I have been asked by several teachers, what is something fun they can do for the end of the year? While there are lots of good choices, I have made updates to my Word Search Add-on. These are intended to be just for fun as something to do when students have finished all of their work. I have made some improvements to the code to make it work a little better.
More Word Searches
When students finish their work or on a rainy day a word search can be something students enjoy doing as a break from their assignments. While I am working on creating some DOK 2 level assignments available across grade levels I also want to have some items to answer the question “What fun things can we do at the end of the year?”
- Sample Kinder Word Search
- Sample 1st Grade Word Search
- Sample 2nd Grade Word Search
- Sample 3rd Grade Word Search
- Sample 4th Grade Word Search
- Sample 5th Grade Word Search
- Sample 6th Grade Word Search
- Sample 7th Grade Word Search
Have a Word List?
Create your own word search using alicekeeler.com/wordsearch or I might make one for you! Email me your list of words.
Directions to Create Your Own End of Year Fun Word Search
Start by making a copy of the template alicekeeler.com/wordsearch
Up to 25 Words
You can have up to 25 words in your word search. Paste or type your words into column B on the word list sheet.
Use the Menu
Notice next to the help menu is a custom menu called “Make Word Search.” You will want to authorize the Add-on. Since you made a copy of the spreadsheet you are the owner of the sheet and the only person who can access your files is YOU. It is safe to approve the permissions.
Create Puzzle
I have updated some ways the puzzle is created to make it easier to place the words. Select “Create Puzzle” in the menu and sit back as it tries to automatically place the words. It chooses a random spot in the grid to place the words so if there is not room for the word it will populate a list of words that did not make the puzzle.
Test for Errors
After creating the puzzle if you do not think it placed enough words you can use “Create Puzzle” again to wipe out the puzzle and start over. If you are satisfied with the initial draft choose “Test for Errors” in the menu. This will attempt to place the words that could not be placed previously. This is a new feature. It again is looking for random locations so the randomly chosen spot may or may not have room. Keep running Test for Errors as many times as you wish.
Try “Test for Errors” multiple times.
Want More Help with This? Become a Premium Member
Manually Enter Words
After I have run “Test for Errors” a few times I just put the words onto the puzzle myself. This allows me to make some of the words cross at a common letter or to go diagonal if I choose. Use the caps lock key as you place the letters.
Choose “Update Puzzle” to send the new letters you adjusted to the puzzle sheet.
Print Puzzle
Choose “Print Puzzle” from the menu to create a printer friendly version. Control P will let you print. Be sure to change to portrait instead of the default landscape paper size.
You can also copy and paste the puzzle into a Google Doc to allow you to create headers and a place for the student’s name.
5 Features of Google Keep You Are Not Using
Google Keep is a tool I use daily, can not live without it. Here are 5 Features of Google Keep You Are Not Using.
FUN Google Forms Fonts
Google Form fonts have been limited. Here is how you can customize your Google Forms to choose from a variety of Font styles.
5 Google Jamboard Templates
Here are 5 Google Jamboard Templates to help you engage your students. Get students collaborating and critically thinking with Google Jamboard.
5 Steps to Get Started with Spaces EDU
Use a FREE Spaces EDU account to engage and interact with students. Here are 5 steps to get started with Spaces EDU
The Hashtag is #ISTElive 22 – Find @alicekeeler
Let’s connect at #ISTElive 22 Here is the official hashtag and tips for getting the most out of ISTE even if you are #NotAtISTE
You must log in to post a comment.