Hmmm....my question to you - is it really 'math?' Or is it just a strategic puzzle that happens to involve numbers? When I complete sudokus, I realize there is a logic involved, but I don't necessarily feel like I am performing any type of 'mathematical operation.' So how do we answer these students when they say, "But Miss, it's math!" What do you think?!
In the mean time, enjoy!
Laurie.
Though I think Sudokus are a great activity (I myself can't help but solve one when I see it) I don't think the process of completing them is necessarily mathematical. It does however promote complex critical thinking, and involves numbers while doing so, which I think is beneficial to math development on the whole. Math, especially word problems, often requires critical thinking and evaluation, so developing these skills even on a basic level like slotting numbers into a grid is beneficial to the development of a student's overall math ability.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting extension might be having students each create their own Sudoku and then trade with another student and attempt to solve. This would expose them to the deeper strategies at play in Sudoku and encourage them to think critically about how much information is enough, too little, or too much to supply.
She took the words right out of my mouth! I don't believe that sodoku's are actually math, but the benefits that you can get from them will help all subjects (but seems more significant to math, as there are numbers involved). But in all honesty, I feel like on a Friday afternoon, if the students have been well-behaved all week, and they ask to do a sodoku? Can't hurt! :)
ReplyDeleteYa I see your predicament but I think that you can make this more mathematical what you are looking at, by making them do probability formulas. Where they have to find out how many chances they really should be taking on each, and make them determine what other math can relate to what they are doing to the puzzle, you will love to hear what they come up with, they start to stir their brains for solutions if it will benefit them.
ReplyDeleteI don't sudokus are math really either but they do help sharpen the mind with regards to numbers. They also help a student think logically and help plan where number would be or go. You could make problems to find the number for the corresponding # in the sudoku, then it would be math related
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie!
ReplyDeleteI love sudokus as well! I think they are very fun brain busters that get you thinking! Applying them to math...I agree that they are in fact not very mathematical at all. Yes, they involve numbers...A LOT of numbers, but do they really teach or have students practice anything mathematical? Not really. However, I do agree with the above posts. When attempting a sudoku puzzle, you are using a great deal of critical thinking skills, which can be used in math. With that being said, sudokus could be used as a warm-up activity to get their brains going, or a time filler when students finish their tests while others are still writing.
I liked Ashley's comment about turning a sudoku into a probability activity! This is a great idea and I would like to know if it would or would not work!