Periodic Table Word Maze#01

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Periodic Table Word Maze#01

Are you an educator looking for academic chemistry lesson plan resources for the periodic table? This table of elements word maze puzzle has a list of 20 words that, when letter paths are traced, create a maze like effect within the word search puzzle.

Solve the puzzle:
-locate the circled word; this is the starting point for the first word
-trace the letter path of the first word remembering that word paths travel forwards, backwards, up, and down, but not diagonally;
-at the end of the first word, locate the beginning of the second word and continue tracing its letter path to the end
-repeat the process until all words have been located and their letter paths traced
-cross off the words as they are found, to track progress
-once complete, the letter paths create a maze like effect within the grid

Lesson plan resource ideas:
1. challenge students to CREATE unique word search puzzles using the list of word clues and blank word search grids located at this link: blank word search grid templates
2. have students IDENTIFY and categorize different elements, in the list, that are: toxic/non-toxic, stable/unstable (remember to include elements' isotopes), natural element vs laboratory discovered, ancient elements vs modern elements
3. engage students' critical thinking skills when they ORGANIZE the list of elements by: a)stability/instability of isotopes, b)toxicity levels (least to most/most to least), c)atomic number/weight/mass, d)period, e)group, f)ancient/modern
4. foster collaboration when students work together as they use list of words as research prompts (e.g. who discovered what elements? how were elements discovered? details about elements, and related isotope; stable vs unstable elements; which elements can be combined to create new compounds?)
5. foster innovative thinking by having students combine the elements from the list, where possible, to create new compounds (e.g. Carbon + Oxygen = CO2)

Benefits of using puzzles:
1. supports brain health
2. improves memory
3. supports visual acuity
4. activates problem solving strategies and critical thinking skills