Periodic Table Word Maze#05( ) |
Are you looking for teacher resources for academic chemistry? This periodic table word maze puzzle engages students with a list of 20 periodic elements that, when word paths are traced, create a maze within the word search grid. Word search answers included with file download.
Solve the puzzle:
1. FIRST, start with the circled letter - it is the beginning of the word maze
2. NEXT, start to trace the letter path of the first word, watching for letter paths traveling forwards, backwards, up, and down; paths do not cross, nor do they travel diagonally
3. REMEMBER that at the end of the first word, locate the beginning of the second word; continue tracing the letter path to its end
4. THEN, repeat the above process until all letter paths are traced
5. FINALLY, track progress by checking off the word clues as they are found
6. NOTE that once the puzzle is solved, the letter paths create a maze like effect within the grid
Lesson plan activities:
1. to FOSTER self-directed learning have students CREATE unique word search puzzles - use the list of puzzle's word clues and any of a number of blank word search grids located here: blank word search template grids
2. to CHALLENGE students' critical thinking skills have they IDENTIFY and ORGANIZE the list of elements by: a) stability/instability of elemental isotopes, b) toxicity levels (least to most/most to least), c) atomic number/weight/mass, d) period, e) group, f) ancient/modern
3. engage 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. engages critical thinking skills
3. engages the brain