How to Create a Word Search Puzzle for Elementary Students

Reinforce the week's spelling or vocabulary words with simple word search puzzles that make studying as fun as it is effective. Use these tips to create your word lists to suit the theme that your students are studying and customize the puzzles to match their ability levels.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Determine a theme for your word search puzzle. Choose words from the story your class is reading, that come from your weekly spelling list or that pertain to a current class project or upcoming holiday.
2. Input the words into a website template that will generate a puzzle for you. Note that it won't include words that are two letters long and will probably cut off any contractions at the apostrophe. (See Resources)
3. Limit the size of the word search grid to make the puzzle easier for younger students. Choose the option that prevents words from overlapping to make them even easier to find. Give students the hint that words will appear horizontally, vertically, diagonally and even backwards.
4. Include the puzzle as part of the students' weekly homework packet or use it to practice words in class. Ask the kids to complete it during quiet time, work on it when they've finished a test early or first thing in the morning while you're taking roll.
5. Turn it into a group activity by printing the puzzle on a transparency and placing it on an overhead projector. Spell a word and award a point to the first table that spots it. Calculate the points once the class has completed the puzzle and let the winning table go to recess first or win small prizes.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're short on time but still want your students to complete a few word search puzzles to sharpen their skills, print a few pre-made puzzles that suit specific themes. (See Resources)