Author: Elaine Kirn-Rubin
Suitable for: K-8, Secondary, Young Adult, Adult
What Are They: At 4 levels of challenge, about 250 paper-and-pencil (or onscreen) word puzzles of 12 types that focus on phonics patterns & spelling rules rather than vocabulary, with explanations + solutions
Why You Need Them: Word puzzles readily available in print and online (mostly Word Searches and Crosswords) are generally designed to entertain and challenge people. Educational puzzles may help children to practice simple words or seniors to keep their minds sharp. None of these, however, purposefully and systematically boost word-level language learning like Spelling & Phonics Puzzles.
What They Do:
replace anxiety with the excitement of discovering language patterns and solving puzzles of more than 12 standard (creatively adapted) or innovative types:
• Word Find • Criss-Cross • Linked Words • Letter Choices • Word Maze • Switched Letters • So What's Different? • Meaning Categories • Letter Connect • Letter Jumble • Letter Blocks • Rebus Crossword
"teach" what's important to know about these subjects of language study:
• Alphabet Letters & Sounds • Consonant Sounds & Letters • Vowel Sounds & Letters • Syllables • Word Parts (Roots, Affixes) • Word Groupings (Homographs, Homophones, Synonyms)
progress from simple to sophisticated in puzzle layout and level of "difficulty" of included items, leading to a reasonable degree of mastery; go beyond "right answers" with Game Boards + Review Activities
check what puzzle-solvers have achieved or missed with Answer Keys; organize future learning with explanations, charts, word lists, and reference tables
What They Can Help You Do:
supplement instruction in word-level Reading & Writing + Vocabulary with stimulating but pressure-relieving puzzle pages, useful both by individuals and in cooperative or competitive interaction
discover the benefits of language-learning puzzles firsthand, convincing yourself that pleasurable "doing" is more likely to promote skills acquisition and retention than forced study
English
Français