Group problem solving idea

[Lara]

Am currently looking for ways to use the whiteboard to improve collaborative group work. I found these instructionless games, and although it could alos be tackled by a group using a PC, the potential for discussion around the whiteboard and sharing a though process with the whole class mean it would work well as a group board task.
More tricky - www.smart-kit.com/games/IO (http://www.smart-kit.com/games/IO)
Easier but getting increasingly difficult - www.smart-kit.com/games/factory-balls (http://www.smart-kit.com/games/factory-balls)

[caryn]

Lara - Thank you so much for that link. There are so many addictive thinking skills games that I know are going to be perfect for my next club "Interactive Thinking Skills"
The kids will love them[clap][clap]

[caryn]

Sorry Lara - I was so excited I forgot to post these links. They are thinking skills and most work well for group work.

http://www.vtaide.com/png/puzzles.htm
http://www.kurwongbss.eq.edu.au/thinking/Contracts/contracts.htm

[Westlake]

Try Sudoku as a starter activity.
Discussing the logic and strategy, and convincing others are good examples of group problem-solving. The activity can be completed quite quickly too.
I will attach an example when I have woken up properly.
Hilary

[BenPosner]

Hilary is absolutely right! I work with third graders, and they love picture Sudoku, where they have to use the logic to place pictures in the correct boxes instead of the numbers. These can be found on edhelper.com or abcteach.com (both are member sites, but I may be able to give a passwork if you PM me!)

~Ben

[Westlake]

A couple of Sudoku pages - prepared for demos, so I spent some time setting them up and wouldn't go to so much trouble for a regular activity.
I wonder if Margaret's Animaru sudoku flipchart is still out there?
Using 'drag a copy' it is really easy to incorporate any images. How about pictures of the children, the school pets, the teachers, local road signs, food, letters of the alphabet, words, mathematical symbols....
Hilary
memo to self: wait for the coffee to wear off before posting to the Forum

[Westlake]

Have a look at this thread for Sudoku ideas and resources
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/common/html/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=1449&highlight=sudoku [clap]
Hilary

[BenPosner]

Hilary,

Great flipchart! Thanks for sharing both number Sudoku and picture Sudoku... I think both are important to building children's logical skills! I hope that everyone enjoys them!

~Ben