Brain Strain: A Mental Muscle Workout That's Fun! 73 Puzzles from Odyssey
OverDrive Read Series
on Goodreads (8)
What’s inside...
Take a rollercoaster ride through an unpredictable universe of brain teasers! Originally published in ODYSSEY science magazine, the book comprises 73 puzzles combining art, science, mathematics, computers, and more to challenge and expand your mind. Each puzzle is illustrated and does not require specialized knowledge, only a willingness to engage and stretch your mental abilities.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-15
Length
189 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Which puzzle challenged you the most, and what strategy did you use to solve it?
How do you feel when you solve a difficult puzzle in the book?
Can you think of a real-life situation where you could use the skills you learned from these puzzles?
What new thing did you learn from this book, and how might you apply it in your daily life?
If you could create your own puzzle, what would it look like and what skills would it test?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to articulate the problem-solving steps they took, reinforcing logical thinking.
Praise their efforts, not just their achievements, to cultivate a growth mindset towards challenging tasks.
Discuss the importance of persistence and strategies for handling frustration when faced with difficult puzzles.
Relate the puzzles to real-world problems and ask your child how they might use their new skills to approach these situations.
Create a family puzzle night using examples from the book to foster a fun and collaborative learning environment.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: Through engaging with various puzzles that range in difficulty, children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children apply these skills in academic settings and daily challenges, enhancing their ability to navigate complex situations.
Example Lesson: Patience and Perseverance
Explanation: Some puzzles in 'Brain Strain' are quite challenging and require multiple attempts to solve, teaching children the value of patience and persistence.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand that not all problems can be solved immediately and that steady effort often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Creative Thinking
Explanation: Puzzles often have more than one approach to reaching a solution, which encourages children to think creatively and explore different possibilities.
Real-World Application: This fosters innovation and versatility in real-life problem solving, allowing children to adapt to various scenarios in novel ways.
Example Lesson: Attention to Detail
Explanation: Success in solving puzzles often depends on noticing subtle clues and patterns, honing children's attention to detail.
Real-World Application: This skill is crucial in academic excellence and in tasks requiring precision, helping children achieve thoroughness in their work.