Ducks and Snakes Puzzle by Erich Friedman
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Today I would like to introduce you to the Ducks and Snakes Puzzle from Erich Friedman.
Yesterday marked the first Monday of the second semester. This meant it was time to put out a new puzzle on the puzzle table. I have a table in my classroom where I set out a different puzzle each week for students to work on between classes and when they finish their work early.
Over Christmas Break, I typed up puzzle featuring ducks and snakes from Erich Friedman in Puzzle Box, Volume 3 that caught my eye.
The goal of the ducks and snakes puzzle is to arrange the duck pieces and the snake pieces to make two congruent shapes. My initial thought was “How hard could this puzzle be?
There are only six pieces total, and I only have to put three pieces together at a time.” Well, let me tell you: this puzzle is tricky!
I decided that this would be the perfect puzzle to kick off our new semester.
It was so fun to glance up from my desk today and see students huddled around the puzzle table trying their hands at this puzzle. I don’t do anything to advertise the puzzle to students.
Yet, students still seek out the challenge on a weekly basis. It’s a beautiful thing to watch!
Free Download of Ducks and Snakes Puzzle
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Ducks and Snakes Puzzle (PDF)
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I want to say a special thanks to the Grabarchuk Family for sending me a free copy of Puzzle Box, Volume 3 so I can share my love of puzzles with my students.
Puzzle Solutions
Puzzle solutions are available on a password-protected solution page. I do not openly post the puzzle answer keys because one of my goals as a resource creator is to craft learning experiences for students that are non-google-able. I want teachers to be able to use these puzzles in their classrooms without the solutions being found easily on the Internet.
Please email me at sarah@mathequalslove.net for the password to the answer key database featuring all of my printable puzzles and math worksheets. I frequently have students emailing me for the answer key, so please specify in your email what school you teach at and what subjects you teach. If you do not provide these details, I will not be able to send you the password.
Not a teacher? Go ahead and send me an email as well. Just let me know what you are using the puzzles for. I am continually in awe of how many people are using these puzzles with scouting groups, with senior adults battling dementia, or as fun activities in their workplace. Just give me enough details so I know you are not a student looking for answers to the puzzle that was assigned as their homework!
I love the idea of a puzzle table, it's something I definitely want to incorporate into my classroom this year. My only concern is that students may be distracted by the puzzles when I want them to be focused on something else. Have you found this at all?
Several of my students have been very determined to figure this one out, but they have not had any luck!!
Do you have a picture of the answer?
Possibly.
I preppred this for my first day of school this year and now I am worried about using it because I cannot find a solution! Please help!
Sending you an email!
My kids and I are stumped!