Crossword Puzzles

Rating

JHS, High prep, Quiet

How to Play

This is one of the more work-intensive activities I've prepared. When I decide to do a crossword, I usually get out the textbook as a vocabulary guide and try various layouts on a sheet of blue-line grid paper. When I've settled on an arrangement, I write it out in pen on a different sheet, using a straightedge to draw the squares, and writing the clues below the puzzle area. It's good to lay out the clues on the rough, too, to ensure you're using the space well. The whole process normally takes me about an hour. Finally, I print out N+2 copies, where N is the number of students in the class. One of the extras is a backup, because it's always good to have a spare. The other is for you to mark out the answers on. Give this copy to the teacher. Even if they never use it, they appreciate the gesture.

I consulted with the teacher, and we decided to have the students work on the puzzles in pairs. In my experience a reasonable portion of the class can finish if given about minute per clue or so; feel free to offer awards for any pairs that finish within a given span of time. In cases where activity time was cut short, I've accepted completed puzzles from any students brave enough to bring them to my desk after class.

How to Use

I try to tailor each crossword to the situation: I'll use a long word from a recent lesson as the center and work from there. Crosswords are a good way to stealthily introduce new vocabulary, although it's best to be sure that kids who use their dictionaries will find the right answer. When in doubt, check! And when possible, have each word intersect with at least two others to reduce confusion.

Notes

I've had mixed results with these. A crossword puzzle works best, in my experience, when you have a range of solution methods for the clues: translation, pattern completion, Q&A, and so on. New York Times style puzzles, of course, are out of this scope: you'll probably end up with a rather skeletal arrangment. Feel free to leave the empty space blank, or throw in some decorations. The concept is pretty easy; the only thing students have trouble with at times is differentiating between the vertical and horizontal clues.

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