!
A great classic game for groups or family play.
Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!
Math Concepts: addition to ten thousand, probability with dice.
Players: any number.
Equipment: six six-sided dice, pencil and paper for keeping score.
Writing to Learn Math: What did the author mean? Put the thought in your own words. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own?
Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: Notice. Wonder. Create.
Do you have math dreams for your children?
Here are some dreams shared the authors of Avoid Hard Work!
This game challenges students to think strategically about the meaning of decimal numbers and place value.
Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!
Math Concepts: decimals, place value, numerical order.
Players: any number.
Equipment: one deck of math cards, whiteboard and markers for each player, or pencils and blank paper.
Writing to Learn Math: Research prompts help students view math as a human endeavor.
Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own?
Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: Notice. Wonder. Create.
One of my favorite things as a teacher was to gather a group of children to play math together.
Call it a math club or math circle, the name didn’t matter, but the activity was always fun. We did non-schooly games and projects, and the kids enjoyed both the camaraderie and the experience of thinking hard in a stress-free setting.
If you’d like to pull together a math club/circle of your own, here are some tips.
Today’s puzzle involves an unusual teacher trying to collect students to participate in a group activity…
If want to drill multiplication math facts, this game is one of my favorite ways to practice.
Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!
Math Concepts: multiplication facts, times tables.
Players: any number.
Equipment: pencil and paper, optional printed blank hundred chart.
Writing to Learn Math: Problem-solving cares less about whether an answer is right and more about whether a solution makes sense.
Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own?
Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: Notice. Wonder. Create.
Puzzles can be fun ways to idle away a stormy afternoon. Or they can be doorways into the world of math, invitations to explore.
And puzzles are great for teaching, too!
Here is a puzzle from a master of mathematical ingenuity…
Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math 