Discovery Education: Puzzlemaker
Example Web Site and/or Technical Equipment Required
Website: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/free-puzzlemaker/
Website Example: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/free-puzzlemaker/
More Ways
Computer, printer
Activity Description
Students practice vocabulary or grammar (parts of speech) using customized puzzles you create with this site's online puzzle-making tools. The puzzles can be used for supplemental practice activities, fillers, or as homework. Puzzles types include: word search, criss-cross (crossword), double puzzle, fallen phrase, letter tiles, cryptogram, and hidden message.
Preparation
- Choose vocabulary words from a unit you plan to teach or are currently teaching.
- Make a list of the words.
How-To
- Go to the Web site, which is free and does not require registration (see Web Site link above).
- Choose the type of puzzle you want to create. The options are the following: Word Search, Criss-Cross (crossword puzzle), Double Puzzle, Fallen Phrase, Letter Tiles, Cryptogram, and Hidden Messages.
- Follow the on-screen instructions (see Puzzlemaker instructions and samples of all the site's puzzle-making tools on the document above titled "Directions for Using Discovery Education's Puzzlemaker and Samples of Puzzles."
- Print, photocopy, and distribute to students.
- Explain to students how to complete the puzzles, modeling as needed.
Teacher Tips
- Word search puzzles can be used as more than time-fillers, in that they aid students in word recognition and spelling skills. For other free puzzle-making tools for ESL see Word-Search Maker at A to Z Teacher Stuff's Word Search Generator and TESL: Lesson Preparation Tools.
Documents
Levels
- Beginning Literacy
- Beginning Low
- Beginning High
- Intermediate Low
- Intermediate High
- Advanced
- All Levels
Standards
Basic Communication
- (7.2) Demonstrate ability to use critical thinking skills
- (7.3) Demonstrate ability to use problem-solving skills
- (7.4) Demonstrate study skills