Why Use Sudoku In Math Class.

The past few weeks have been challenging.  Since over half my kids have been out with either Covid or a very bad flu bug so rather than moving on, I've had to kind of stall but teach at the same time.  I have used this time to teach things like Box and Whisker plots or Stem and Leaf plots since I don't usually get a chance to cover those.  So this past Friday, I took time to teach my students how to do Sudoku.

I thought it would be a nice way to have students work on their problem solving but it turns out that sudoku actually helps students in more ways than expected.

To begin with, sudoku is not a mathematically based puzzle, rather it is a logic based puzzle because you have to think about which possibilities are the ones that will work best in the blank spaces.  In addition, there are millions and millions of free puzzles available to use so students will never run out.  Although it was invented by an American in 1979, it was not until 1984 that it received its name in Japan.  This is why people think it originated in Japan.

When students work sudoku's, they are developing their logic skills. In addition, it has been found that playing sudoku and solving equations use the same deduction skills by making deductive inferences. These are the same skills used to solve any complex mathematical problem.   Sudoku also helps student improve their analytical thinking skills. Since sudoku helps improve reasoning abilities, it helps students develop more of an interest in math.

Furthermore, it helps students develop staying power or mental rigor to solve problems. It also helps improve memory and students tend to pay better attention.  They get to practice making inferences and drawing conclusions.  So lets look at how sudoku can be used in the classroom.

First, it can be used as a whole class activity by teaching students how to work the sudoku puzzles.  Teachers can use one on the board, the screen, or in paper.  Next, having students work sudoku helps improve mathematical conversations by asking students how they arrived at using a certain number or letting them help another student when they get stuck.

Several students asked that I keep a pile of puzzles they can do when they are finished with assignments.  Never be afraid of trying something new.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.