Things You'll Need:
- Graph paper
- Pencil
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Step 1
Make a list of the Chinese words that you want to use in your crossword puzzle. Crossword puzzles with a larger number of words are more challenging to complete than smaller crossword puzzles. Consider using words that go with a certain theme to help tie it into your school lesson plan. For example, if you are currently teaching your students about traveling, the words you pick might be related to transportation, accommodations and vacationing.
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Step 2
Divide your Chinese words; you need to use half the words as "Down" clues and half for "Across" clues. On the bottom of a piece of graph paper, make one column labeled "Down" and another labeled "Across" and then list your clues in Chinese and make sure to give each clue a number. If you were making a crossword puzzle relating to Chinese travel terms, you might list the Chinese symbols for taxi, airplane and hotel.
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Step 3
Begin writing the English answers to your Chinese clues on the top half of your graph paper. For example, if the first clue for "Down" is the Chinese symbol for taxi, you would find a spot on the top of the graph paper to write "Taxi" downward. Make sure to write the corresponding clue number in the first square as well.
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Step 4
Continue writing the English answers to your Chinese clues on the top section of your graph paper. The answers in a crossword puzzle overlap with each other to help provide clues. In our example, we already have the word "Taxi" listed in a downward direction. If the first clue for "Across" is the Chinese symbol for airplane, we can use the "A" in taxi as the first letter in airplane. It might take you a while to fill in all of the English answers so that they overlap properly. It is okay to move your Chinese clues back and forth from "Down" to "Across" or vice versa if you find that it makes your crossword puzzle more coherent.
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Step 5
Finish writing in all of the English answers and double-check that the Chinese clues correspond correctly. Use this piece of graph paper as your answer key, and then make another crossword puzzle using blank squares instead of the actual written answers. Include a section at the bottom to list your Chinese symbol clues; make copies to distribute in the classroom or to your family and friends. Remember to bring your answer key with you to check the completed crossword puzzles.
