Starter Tasks - Matchstick Puzzles (x20)

What is this resource?

Twenty unique matchstick puzzle starter/settler tasks fully animated to display their solution with a single click. These puzzles require the students to use lateral problem solving skills with is a vital and essential skill.

FAQ

What does this resource include?

1. 1x PowerPoint document (includes 20 unique animated matchstick puzzles)
2. Instructions on how to implement them within your own presentations.
3. 1x PDF Printable matchstick’s (A4, 44 matchsticks per sheet).

What is Lateral Thinking?

Lateral thinking is a problem solving method which requires the people engaged to use indirect and creating approaches which may not be immediately obvious. As problem solving is vital skill for any future career i believe it is a skill set we should engage all students with.

How do you implement them?

Matchstick puzzles are incredibly versatile and easy to implement. You can implement this sort of task in the classroom in many different ways. A personal favorite of mine is to have a few sets of laminated paper matchsticks on each table and let them interact with the puzzles.

What subject are these tasks good for?

Well, these can be implemented into any subject as starters or settler tasks, the problem solving skills are universally transferable in my oppinion; myself i teach ICT and Computer Science.

What about the other 19 teaching weeks?

A good point, This is only Part 1, I am working on a second part which, when complete, will be linked above. I have around a hundred of these puzzles in books but i am going through them with a fine tooth comb. I am looking to implement puzzles puzzles which fit into two categories:

1. Solvable in 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Animatable using PowerPoint’s tools.