GAMES:

Sunken Treasures

About this game:

This is one of our favorite problem solving games. Only the person who is acting as the pirate gets to read the rules. Then, much like a magician, the pirate uses omission, misdirection, and subterfuge to explain the rules in a way that masks the true key to winning. Only when the spice merchants begin to think for themselves, observe the data, and use logic and process of elimination can they outsmart the pirate and recapture enough treasure (spices) to remain profitable. This game is meant to be played quickly several times in a row so that spice merchants learn from previous trial and error.

Ages: 11 & up
Number of Players: 1 - 4
Length of Play: 45 - 60 Minutes
Collaborative/Competitive: Collaborative (players form a team to compete with the pirate
Activity Sequence Number: F.2

Skills:

Uses: Number Sense, Percents

Develops & Uses: Factors & Common Multiples, Problem Solving, Reasoning, Strategy

NCTM Standards:

Pre-K - 2

N/A

Grades 3 - 5

1.1.0 Understand numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers and number systems.

1.2.1 Understand various meanings of multiplication and division.

2.1.0 Understand patterns, relations, and functions.

2.1.1 Describe, extend, and make generalizations about geometric and numeric patterns.

6.3.0 Apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems.

7.1.0 Recognize reasoning and proof as fundamental aspect of mathematics.

7.2.0 Make and investigate mathematical conjectures.

8.1.0 Organize and consolidate their mathematical thinking through communication.

8.2.0 Communicate their mathematical thinking coherently and clearly to peers, teachers, and others. 8.3.0 Analyze and evaluate the mathematical thinking and strategies of others.

9.1.0 Recognize and use connections among mathematical ideas.

Grades 6 - 9

1.1.6 Use factors, multiples, prime factorization and relatively prime numbers to solve problems.

6.1.0 Build new mathematical knowledge through problem solving.

6.3.0 Apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems

7.1.0 Recognize reasoning and proof as fundamental aspect of mathematics.

7.2.0 Make and investigate mathematical conjectures.

8.1.0 Organize and consolidate their mathematical thinking through communication.

8.2.0 Communicate their mathematical thinking coherently and clearly to peers, teachers, and others. 8.3.0 Analyze and evaluate the mathematical thinking and strategies of others.

9.1.0 Recognize and use connections among mathematical ideas.

Tips & Tricks:

Administrators and math coaches, this is excellent activity in professional development workshops on problem solving for teachers themselves. Assign teachers of all grade levels to each of the teams.