Classroomtools.com Main Activity for Crossword Mania - students learning to create puzzles

Creative Uses for Textbooks
Crossword Mania

Conducting the Activity
(with students learning to create puzzles)

Take what follows as a suggestion. Feel free to modify it in any way you think appropriate given the group with which you work. I leave the time allotment to you. You know best how long it will take your group to complete a given task, and whether it is best done in class where you can observe and help, or as an out of class assignment.

Divide the class into pairs for the activity.

Working in pairs gives students the opportunity to explore and test ideas, to stimulate and encourage each other, and to check each others' work.

Depending on the group, you may want to make the divisions yourself, or allow the students to pair off on their own.

Make a textbook reading assignment to be completed by the entire class. Do not proceed to the next step until all students have finished it.
Distribute and review with the class the step by step guide to building a crossword puzzle
Teaching step 1 - Selecting a topic

Since this will be a lesson in building puzzles, you should select a single topic with which all pairs will work. Pick one that is general enough to be the source of many good words and clues. Announce it to your students.

Teaching step 2 - Selecting words for the puzzle.

Assign each pair the task of coming up with 10 words from the reading assignment.

Once they have done so, review them to make sure that they are correctly spelled and appropriate to the topic.

Teaching step 3 - Writing clues

Assign each pair the task of writing clues for the words they have chosen.

Explain that good clues must be clear and concise. Discuss what that means.

Give the students time to generate their lists.

When they have finished, review their work for spelling, clarity, conciseness and appropriateness.

Teaching step 4 - Word layout

Give each student a copy of the blank working grid you created for them.

Discuss strategies for laying out words (begin in the center and work toward the outside, aim for tight crosses, etc.)

Explain that adjacent letters must be part of complete words.

Give the pairs time to complete their layouts, then review them.

Teaching step 5 - Numbering words and blocking the grid

Review the rules listed on the step by step guide for blocking and numbering.

Give the pairs time to complete this process, then review their work.

Teaching steps 6, 7, 8 and 9 - Preparing the final puzzle and key

Have each pair calculate the size of the final grid needed for their puzzle. This example shows them the process.

Once that is done, have them create it with pen, ruler and paper; or with a computer. (Optionally, you can take their information and use one of the Word documents I've provided as a template to create the grids for them. If you like, you can give them the Word file and show them how to edit it to manufacture their own.)

When they have acceptable grids, allow them to add the numbers, blocks and clues. They can then submit two copies; one blank, and one with the words included to use as a key.

Instead of the traditional reading quiz on the assignment with which you began this activity, try this. Select the best words and clues from the student submissions; then combine them into a puzzle to use as the quiz.

return to the Crossword Mania page