The effect of Sudoku, Futoshiki and Kakuro puzzles on 8th grade students' achievement on equality and inequality subjects

Aim of the study is investigating the effect of number placement type puzzles, such as Sudoku, Futoshiki and Kakuro which are given as an extracurricular activity on academic achievement of eighth graders on equation and inequality contexts. In addition, it is aimed to investigate the effect Sudoku, Futoshiki and Kakuro puzzles on attitudes towards to mathematics. In this study, a quasi-experimental study was done with 34 eighth grade students in the 2015-2016 academic year. According to results of the Level Placement Test, validity and reliability analysis of which was done in a pilot study and which contains seventh grades subjects, students were placed and matched in accordance with success level in this test. Each of pair was coincidentally placed to control or treatment group. Before the study, an achievement test, validity and reliability analysis of which was done in the pilot work was administrated as a pretest also first implementation of the Mathematics Attitude Scale was done. In the implementation phase, control group students were just lectured, while working sheets which include puzzles for solving daily whole week were given to treatment group student additional to lecturing. At the end of 25 days, Achievement Test was administrated as a posttest and second implementation of Mathematics Attitude Scale was done. After 6 weeks, Achievement Test was implemented as a permanency test and third implementation of Mathematics Attitude Scale was done. Results show that: Sudoku, Futoshiki and Kakuro which are given as an extracurricular activity have no effect on academic achievement and permanency of achievement. Likewise these puzzles have no effect on the attitudes toward mathematics.