Unit(s): Critical Thinking Skills/Group Interaction
Purpose:
The purpose of this activity is to develop critical thinking skills through group interaction.
Objective:
Students will be able to solve the problem through systematic logical thinking and trial and error.
Materials:
Hand-out of the problem with facts concerning the contestants
Procedure:
- Divide the class into small groups; the size of the group being determined by the size of the class (approximately 5 to 6 students per group).
- You may wish to establish a time limit for solving the problem - 20 to 30 minutes.
- When the problem has been solved, discuss the group interaction, leadership established, method of solving the problem.
This is not an insoluble problem. It simply demands a systematic logical approach and a degree of trial and error. Somewhat like multiple choice questions on which you may not be extremely well informed, it involves progressive elimination of incorrect responses.
Six bathing beauties stood in a line facing the judges, as shown below. The prize was given to the only girl whose name began with the same letter as that of her state; only of course the judges did not know this until the contest was over.
From the description provided below you will be able to write each girl's name opposite her state and then pick out the prize winner.
STATES GIRLS' NAMES THE SIX JUDGES'
GIRLS STAND
1._________________________ ___________________ 0
2._________________________ ___________________ 0 __________
J
3._________________________ ___________________ 0
J
4._________________________ ___________________ 0
J
5._________________________ ___________________ 0 __________
6._________________________ ___________________ 0
Miss OHIO wasn't speaking to DOROTHY.
OLGA was standing next to Miss DELAWARE.
MARY and Miss MARYLAND were at opposite ends.
DOROTHY was at the judges' right, next to Miss MAINE.
Neither MAUDE nor VERA represented OHIO.
Miss VERMONT was between KATIE and Miss DELAWARE.
Miss KANSAS was between OLGA and Miss MAINE.
VERA was not next to the girl at the judges' left.
States Girls' Names
1. Maryland Dorothy
2. Maine Vera
3. Kansas Katie
4. Vermont Olga
5. Delaware Maude
6. Ohio Mary
WINNER: Katie from Kansas