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HERE’S A CHALLENGE! How many words with five or more letters can you make from the tiles shown in this photo?
Did you spend more than a few seconds looking for words? If so, you might be a VERBIPHILE, or word lover, also known as a VERBIVORE. If you are a true word game addict, you’re thinking about leaving a comment below with the words you made! (Hmmm…. who can make the longest word?)
Many teachers capitalize on the entertainment value of games to reinforce learning. However, did you know research shows that playing word games of all kinds actually activates the “pleasure center” of the brain and that this results in more positive attitudes toward all of the language arts- including reading and writing? And today, there are so many great choices.
But why just play a game when you can create one? or change the rules? or add your own game cards? Challenging students to create original products is often an effective way to differentiate (see “Kid-Created Logic Puzzles” and “BIG IDEA: A Student-Created Do-seum“).
Here are two WORD GAME CHALLENGES for your students. These two puzzles will be new to most students. Each includes a teaching tutorial you can share with students. The first one is easier than the second one, based on my experience! Once students have solved the puzzles, challenge them to create their own!
| WORD MERGE PUZZLES | LETTER TOWER PUZZLES |
| Teacher Lesson Plan Slide Show Tutorial Student Puzzle Sheets Answer Key | Teacher Guide Slide Show Tutorial Student Puzzle Sheets Answer Keys |
If you are not a subscriber, please send a MESSAGE to request the Answer Keys. Your students can submit their kid-created puzzles to Solving Fun. They can even sign up to be “puzzle testers” in their Puzzle Lab! Learn more about this new community!
If you would like more ideas for kid-created projects and puzzles, as well as lesson and unit ideas, consider subscribing. You’ll receive updates about twice a month!
I teach fourth-grade students every day. It is interesting that research has found playing word games activates the pleasure centers inside the brain. This is all the more reason to add educational crossword puzzles for kids into my curriculum.
Vivian, that’s true. I love the wide variety of math and logic puzzles, too, and especially love challenging students to create their own. Thanks for your comment.