Math and Logic Puzzles That Make Kids Think!: Grades 6-8

interesting puzzles

Dr. Jeffrey Wanko has published a brilliant Mathematics/Logic resource book. The four Suduko variation puzzles that Dr. Wanko presents are solved through an easy to follow, step by step process. His well made illustrations will not only help your students solve challenging and enjoying puzzles (30 of each variety at three different skill levels--120 in all); but will also hone their deductive reasoning skills. A "must have" for the gifted and accelerated teacher, these language-independent logic puzzles will challenge your students. Please realize the appeal that these puzzles present is enough to intrigue your Inclusion students as well. In addition to the printed examples in the book, Dr. Wanko also explains how to create your own variations of the puzzles. Dr. Wanko's resource book incorporates NCTM's Standards for Grades 6-8 in the following areas:* build new mathematical knowledge through problem solving;* apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems;* monitor and reflect on the process of mathematical problem solving.* recognize reasoning and proof as fundamental aspects of mathematics;* make and investigate mathematical conjectures;Dr. Wanko's instruction in language-independent logic puzzles has been the focus of his presentations at the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation's Scholar Lecture Program.

The Sudoku variations that Dr. Jeffrey Wanko has compiled in his book  Math and Logic Puzzles That Make Kids Think  will certainly provide Math and Gifted teachers with a problem solving resource that will excite and challenge their students. The variations in these puzzles mean they will never grow stale, and by reinforcing and enriching number sense ideas and deductive reasoning skills, teachers can feel confident that Dr. Wanko's book will be a valuable supplementary resource. Dr. Wanko provides clear examples illustrating how to approach and solve each of the four Sudoku variations. He also provides suggestions as to how these puzzles could be used in class, how you can make your own Sudoku variations, and answers for each of the puzzles in the book (of which there are over 100 of them).

This book is wonderful - especially for math teachers! Not only does Dr. Wanko explain how to solve the different types of sudoku variation puzzles, at the end of each chapter, he gives a short explanation on how to create your own puzzles of that variety. He also gives background on the sudoku puzzles and offers suggestions of how to use them in the classroom. In addition, there are 30 puzzles of each variety (a total of 120 puzzles) - 10 each of three different skill levels - plus the answers provided. What a great resource for any math teacher of students grades 6 - 12!

This book should absolutely be a part of every math teacher's collection of resources. The single-solution, language-independent puzzles inside this book will enrich any curriculum by providing a fun and challenging way to learn and think critically. These incredibly rich and masterfully created puzzles will build, develop, and maintain essential deductive reasoning skills amongst solvers of any age. This book has become part of my collection and weekly routine and I strongly encourage any teacher or lover of puzzles to pick up a copy of this book and share it with everyone the know!

Bought as a gift for our PGCE student, but having looked at it I think I will buy it to use with some of my classes. A good selection of logic puzzles, all based around the sudoku puzzle.