Hi Scott, I like your idea to make a simpler puzzle related to SOMA, but don't be scared to let young kids try the real SOMA also. I've done the giant cardboard box version SOMA with people of all ages, including first and second graders, who are surprisingly persistent in solving the puzzles. If they also make a version from wood cubes that they can keep, that gives them good insight into the puzzle. There's a recent write-up of the activity (targeted towards teachers who want to replicate it in their classrooms) here: http://makingmathvisible.com George http://georgehart.com/ On 2/24/2016 1:36 AM, Scott Kim wrote:
Yes, the classics are classics for a good reason!
A good next question to ask kids is to make up a variation on the puzzle. It can be easier, harder, or just different. And you don't even have to know if the new puzzle is solvable. Just start by having fun asking different versions of the question. I recently set myself the challenge of designing a simpler Soma Cube, and came up with this: http://www.scottkim.com.previewc40.carrierzone.com/blockbyblockjr/
-- Scott
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