Fun with Character: Brainteasers
Brainteasers are a great test of one’s ability to let go of paradigms that can restrict your thinking. Brainteasers can be verbal or visual. Some examples are below:
Riddles
A riddle is a question in which the answer is usually a play on words, contains a double meaning, or is a trick question. Mary’s father has 5 daughters – Nana, Nene, Nini, Nono. What is the fifth daughter’s name? If you answered Nunu, you are wrong. It’s Mary!
Find more riddles here>>
Optical Illusions
Pictures that the brain can perceive in different ways. Rubin’s vase can be seen as a vase or two faces looking at each other.
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Logic Puzzles
Logic Puzzles can be a simple question with a single answer, or it can be a grid-type question where you are given several facts and asked to deduce a single answer or a pairing of answers. Anne, Olivia, and Jenita are the daughters of Mr. Jack, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Ran. Four of these people are playing badminton doubles. Mr. Ran’s daughter and Mr. Jack are partners. Anne’s father and Mr. Brown’s daughter are also partners. There are not any father-daughter combinations. Who is Anne’s father? As there are not any father-daughter combinations, Mr. Brown is not Anne’s father. Anne can play with Mr.Jack, so he cannot be her father. Therefore, Mr.Ran is Anne’s father.
Find more logic puzzles here>>
There are many types of brainteaser puzzles. Choose some that are appropriate for your classroom. Divide the students into groups and let them work on a brain teaser together. When they are done, let each group share their puzzle and answer with the class.
To process the activity, ask these or similar questions:
Was it fun to solve a puzzle?
(If you struggled, it is okay. Everyone has puzzles that are easier for them, and this one may not be your type.)
Did you have to look at something differently to see the truth of the puzzle?
Do you think your experiences affect how you see a puzzle? In other words, do experiences affect your perspective?
Once you saw the trick or twist in the puzzle, did it become obvious?
Did this activity help you see the value of a different perspective?
Final thought: By challenging your brain to think in different ways, you can train your brain to think creatively when solving the puzzles that life throws your way.