Recently, I came across some really terrific Word Search generators. As I played with the online tools and tried to solve a few of the puzzles I created, I began to question their value. Just because we can easily generate a word puzzle does that mean we should? Do word searches help students learn?
On the plus side word searches….
- help students look for patterns or letter connections in words.
- may help students with spelling.
- reinforce words students may find in their reading.
- can help students build word banks.
- may help students develop methodic strategies.
On the minus side word searches….
- are passive activities that offer little, if any critical thinking opportunities.
- are often used as busy work, particularly when words are not associated with units of study.
- can be very defeating for some students, especially for those students with dysgraphia.
- sometimes include an inappropriate word (especially when you use a generator). Proofread any word search you create to avoid embarrassment later.
So…I am in a bit of a quandary. Do I share these cool generators just because they are cool or do I encourage teachers to develop resources that present opportunities for higher order thinking and word association? I am going to share a few generators today (because I think they are cool), but I would humbly add this bit of advice….
- use these generators sparingly.
- don’t create random word searches…associate them with spelling words or units of study.
- don’t grade word searches…use them for time fillers or extra-credit opportunities instead.
- realize that huge, massive word searches in the upper grades are probably wasting your student’s time…create flashcards or crossword puzzles instead.
Below, you will find some of the generators that got me thinking about value vs. cool factor.
- The Teacherly Wordsearch Creator is the coolest of the cool. After registering for an account (email verification is required and you should be 13 or older), you can create word searches that can be printed or embedded on your teacher site or blog. You can also set the difficulty level for each puzzle. Can you solve the sample below? (If the coding does not work with your browser…try going to this link: Word Search about Word Searches
- A-Z Teacher Stuff – this is a pretty neat little word search tool from the perspective that you can establish a number of settings (diagonal, up and down, font style, etc.)
- Discovery Puzzlemaker Wordsearch – this is another fast and simple generator with a limited number of options.
- Teachnology – this tool is a fast, simple, no frills generator.
- Wordsearch Fun.com – you must register for an account if you want to create your own wordsearch games. Options are limited and I found the puzzles very difficult to solve, but hey it does generate free wordsearches.
WordSearch Maker.com – this is a super, down and dirty little generator. You do not need to register for an account. Simply, enter your words, copy the embed code and paste that code into your blog or webpage. I have found this word search maker does not work particularly well with the Chrome browser, but it works fine with Internet Explorer and Foxfire. Try the sample below (if you can see it)…
Word Search Solver – this online tool actually solves word search puzzles. I know it seems counter-productive to include this tool in a post that shares information about word search generators, but I did think you would like to know it exists, especially if you are a teacher who assigns word search puzzles for a grade. Students can practice their typing skills as they type the words and word search criteria in the solving generator. I was very impressed when I tried it out.
Feel free to use the comment link below to express your opinion regarding the use of word searches for instruction. Do you think they are worthwhile or worthless?
Personally, I would never use them in my college ESL classes…and I hate doing them myself. Crossword puzzles seem more fruitful, the students actually have to think about the words and definitions. Pair work crossword puzzles are the best. I’ve never generated any though — it’s certainly more complex than word-search generation.
I agree that these generators do not benefit college students and honestly am not even sure they hold much benefit for students in grades 4-12. Thanks for taking time to leave a comment. It’s interesting that you mentioned crossword puzzles. Later this week I will be sharing some crossword puzzle resources and generators. Thanks again for stopping by!
An interesting post, which makes some very good points.
My personal view is that wordsearches can sometimes help students learn, depending on the level & subject.
I teach English as a foreign language and find interactive wordsearches can be a useful aid for learning vocabulary, and the students certainly seem to enjoy doing them! I tend to use them as fillers and out-of-class activities (I upload them to my website to help students to revise vocabulary we have covered in lessons).
I agree that to have any educational value, the vocabulary needs to be put in context and I also agree with you that their use needs to be balanced out by including other resources that provide more of a challenge.
Wordsearch generators can also be used by students to create wordsearches, to help practise spelling and proofreading skills.