Periodic Scrambled Maze#04( ) |
Looking for lesson plan activities/resources to support academic chemistry? This periodic table of elements scrambled letters word maze puzzle activates students' problem solving strategies. This list of 20 periodic elements' letter paths create a maze like structure within the grid. Letters in the word clues travel: up, down, forwards, and backwards, but not diagonally. Puzzle solvers need to unscramble the letters in the word clues!
To solve the puzzle:
1. UNSCRAMBLE the letters to reveal the correct words hidden in the grid. Record the correct spelling.
2. LOCATE the circled letter (in this case, the letter |H|). This is the starting point.
2. TRACE the letter path of the first word. Remember that letter paths travel up, down, forwards and backwards, but not diagonally.
3. Letter paths track continuously from the beginning of the first word to the end of the last word. Word paths do not cross.
4. Students ENGAGE critical thinking skills to determine the next word, based on letter clues and the number of words starting with the same letter!
5. TRACK progress by checking off the word clues as they are found
More classroom resource ideas:
1. ENCOURAGE independent, self-directed learners: provide students with blank word search grids, located here: blank word search grids, to CREATE unique word search puzzles. Use this list of 20 words, or their own unique list taken from the elements of the periodic table.
2. CHALLENGE students to create other puzzle types: cryptolists, all forms of crossword puzzles; cryptograms with either: 1) a letter for letter substitution, or 2) an alphanumeric substitution.
3. ACTIVATE students' problem solving skills and engage the brain: get them to ORGANIZE list of elements by: 1) stability/instability of elemental isotopes, 2) toxicity levels (ordered from most to least toxic/least to most toxic), 3) atomic number/weight/mass, 4) period, 5) group, 6) ancient/modern, 7) any other category you can think of.
Benefits of solving puzzles:
1. activates problem solving strategies
2. engages critical thinking skills
3. engages the brain