SamizdatMath

This is a second set of 10 3-D spatial problem solving puzzles that use 2 - 3 of the seven Soma pieces. There are three different kinds of puzzles: Basic Puzzles: These are puzzles which show the solution to the puzzle in three different colors. Students have to locate the proper pieces and assemble them as shown in the diagram. Intermediate Puzzles: These are puzzles where the solver is told which 2 - 3 pieces to use, but not how they fit together. Students locate the individual pieces and th

Note: You can get this material for free if you purchase Set of 10 Wooden Soma Cubes This is the first of a set of increasingly difficult challenges which are based on the 7 piece Soma cube. The Soma cube, if you aren't familiar with it, is a 3 x 3 cube dissected into 7 different pieces. It makes an excellent platform for inspiring your students to do 3-Dimensional spatial problem solving. This is the first collection that is based on "2 piece" puzzles. There are three different levels of cha

First of all, let’s get one thing out of the way: Archimedes never used the Greek letter “pi” when he used it to calculate the area and circumference of a circle. No, never; so just by reading this blurb you've learned something new! The point of this activity is threefold: the first is to show that as you double the diameter of a circle, the area of that circle would quadruple. That’s a very important concept, because many of your students have only experienced relationships where if

This packet is my way of serving all masters concerning the implications of summer math work: it has a limited number of activities that are not high stress - in fact, it’s five different games, some classic (Picos, Fermis and Bagels, Salute! & PIG!) and others that will be “new to you” (By the Digits, Close to 100), as well as a geometry puzzle featuring the Sphinx puzzle pieces.  Here’s what you get: • Picos, Fermis and Bagels: This is based on the board game “Mastermind,” which challenges

These activities are centered around the idea of measuring and constructing pitched roofs. Depending on a building's cost, function and location, a roof can either have a very steep pitch (which would mean a very acute angle, like you would find on ski houses in the mountains) or an obtuse angle (like a house in the tropics where it rains a lot and the water has to run off slowly to prevent flooding.) These activities are designed for students to work on individually or in pairs: the first part