WEBSITE: Science and Math Puzzles

[Ryan Goble]

Science and Math Puzzles Website

High school educator (and puzzle master) Avi Ornstein posts weekly puzzles (and answers to the previous week’s puzzle) on his website. Teachers can use the puzzles to spark discussion among students. A sample: “In considering important rivers, how are the Nile and Seine different from the Mississippi, Volga, Hudson, Rhone, Niger, and the Euphrates?”

http://www.aviornstein.com/

[Deborah Leslie]

I took a look at this guy's website, since I love checking out new puzzles (even though I am not very great at coming up with the solutions). I found it slightly disappointing, as it is basically just a way promote his puzzle book through touting his many achievements and MIT alumnus status. I think there are probably a lot better sites that have weekly or even daily brainteasers!

[Ryan Goble]

Deborah, thank you for taking a closer look at the materials - maybe the book is groovy? As you find more resources don't hesitate to post them in the math discussion forum! Sharing is caring! BTW - I loved your comment about "not hating every class" today - it was lol and intelligent :)

RRG:)

[Deborah Leslie]

Oh good! After I talked about hating the activity and class, I was a bit anxious to see if it would be offensive to you. I didn't mean that I hate the class or how you teach; I just meant that differentiation is less about making sure everybody LIKES what and how they are learning and more about ensuring that the greatest amount of students in your classroom ARE learning. I definitely did not enjoy drawing a cartoon about my reading, but I will remember what I read and what I drew for a long time. Brain research has shown that memory is linked to emotion, so if teachers can evoke a strong emotion about their subject matter, there is a greater chance of long term memory. Perhaps I have an advantage in this area by becoming a math teacher; from my experiences, the majority of students already have strong emotions tied up in math, albeit negative emotions of strong dislike...

[Ryan Goble]

Yes, emotion (and positive ones) and mindset are key. Creating a wide range of learning activities is key to make sure the negative emoitions don't block learning - and baboom - because it was novel (not a MC quiz) you will likely remember it more.

Finding ways to phrase these things in a positive manner is key for a positive classroom culture - but it is something we all have to work at :) I was not offended at all - you raised a great point!