Reducing Squares belongs to a category of puzzles called "matchstick
puzzles" which were very popular in America during the last century. Most adults
in those days carried small boxes of matches with them to light the many candles
or lamps in their homes. Many of these same people had a favorite repertoire
of matchstick puzzles to share with friends. Matchstick puzzles were just one
of the indicators of a strong general interest in puzzles of all kinds during
the 1800s�newspapers in those days included a much greater variety of puzzles
than today's ubiquitous crossword puzzles and word jumbles.
In Reducing Squares toothpicks are substituted for matchsticks for safety reasons. I have found that flat toothpicks work the best because they do not roll. Each student will need 24 toothpicks for this particular puzzle. You may wish to have students make small paper envelopes in which to keep their toothpicks when they are not working on the puzzle.
I hope that you find this Puzzle Corner activity valuable for your class. If you have any questions or comments about this, or any other Puzzle Corner activity, please do not hesitate to contact me at dyoungs@fresno.edu or write to me at P.O. Box 8120, Fresno, CA 93747.