The worksheet titled "Wacky Sudoku: Solving Puzzles With Oddly Shaped Boxes" features Sudoku puzzles, but they are a little wacky. Some feature a traditional format with four squares in each box, some feature rows of four boxes, and others odd, Tetris-style shapes with just one, two, three, or four squares.

The top of the page includes directions that clearly state how to complete the puzzle. The main rule of Wacky Sudoku is that the same number cannot be next to each other in any direction. That means the same number can be included in the same row, column, or box, which is what makes it different from traditional Sudoku.

The rest of the rules describe which numbers go in which shapes. For example, if a block only has one space in it, then the number must be 1. A block with two spaces must have the numbers 1 and 2, and so on.

Hints are included underneath each puzzle. It might remind students what numbers go in the missing section, or it might list all of the numbers that are missing so students can cross them off as they write them in each square.

It's important to encourage students to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, even outside of completing traditional math operations. Numerical puzzles can also build confidence and allow students to discover other ways of thinking that they're good at outside of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Sudoku is a great number puzzle for students to complete. You can give them an additional challenge by giving them Wacky Sudoku puzzles with different shapes in each section to stretch their thinking. Number and picture patterns, as well as math crosswords using math terminology, can be great ways to encourage students to practice thinking outside the box.