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Enrique Ortiz

Participants will solve and create puzzles involving two original visualization thinking games designed to help students learn math concepts especially geometrical concepts (such as, identify geometric shapes, find area and perimeter, construct geometric informal proofs, describe proportional relationships, use transformation geometry, explore concepts of similarity, identity types of triangles based on sides and/or angles, and others). The Triangle Puzzle involves the use of triangular pieces to compose and decompose geometric figures. The Rectangularix puzzle includes the use of a 10-by-10 with 6 colors , 8-by-8 with 4 colors or 6-by-6 with 3 colors grids with clues provided by using colors for some of the squares. The challenge is to find the respective rectangles and their area using the clues. We will discuss the challenges, benefits and rewards of using visualization games to teach math.

Attendee Benefits

Participants will solve and explain how cognitive levels (Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract or CPA framework) with the addition of a proposed Virtual cognitive level (CPVA framework) to accommodate for virtual manipulatives and visualization thinking are involved in their and/or possible students' solution processes; discuss possible general benefits, rewards and challenges of using games for learning; discuss ways to scaffolding learning as the puzzles are used by students; receive physical Triangle Puzzle sets to take home and a model to be used to make sets of the puzzle; receive links to Google doc to access original activities related to the puzzles, which I update regularly; discuss ideas related to the interconnectedness of different cognitive levels (CPVA); discuss an original virtual version of the Rectangularix; create versions of activities using the puzzles for their own classrooms; and discuss ideas and a model to implement visualization thinking and cognitive levels during lessons.