End of Year - Crosspatch Puzzles

Do crosspatch puzzles support independent learning? Yes, these brain teasers support independent learning. Crosspatch puzzles are similar to freeform crossword puzzles because they include a list of words. There may or may not be clues in the grid. To solve the puzzle students need to place each word in the blanks in the crossword shaped grid. Each letter occupies its own space in the grid. Letters are shared, similar to standard crossword and freeform puzzles. The extra challenge is that students need to organize the list of words in a way that makes solving the puzzle easier. This contrasts the freeform puzzle, which has the word list organized by number of letters in the words. Crosspatch puzzles support vocabulary building because students' brains need to 'hold' the words in short term memory while locating the correct location in the grid. Independent learning is developed as students gain experience with these brain teasers.