RESOLF®
"Exploring arithmetic & math through play".
RESOLF is an activating and self-correcting learning method that stimulates children to acquire arithmetic and algebra skills in a challenging and fun manner, while simultaneously discovering the correlation between numbers. The basic principle of Resolf is to solve a number puzzle. Next to the printed version, Resolf also offers a digital version, which is available in the App Store and Google Play. Pupils find the board game motivating, refreshing, challenging and educational but, above all, a lot of fun. Besides, it strengthens their autonomy in the classroom. The need to collaborate in order to solve the puzzle will encourage a healthy work and learning environment of the classroom.
RESOLF’s main focus is for its users to become skilled in mathematics and can be used in primary and secondary education. Additionally, it could serve as an excellent brain teaser for keen puzzlers.
While solving the puzzle, you will unconsciously be developing your math skills and thus automatically learn to understand the four operations of mathematics i.e. addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Resolf is available as a physical board game and in print, but can also be downloaded in the App Store and Google Play.
The RESOLF board game includes 9 game pieces, a whiteboard marker, a whiteboard wiper and a puzzle book (compilation) with answer key.
Please find an example of a puzzle below.
The terms, definitions and labeling used by RESOLF.
In our web shop, the puzzles are available in e-book format and have been organized according to level/age.
Background information.
The concept for RESOLF came from a dream. During the dream I saw a puzzle and I could not figure out its mechanics, but I was intrigued by its concept. After waking up drenched in sweat, I decided to write it down. Largely inspired by mathematics magazines such as Pythagoras and Euclid, I gave it a lot of thought. In my dream, the puzzle was shaped slightly differently which I changed into a triangle.
I figured a visit to the local DIY store was called for and I started building the game using simple materials. I chopped a broomstick into parts that I could use as game pieces. I used curtain rings for the nodes. A good friend of mine carefully wrote the numbers on the game pieces. In collaboration with a primary school in Edam, the Netherlands, I agreed to set up the game for their math class. The game was met with great enthusiasm and I the teacher and pupils gave me some very positive feedback and additional tips and tricks. I had not expected this kind of enthusiasm. As soon as I got home, I went back to the drawing board to run through the feedback and while I was working on improving the game, I realized that the principle could be easily enhanced.
Besides practicing ADDITION (+), it was also possible to practice MULTIPLICATION or even a combination of addition & multiplication.
At a later stage, I expanded the puzzle based on a more advanced mathematical principle, i.e. the function puzzle. During this creative process, I received help and support from several friends. Thus, the digital as well as the physical version of the game was developed in a rather playful manner and quite naturally lead to the creation of the math game.
RESOLF is an expression of my love for mathematics.
To me, mathematics is also a mystical puzzle full of marvelous objects and quite possibly without any boundaries.
That’s why I would like to share my fascination for math with children pupils, and math lovers, so that they can enjoy playing around and calculate with numbers – just like I did at a conference of the Dutch Association of Teachers of Mathematics.
NVvW-day, november 2015 (dutch association of teachers of mathematics).
