Stretching Out Thinking: How to Make the Most of a Word Game (K-8th)

In a previous post, The Math Behind the Fun and Games, I shared “lessons for masterminds who love Wordle.” Our students love puzzles, games, and brainteasers. So, as long as we’re sharing these with students, we might as well squeeze out as much learning and thinking as possible! Here’s a game you have probably played. … Read more

Split-Pairs Puzzle ~ Student Tutorial with Practice Puzzle

Here is a new kind of word puzzle your students may enjoy. It’s one that I’ve incorporated into the newest Mini-Mystery Progressive Puzzle: Vengeance for Victims of a Valentine Vandal ($2 -TPT). I’ve added it to the Puzzle Tutorials page and you can find the student practice puzzle that goes along with the video here. … Read more

Crypt-O-Words: Advanced Vocabulary “Caught” not “Taught”

A funny thing happened when I was creating a new resource for you. About a year ago, I began working on an idea for vocabulary enrichment that would “sneak” advanced vocabulary into activities students enjoy. I know many students love hidden words, wordplay, and puzzles. I thought it might be fun to create a resource … Read more

Big Words for Little Scholars

Little kids love BIG WORDS. I remember learning to spell the word poinsettia in kindergarten. It was December, and my amazing teacher (aren’t all kindergarten teachers amazing?) had squeezed every bit of learning out of that flower incorporating science, language, and art! After teaching us all about the flower, our teacher challenged us to learn … Read more

DAILY WORD GAMES ~ Word Play for the “Word Smart”

The kid-friendly puzzles described below were originally offered by THE PUZZLE SOCIETY, but appear to be unavailable right now. Adult versions are available on their website. Here are a few interactive vocabulary-building games that will challenge those student linguists in your room. Use them for virtual enrichment, warm-up activities, additions to a choice board, or … Read more