Developing Deductive and Mathematical Reasoning Skills

Do you remember when you were a child and you sent messages back and forth to friends in the form of secret codes?  I remember the ‘status symbol’ of secret codes was being able to create a code that no one could crack.  With the influx of electronic entertainment, it seems children today miss out on some of the fun things, which gave us valuable thinking skills we didn’t realize we were learning,  we adults used to do as kids.

     Critical Thinking Company has a slew of workbook and computer activities that help children learn and reinforce deductive reasoning and inference. We were given a copy of Crypto Mind Benders to use and review.  It is a very challenging workbook.  Intended for children in grades 3-12, Crypto Mind Benders gives students 2 or more mathematical puzzles which, when solved, allow students to solve a cryptogram.  Each cryptogram is a famous quotation. Thankfully, the first couple of pages contain a sample activity with complete instructions on how to solve it. 

     Honestly, my children have struggled with these puzzles.  I have even struggled with them.  I have an eleventh grader and a ninth grader who give up on them after just a few minutes because they think they are too complicated.  I find them challenging and virtually drive myself crazy if I can’t solve one.  I definitely see value in the skills being reinforced by Crypto Mind Benders.  Students, including my own children, are so used to solutions being handed to them that these puzzles frustrate them – in a good way (by making them think).  I am going to continue giving these to my own kids over the summer to give their brains a little ‘exercise.’  I really think that they will eventually see them as something fun to do.  I can see the benefits they are reaping in their math and logical thinking skills.  I am even considering incorporating some of these puzzles into my ACT Prep class when we are working through math preparation. 

     I think Crypto Mind Benders is a good concept and effective workbook.  I would recommend it to both classroom teachers and homeschoolers who are looking for educational activities to be used for extra credit, game time, or rewards.  On the Critical Thinking Company website, you can look inside the workbook to see what it is all about.  You may purchase this workbook, as well as many others, on the website.  Crypto Mind Benders retails for $10.99.  It is a consumable workbook, if you use the paperback version.  However, fortunately it is available as an e-book for $10.99.  The e-book version would be ideal for use with multiple children.

      My friends on the TOS Homeschool Crew have been using and reviewing Crypto Mind Benders, as well as other Critical Thinking Company products.  To read their great reviews, check out the main crew blog page.

**Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are mine.**