Periodic Table Word Maze#03

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Periodic Table Word Maze#03

Looking for teacher resources for the periodic table? Here is a word maze puzzle with a list of 20 periodic elements that, when letter paths are traced, create a maze within the word search grid.

Solve the puzzle:
-locate the circled letter - start here
-trace the letter path of the first word: watch for letter paths traveling forwards, backwards, up, and down, but not diagonally
-remember that letter path lines do NOT cross one another
-at the end of the first word, locate the beginning of the second word; continue tracing its letter path to the end
-repeat the process until all letter paths are traced
-to help track progress, check off words as the paths are complete
-once solved, the letter paths create a maze like effect within the grid (no word paths cross)

Lesson plan activities could include:
1. challenge students to CREATE their own unique word search puzzles using the list of word clues and blank word search grids located here: blank word searches
2. challenge students to IDENTIFY and categorize different elements, in the list, using any number of criteria: 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 innovative thinking by having students combine the elements from this list, with other known elements, to create compounds (e.g. Carbon + Oxygen = CO2)

Benefits of using puzzles:
1. activates problem solving strategies
2. critical thinking skills
3. engages the brain