Figure 1: Isaiah’ s First Attempt with the Cone-Shaped Puzzle
Block Placement Isaiah’ s Actions Interpretation
Action 1
Isaiah places the vertical side of the square next to the vertical side of the puzzle.
This indicates that Isaiah took note of the similarity of the vertical sides.
Action 5
Isaiah tries to fit three squares within the puzzle.
Isaiah appears to be thinking only of the vertical sides of the squares. He appears unaware of the area required by each square block and the limited area inside the empty space.
Action 19
Isaiah removes two square blocks and moves the horizontal side of the remaining square block to the top. He then inserts a tan rhombus in the narrow angle he created when he inserted the square block. Next, he inserts the larger angle of the blue rhombus between the two tan rhombuses.
Isaiah appears unaware of the area required by the blue rhombus and the limited area inside the puzzle.
Action 28
Isaiah removes the blue rhombus and attempts to use the narrow tan rhombuses with the small angles to fill the spaces.
Isaiah appears unaware of the area needed.
Action 30
Isaiah removes all of the pattern blocks and reaches for another puzzle.
Summer 2025 Young Children 81