Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123
Curriculum Mini-Lessons
Created as part of the 2004-2005 Classroom Mini-Grant Program

Title: Word Search Maker
Subject: Spelling/ Social Studies/ Science/ Vocabulary
Grade Level: Any

Overview: Use this handy tool to create a word search for your class, or have the children create their own word search.

Purpose: Create a word search as an extra study tool for weekly spelling words, key vocabulary for social studies, science, or reading, or as a tool for students to get to know each other.

Resources and Materials: Current grade level books

Internet Address: http://teach-nology.com/web_tools/word_search/

Activities:
1. Teacher or students can create a word search for the current week’s spelling list on Monday, and children can use it to study and work on during the week.
2. Before a new unit, teacher can gather all the key terms to use in an anticipatory word find.
3. At the end of a unit, have the students create a word find on what they think were the key terms/ideas of the unit. This can be used as a study guide or even an evaluation.
4. When doing “Student/Star of the Week” have that child bring to school 20 words that describe themselves, and create a word find. It will be a great way for the students to get to know each other! (If a student is having difficulty coming up with their 20 words, the teacher might want to have a general questionnaire to help the child generate their words. Some sample questions may be “Name your brothers/sisters/parents/pets” “Name your favorite color/animal/subject” etc...)
5. Have all the students bring in 20 words to describe themselves in the beginning of the year. Every week create “Mystery Student” word finds, and as the students hand in their finished word find, they will write on it their guess of who the mystery student is that week

Evaluation: Observe student enthusiasm and participation to assess the effectiveness of the word search as an educational tool.