Math at Work 10
Integrated Unit - Spatial Puzzles and Games
It is intended that this unit be integrated throughout the course by using sliding, rotation, construction, deconstruction, and similar puzzles and games.
It is intended that this unit be integrated throughout the course by using sliding, rotation, construction, deconstruction, and similar puzzles and games.
Math at Work 10 Pacing Guide - This pacing guide replaces the previous yearly plan. It has been updated to reflect removed outcomes and provide flexibility for responsive instruction.
Math at Work 10 - 12 and related Math 7 - 9 Outcomes *Updated May 2024*
Math at Work 10 Desmos Activity Collection - A collection of online student Desmos activities organized by unit.
G01 - It is not enough for students to only do the puzzle or play the game. They should be given a variety of opportunities to analyze the puzzles they solve and the games they play. The goal is to develop their problem-solving abilities using a variety of strategies and to be able to apply these skills to other contexts in mathematics.
G01 Students will be expected to analyze puzzles and games that involve spatial reasoning, using problem-solving strategies. [C, CN, PS, R]
(It is intended that this outcome be integrated throughout the course by using sliding, rotation, construction, deconstruction, and similar puzzles and games.)
G01.01 Determine, explain, and verify a strategy to solve a puzzle or to win a game. For example,
guess and check
look for a pattern
make a systematic list
draw or model
eliminate possibilities
simplify the original problem
work backward
develop alternative approaches
G01.02 Identify and correct errors in a solution to a puzzle or in a strategy for winning a game.
G01.03 Create a variation on a puzzle or a game, and describe a strategy for solving the puzzle or winning the game.
Additional Resources and Activities for G01 (spatial puzzles and games):
A Game About Squares - An online game about pushing squares around the screen. Students are given no instructions and have to figure out rules and strategy by playing. It is also available as a phone app.
Skyscraper Puzzles - Your task is to find out which skyscraper is where. You have a grid of squares, all of which contain a skyscraper of various sizes. Around the grid are clues telling you how many skyscrapers you can see from that position. Complete the grid such that every row and column contains the numbers 1 to the size of the grid. Each row and column contains each number only once. The rules around the outside tell you how many skyscrapers you can see. You can't see a shorter skyscraper behind a taller one. The Skyscrapers Puzzle can also be played virtually in Desmos.
Creating Squares from wild.math.org - This game is played on a 5x5 piece of dot paper. Take turns claiming a dot. Whoever completes a square first is the winner. You can play against the computer or a friend. Also an opportunity to talk about parallel and perpendicular lines.
Connect 4 video from Numberphile - Connect-Four is a game in the Tic-Tac-Toe family; the object is to get four stones in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally. There is a "gravity" rule: you can play only in the bottom-most unoccupied cell in a column. The video from Brady Haran talks about some of background on the game. James Allen has even written an entire book on the game and solved it with a computer program.
Play Rush Hour online from Thinkfun Games - Rush Hour is the original sliding block Traffic Jam Puzzle from Thinkfun Games.
Skikaku Puzzles from Nikoli and Skikaku - These puzzles (also known as Rectangles) are spatial puzzles with simple rules involving rectangle areas and factoring.