Pebble Puzzles
This collection of thinking
and reasoning puzzles was developed by
William when he was working
in the Solomon Islands.
Very few resources were
available in Primary and Secondary Schools
and so these puzzles were
created using abundantly available resources
from the sea shore; pebbles
and shells.
The
characteristics of a good puzzle in the Maths Classroom are that · It catches the interest of the student · It is simple enough to provide quick
satisfaction · The language of the puzzle is simple to
understand · It is clear what has to be done but the
solution is not obvious · It is clear and evident to the solver
when the correct solution has been reached · A whole graded family of similar
puzzles can be created · The pupils can create their own similar
puzzles · A general strategy of solution emerges
In these puzzles there is an
added ingredient, manipulation. The pebbles can
be moved and the solver can
experiment and try out solutions. Later the solver
will be able to visualise
solutions, perhaps describe a general pattern of solution
which may be expressed
algebraically.