Inductive and Deductive Reasoning – Spatial Puzzles and Games
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I can solve problems involving inductive and/or deductive reasoning.
I can use reasoning strategies to solve and explain the solutions to puzzles and games
o Guess and check
o Analyze a pattern
o Make a systematic list
o Create a drawing or model
o Eliminate possibilities
o Solve simpler problems
o Work backward
I can create my own puzzles and games and describe the strategies needed to solve or win
them.
Block Puzzles
1. Hoodamath - DuBlox
a. Game link
b. Hoodamath worksheet
c. Other –
i. The Hoodamath worksheet suggests that players work backwards. What are
your thoughts about the effectiveness of this strategy? What other strategies
might be effective?
ii. Create a DuBlox scenario that would be solvable in 7 moves.
iii. Create a Dublox scenario that would be impossible to solve.
2. Hoodamath – Briker 2
a. Game link
b. Other –
i. I want to advance my brick 1 space to the right. What is the minimum number
of moves and tiles needed.
3. Hoodamath – Bloxorz
a. Game link
b. Hoodamath worksheet
c. Other –
i. Create a Bloxorz scenario that would be solvable in 12 moves.
ii. Create a Bloxorz scenario that would be impossible to solve.
iii. If you were teaching a younger child how to play, what strategies would you
show them?
River Crossing Puzzles
1. Goat Crossing
a. Game Link
b. Hoodamath worksheet
c. Other –
i. Write the “crossings” in order on a piece of paper. How many moves did it
take? How can you be sure that this is the most efficient method?
ii. Design your own “river crossing” scenario that includes 5 people or items to
cross. What is the minimum number of moves required?
iii. Design your own “river crossing” scenario that can be solved in 12 moves. What
is the least number or people or items needed?
2. River crossing puzzle – Smartkit
a. Game Link
b. Other –
i. Without reading the instructions, experiment with the game to see which
combinations of people/animals can and cannot be left together. Develop a list
of rules.
Other Puzzles and Games:
1.
Fragments
a. Game link
b. Other –
i. As you complete each level, make a list of the “lessons” or new strategies that
you learn each time.
2. Set Daily Puzzle
a. Game link
b. Other –
i. When first trying the game, do not take the tutorial. Experiment with sets to
determine the rules of the game.
ii. How many cards would be in the complete deck? Explain how you determined
your answer.
iii. Develop your own set of SET cards. What are your rules? Play your game with a
classmate to see if they can determine your rules and find sets.
Deductive Reasoning Scenarios – Crime Scenes
1. Clue Scenario – Who Killed Mr. Brooks?
c. PDF link
d. Other –
i.
This deductive reasoning activity used tables to organise information. Did you
find the tables necessary? What other strategies did you use to help sort and
organize information?
2. Clue Scenario – The Deadly Picnic
a. PDF link
b. Other –
i. How important is deductive reasoning to real-life crime scene investigators?
Justify your answers with researched data.