How to Create Word Puzzle Worksheets
Word puzzles are a fun way to reinforce spelling and vocabulary lessons. They can be used for language arts, but also for vocabulary lists in any subject. They also make a great way to study and celebrate a holiday.
Things You'll Need
- Word processing application and computer printer
- Graph paper (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Make a list of words to use in the puzzle. Examples include a spelling list, a vocabulary list, words from the week's reading assignment, science or social studies chapter, or just a list of words related to the lesson theme. Another alternative is to use words relating to a holiday.
-
2
Decide whether to provide the words to the students or to provide clues or definitions and let the students guess the words. If you choose to write clues, add them to your list next to each word. Use definitions from the textbook's glossary or an age-appropriate dictionary.
-
-
3
Draw a rough draft on graph paper. If you are making a word search, make sure the grid is wider and taller than the longest word on your list. For a word search, start by writing the words anywhere on the grid. To make a crossword puzzle, pick one of the longest words to start in the upper-left-hand corner, going across, and then choose another word that starts with the same letter to go "down" from that same corner. When writing words in the grid, use all capital letters.
-
4
Continue by filling in words from the list. Write some of them across and some of them reading from top to bottom. If you are doing a word search, you can also write them diagonally or backwards. Try to look for places that the words can overlap by sharing the same letter. Stagger the starting spot for each word so you don't have all of them starting in the same row or column.
-
5
Finish the puzzle. For a word search, fill in any blank spots in the grid with random letters. If you're making a crossword puzzle, fill in any blanks with black squares.
-
6
Type the puzzle worksheet using Microsoft Word or any word processor that lets you make tables. Type the title at the top of the page. Then create a table that has the same number of rows or columns as your graph paper rough draft. Format the table so that there are grid lines going horizontally and vertically. A good choice is a line that has a thickness of one point. If you are making a word search, type the letters in each square, in all capital letters. Pick a font that fits nicely and make the letters centered in each cell of the table. For a crossword, select the cells you want to be black and give them a black "fill." You may need to select each one, one at a time, or in small groups of those adjacent to each other. Then type in numbers for the beginning of each word, formatted in a small font, flush left, to leave enough room to write the letters.
-
7
Type the word list or clue list below the puzzle. For a word search, you can use either a word list or a clue list, and it can be in random order. The clues for a crossword will be in two separate lists, one for "across" and one for "down." Each list will be in numerical order. Format the list part of the page with two or more columns if you have a long list.
-
8
Proofread your puzzle and then print it.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Many websites will take your word list and create a word puzzle for you. The resources section below has a couple of examples. Use one of these options and a word list you have created to make a word puzzle, following the directions for the puzzle creator you choose. If you have a student of above average intelligence who is sometimes bored with regular school work, ask him to create a word puzzle for the class. Give him a theme or word list, and these instructions, and tell him the type of puzzle you want. Word searches are probably the easiest to start with.
