Periodic Scrambled Maze#12

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Periodic Scrambled Maze#12

This periodic table of elements scrambled letters word maze puzzle is fun, interactive and very challenging! Scrambled letter word clues activates students' critical thinking and problem solving skills. Once unscrambled, together, the list of 20 periodic elements' letter paths create an intricate maze-like structure within the grid, because letter paths cross. Letters in the word clues travel in all 8 directions: horizontally, vertically, forwards, backwards and diagonally.

Solve the puzzle:
-First, REARRANGE the letters to get the correct spelling and reveal words hidden in the grid. Record the correct spelling.
-Next, LOCATE the circled letter (in this puzzle, the letter |M|). This is where the puzzle solution starts.
-Then, TRACE letter path of the first word. Remember that since letter paths travel in all 8 directions, the word paths will cross!
-Continue tracing word paths sequentially from beginning to end, one word after the other.
-Students ENGAGE critical thinking and problem solving skills to determine the next word, based on letter clues and the number of words starting with the same letter!
-Finally, TRACK progress by checking off the word clues as they are found

Resource ideas:
1. ENCOURAGE student creativity: provide blank word search grids, found at this link: blank word search grids. CREATE unique word search puzzles to share with others to solve. Students can decide from the table of periodic elements which, and how many, words to include in the word search.
2. Create a CHALLENGE for students: Can you generate different puzzle types? For example: cryptolists, crosswords, freeform and crosspatch puzzles, scrambled letters puzzle lists, or cryptograms. Encode cryptolists/cryptograms using either: 1) a letter for letter substitution, or 2) an alphanumeric substitution.
3. ENGAGE students' critical thinking skills by getting them to ORGANIZE list of elements using any one of a number of criteria: 1) stability/instability of elemental isotopes, 2) toxicity levels (ordered from least to most/most to least), 3) atomic number/weight/mass, 4) period, 5) group, 6) ancient/modern, 7) other category?

Benefits of puzzles
1. activates problem solving strategies
2. engages critical thinking skills
3. engages the brain
4. fosters independent and self-directed learners
5. supports brain health