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What if math time included some fun games this winter?
Back in December, I made a set of Christmas themed Sudoku Puzzles and my daughter loved them so much that I made her a set of Valentine’s Day Sudoku Puzzles to use in our homeschool this February.
We love using puzzles and games to learn about all kinds of subjects, but Sudoku is one we particularly love for teaching logic and problem solving during math time.
Valentine’s Sudoku Puzzles
The printable Valentine’s Sudoku Puzzle Set is FREE through February in my store and includes eight different Sudoku puzzles with a Valentine’s Day theme.
4 Color Sudoku Puzzles with answer keys
4 Black & White Sudoku Puzzles with answer keys
We printed the color version on cardstock and are keeping it with the Christmas versions to use over and over. And, my daughter is using the black & white versions as a fun cut & paste activity. So, this printable set can be used for centers, but also as a consumable classroom activity.
How to Start the Puzzle
To introduce children to Sudoku it is always good to give them a few simple strategies. First, explain how the puzzle is organized into columns, rows, and boxes. And, in this instance, that each of those can have only one of each of the four pictures in it, as opposed to the traditional 9 numbers.
Then, have them try to find a column, row, or box with three pictures already in it. Explain that as they place the pieces they have to have eliminated all other possibilities for them to be sure that they are putting it in the right spot. Finding a space that can have only one option is the easiest way to do that.
Strategies for Choosing Next Pieces
After children have placed the first piece in their Valentine’s Day Sudoku puzzle, have them repeat the process of looking for a column, row, or box that already has three pictures in it. Have them continue this until they’ve placed all the pieces.
The best learning happens when they misplace a piece early on and then realize it later in the puzzle. This happened to my daughter several times as she put these puzzles together this week. I didn’t correct her but waited to see what she would do.
She realized there was an error while putting the last one or two pieces in, seeing the duplicates and understanding that the pieces she had left couldn’t go there.
This process may frustrate some children, which is a good thing! But, you don’t want them to become so frustrated they give up. So, without pointing out the problem ask them questions like the ones below.
“Do you see any columns that have duplicates?”
“What about the rows or boxes?”
They should quickly be able to identify the problem by carefully looking over the puzzle for duplicates.
I have found this type of logic puzzle to be so good for promoting a growth mindset in my kiddos. The frustration they encounter when they’re challenged makes completing the puzzle that much sweeter. And, it builds their confidence during math time which is always a win.
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Check out our latest Picture Sudoku puzzles featuring Birds of Paradise!
Have fun playing with these Valentine’s Day Sudoku Puzzles!
Heidi
