Word searches are puzzles many kids enjoy. They are a good way to practice words they know while developing their visual discrimination skills.
Traditionally, players put a long loop around each word as they find it. However, this creates a lot of confusing lines on the puzzle by the time the player gets down to the last few words. This is especially true for beginning readers and individuals who have poor visual discrimination skills.
What I have my students do instead is draw a single line to hook all the letters of a word together. This reduces the busy-ness on the page compared to the loop method. It is particularly helpful for spelling word searches. They say each letter aloud as they hook the letters together.
I use word searches frequently in my Sunday School class of first through third graders. After I've taught the lesson, we do the search together. A student explains what the first word in the word bank has to do with our lesson. Then everyone searches for it. They continue taking turns until our lesson is recapped by completing the puzzle. This review method is adaptable to any content area.
In the past I've always used Puzzle Maker to create the word searches I need. It offers options for making your word searches. Additionally, it has several different kinds of puzzles, like math squares, mazes, cryptograms and more.
Just this week I learned of another free source of word searches, Word Search Wizard. They have a featured word search--right now it's a spring season search. There are quite a few themed searches on many topics in their Word Search Library ready to run off and use. You can also custom make a word search to fit your exact needs. I like the fact you can choose to save your puzzles if you plan to use them again.
There are even free online word searches, like Pro Profs.
Choose a site. Play on a hard copy or online. Ready, set, search!
I'm a middle child with an older brother and younger sister. How about you? Do you have siblings? Where are you in the family order?
Here are some activities having to do with siblings. No siblings? Have your child invent some siblings s/he would like to have. Give them names and ages. Then do the activities below.
Sibling Writing
* Make a list of 3 good things about each of your siblings.
* Write about some ways you help your siblings. How do they help you?
* Draw a picture of you with your siblings doing something fun.
Sibling Math
* Measure the heights of you and your siblings.
* Figure out the difference in height between you and each of your siblings.
* List everyone's birth year. Figure out how old each will be in 20 years and 35 years. What calendar years will that be for each of you?
Sibling Reading
In the comments below tell me the name of a book you've read that features siblings. Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary is one I enjoy.
Here are some free online sources of books where you can find other stories about siblings.
Overdrive
Cloud Library
Hoopla
Tumble Book Library
International Children’s Digital Library
Oxford Owl
Storyline Online
Open Library
Project Gutenberg
Goodreads
Library of Congress
Today is National Zoo Lovers Day.
Who loves the zoo? Do you? Do you?
Here's a zoo story for for you and you.
Watch this reading of the Dr. Seuss story, If I Ran the Zoo.
Stuck at home. Can't go anywhere?
Here are zoo visits you can take in your chair.
OKC Zoo - red panda cam
Draw a picture and write about your favorite animal at the zoo.
Today is National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day!
April 2nd
1. See how many words your child can make out of the letters of peanut butter and jelly.
2. Write the directions to make a PB & J sandwich. Then follow those directions exactly to see if it turns out like you thought it would.
Nearly every kid loves a good PB & J sandwich. What's the favorite at your house? With or without crusts? Cut in shapes or regular slices of bread?
Here are some variations on this traditional favorite.
PB & J with banana, strawberry, apple, or grape slices
PB & J French toast
PB & J on raisin bread
PB & J with a cream cheese layer
PB & J with marshmallow creme
PB & J with honey
PB & J with your favorite crunchy breakfast cereal
PB & J with toasted coconut
Grilled PB & J sandwich
PB & J on pancakes or waffles
PB & J roll-ups. Remove crusts. Flatten with rolling pin. Add
PB & J. and roll up.
Share your favorite recipe with PB & J.
