The Puzzle Corner

This page contains puzzles and other games that I've created for my students as well as links to my favorite puzzle sites and tips for using word search puzzles in the classroom. 
NOTE: I do not provide answers keys for puzzles!

Visit my QUIA page for online challenges on a variety of science topics!

General Science Puzzles
For more lesson ideas, visit the General Science Lesson Plan page of the Science Classroom.

Science A to Z Puzzle (pdf) - Visit the General Science page for the answer key and tips for extending this assignment!
Science A to Z Challenge #2 (pdf) - Another version of the A to Z puzzle with words that bend.
Scientific Method Word Search (pdf)
Super Scientists Challenge (pdf) -Visit the General Science page for more Super Scientists materials and the answer key!
Super Scientists Word Search (pdf)
Inventor's Challenge Word Search (pdf) - Visit the General Science page for more Inventor's Challenge materials.

Biology Puzzles
For more lesson ideas, visit the Biology Lesson Plan page of the Science Classroom. Some of the puzzles in this section are from the Adopt-An-Insect Unit, Eagle Days, and Nature Center areas of the website.

Adopt-An-Insect Word Search (pdf)
Bald Eagle Word Search (pdf)
Cells Word Search (pdf)
Ecology Word Search (pdf)
Biome Word Search (pdf)
Invertebrate Word Search (pdf) 
Vertebrate Word Search (pdf)
Microscope Mania Puzzles (pdf) - Includes a word search and make-a-word challenge.
Human Body Systems Challenge Puzzle (pdf)
Human Body Word Search (pdf)
Human Body Systems Review (pdf)
Nervous System Crossword Puzzle (pdf)
Skeletal & Muscular System Crossword Puzzle (pdf)
World of Insects Word Search (pdf)
Genetics Word Search (pdf)
Genetics Challenge puzzle (pdf)
DNA Challenge (pdf) - How many words can you make from the letters in deoxyribonucleic acid? The record in my classroom is 763 words! Way to go, Alicia J.!
Note: You will want to do this as an in-class challenge as there are websites that will list all the possible words.

Physics Puzzles
For more lesson ideas, visit the Physics Lesson Plan page of the Science Classroom.

Physics Word Search (pdf)
Simple Machines Word Search (pdf)
Sound and Light Word Search (pdf)

Chemistry Puzzles
For more lesson ideas, visit the Chemistry Lesson Plan page of the Science Classroom.

Chemistry Word Search (pdf)
Metric Challenge Puzzle (pdf)
Periodic Table Puzzle (pdf)
Periodic Table Puns (pdf) or Periodic Table Puns 2 (pdf)
Element Challenge Puzzle-Word Search (pdf)
Periodic Table Challenge (pdf) - How many words can you make with chemical symbols? The record in my classroom is 1534 words! Way to go, Megan L.!
Note: You will want to do this as an in-class challenge as there are websites that will list all the possible words.

Earth Science Puzzles
For more lesson ideas, visit the Earth Science Lesson Plan page of the Science Classroom. Some of the puzzles in this section are from the Digging Into Science lessons page.

Earth Science Word Search (pdf)
Geology Word Search (pdf)
Rocks and Minerals Word Search (pdf)
Storm Puzzle (pdf)
Weather Word Search (pdf)

Astronomy Puzzles
For more lesson ideas, visit the Astronomy Lesson Plan page of the Science Classroom.

Astronomy Word Search (pdf) 
Constellation Word Search (pdf)
What's Your Sign? (pdf) - Create-A-Word challenge puzzle related to the 12 constellations of the zodiac.

Miscellaneous Puzzles

Career Puzzle (pdf) (From the Career Center page)

Tips on using word search puzzles in a classroom ...
- Challenge students to use 10 or more of the terms in the puzzle to create a concept map or web.
- Have students make flash cards using the words in the puzzle and definitions they find in a book or on the Internet.
- Have your students write a report that includes a specific number (10, 15, or 20) of the terms in the puzzle.
- See who can find and define the most words (or fill in the most words) in a specific period of time.
- Have the students use the words to make questions for a Jeopardy-type game for their classmates.
- Offer extra credit! If I assign a word search puzzle as extra credit, I award 10 points to those students who find all the words. Students who find some of the words receive points based on the percentage they find. For example, if they find 90% of the words, they receive 9 of the 10 points. Download the Earth Science Word Search (pdf) and check out the second page for an example of my extra credit method. Students usually have 1-2 days to complete the word search puzzles (on their own time, not class time) and 3-4 days for the create-a-word challenge pages.

Puzzle Sites

Puzzlemaker @ Discovery School - An excellent site for review puzzles and other challenges!

Mrs.Tomm's Quia! class page- An assortment of online games - flash cards, quizzes, and more - for science careers, chemistry, earth science, and more! Visit the Quia main page for tons of great ready-to-use online games for every subject!

JLab Science Puzzles - An assortment of science related puzzles to print or play online.

Qualint Puzzle Worksheets - Browse the sample puzzles for social studies, science, and more! Learn more about purchasing the Wordsheets program to make your own puzzles!

Squiggly's Playhouse - Visit this page for pencil puzzles and online games.

Word Search Builder - Enter your word list and create a puzzle for your next unit!