To wrap up, ask: Would you like to play more games Strategies you found helpful to solving the puzzle? What did you learn? How important is logic versus mathematical understanding to solving a puzzle like this? Ask: What was the most challenging thing about it? What surprised you most? Were there any mathematical When students have finished solving the puzzle, have them reconvene as a whole group to reflect on the experience. You may wish to print out some extra KenKen puzzles from The Times’s KenKen site in case some students solve this puzzle quickly. On the board, post the rules of the game that are listed in theĪrticle. Provide them withĬopies of a KenKen game and divide them into small groups. Tell students that they are going to try solving a KenKen puzzle. Style or philosophy of the inventor of KenKen?Į.What seems to be the most important rule in this game?
Wrap up by telling students that they are going to be reading an article about a new puzzle of Japanese origin that tests puzzle acumen and draws on mathematical skills.Īs a class, read and discuss the article “A New Puzzle Challenges Math Skills”, focusing on the followingĪ.What connection can you find between this game’s name and the way it is designed?ĭ.What does the article tell you about the teaching Ask: What are the skills that they draw upon? Is there a progressionįrom a certain type of game (such as Tic-Tac-Toe or Hangman) that is played during childhood to popular adult puzzles such as Sudoku or crosswords? Are these games purely fun, or can they also be educational? Why Invite students to talk about why they prefer these games over others. Write this list on the board.Īs to the most popular puzzle games among them, and mark them on the board. Have students brainstorm a list of games and puzzles that they consider to be brainteasers. Suggested Time Allowance: 1-2 class periods Sandhya Nankani, The New York Times Learning Network Overview of Lesson Plan: In this lesson, students play KenKen, a Japanese puzzle designed to sharpen arithmetic skills, and consider the associated skills and benefits of this and other math/logic games Teaching ideas based on New York Times content.
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