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Hill uses Rubik’s Cubes to teach math #dyscalculia

Have you ever solved a Rubik’s Cube? It is considered one of the hardest puzzles there is, however, it teaches concepts while students believe they are playing with a toy. It is an excellent way to start math learning, early.

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Middle school teacher Catherine Hill devised a way to teach her students problem solving and perseverance—using Rubik’s Cubes. The Rubik’s company’s educator lending program allowed Hill to borrow thirty-five cubes to use in her classroom for a month. It was an excellent way to teach attention spans and the understanding that steady persistence in a course of action, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement, pays off eventually.

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Have you ever solved a pesky Rubik’s Cube?

Rubik’s Cube continues to be a modern day puzzle to learn.

Initially, the task of solving the Rubik’s Cube seemed impossible. However, as students learned the steps necessary to solve the cube, first one, then another would solve the cube. Thereafter, each student that solved the cube would begin teaching some of their classmates to solve it. Eventually, ever student solved the Rubik’s Cube. Hill also met a personal goal of solving the Rubik’s Cube herself.

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Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert

Key takeaways

  1. Catherine Hill wanted to achieve two goals: teach her students math and perseverance, and to solve a Rubik’s Cube.
  2. Hill was able to secure 35 Rubik’s Cubes from the company that makes them through an educational lending program.
  3. The children used the toys to enhance their learning and to achieve a feeling of success.
Is it dyscalculia? Take the free test A short screener that shows where the math struggle really starts. Take the dyscalculia test

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· Learning Success expert Writes about the learning brain for parents who want plain answers. Every article is grounded in current neuroscience and classroom practice.