Periodic Table Scrambled #02

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Periodic Table Scrambled #02

Are you an educator looking for engaging and challenging lesson plan resources for the periodic table? This elements puzzle includes a list of 20 scrambled word clues whose letter paths include one right hand turn! That is why puzzle is called a wordangle puzzle!

To solve the puzzle:
1. FIRST, rearrange the scrambled letters to reveal the hidden words; record the correct spelling
2. NEXT, review the revealed list of words to engage the brain
3. REMEMBER that word paths travel horizontally, forwards, backwards, vertically, but not diagonally; some word paths do cross
4. THEN trace the word paths: remember the right hand turn
5. FINALLY, track progress by checking off the words as they are located

Additional lesson plan ideas:
1. get students to CREATE word search puzzles to exchange with peers [blank word search grids link below]
2. IDENTIFY which elements in the list have stable/unstable isotopes
3. ORGANIZE the list of words by a) period, b) group
4. use list of words as research prompts (e.g. how were some of the elements named? (e.g. Curium), how did they discover isotopes for one of the elements?)
5. combine the elements, where possible, to create new compounds (e.g. Hydrogen + Oxygen = H20)
6. encourage students to create other brain teaser puzzles: cryptograms, cryptolists

Blank word search grids found here: blank word searches.

Benefits of working with puzzles:
1. support brain health
2. improve memory
3. activate problem solving strategies and critical thinking skills
4. support visual acuity