After children learn to solve riddles they are ready to begin other sorts of word puzzles. The crossword can be used to increase vocabulary and improve spelling. Teachers, be aware that puzzle are a tool that can be used to teach facts and terminology for any subject.
There are two styles of crossword puzzles, which are freeform and symmetrical. Themed puzzles usually best made in freeform style, so that more words about the topic being studied will fit. Children can use a word bank or a chapter of their textbook to solve the clue definitions.
Freeform Crossword Puzzles
Freeforms can use many long and hard-to-spell words. They don’t connect on every letter of each word, so they usually have fewer clues and take up more space. These are the best kind to learn on.
For solving freeforms students may want to acquaint themselves with the topic of the brainteaser. If the topic is Alaska, for example, read a book or an encyclopedia entry about the state and prepare your mind with a pool of answers that might fit the clues.
First, the child fills in the answers he knows and then he will have a few letters placed in some words. These letters will help him solve a few more of the clues. The pattern or layout of the letter squares is called its grid or diagram. As the student places words in the grid, he gives himself hints to other words.
Types of Clues
Most clues of conventional crosswords are simple definitions, though many times a definition can be purposely confusing. Like a riddle it may refer to the definition of the word as it is used as a noun. Could it be used as a verb and have a different definition? Can the same word also be used in another form? For example, the word “ford” could be defined as crossing a river or as a car manufacturer.
Skimming through a few pages of a dictionary can help a student see that ambiguity of words. The definitions are listed by number.
Clues aren't always dictionary definitions, but often synonyms. They relate closely, but are not exact. A synonym finder will help a student find words that are associated more loosely.
Many clues are like riddles. THese clues will have to be guessed. The clue given by the writer may be a play on words, a pun or some other such. Such clues are called “cryptic’ since they have to be deciphered almost like a code.
Symmetrical Puzzles
A second style is a symmetrical puzzle. It is the type usually seen in the newspapers. The letters fit into the squares called the grid. It is difficult because every word in the grid must interlock with several others words.
To begin one of these, the student can read over the clues to find any fill-in-the-blank clues. These are easiest – almost always giveaways. When those are filled in, he begins back at 1 Across. As he reads through the Across clues and glances at the grid he may know an answer that will fit. That is the time to write it in. This is guess and may later prove to be wrong.
Now the puzzler should go back and work through the other Across clues moving on where he can’t find the answer, leaving it blank. Once "Across" clues are filled in, the student starts with the "Down" clues, reading through them quickly and filling in the known words.
He may find that one of his "Across" guesses was incorrect, so he will have to replace it.
Puzzle Solving Tips:
- Look for words that might have an “ING” on the end or an “s” or “es”.
- Is it plural?
- Does it end with “ed”?
- Many puzzle writers use words that end in “e.”
Crossword puzzles help students learn many facts and increase vocabulary and spelling skills. Puzzles are addicting (in a healthy way) and can add flavor to a child's life while keeping his brain active.
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