INTERNET COURSE MODULE
PUZZLE MAKING


OBJECTIVE: To introduce and evaluate various free puzzle making sites available online.  To apply  this knowledge by using a puzzle making site to enrich a classroom activity.

INTRODUCTION: For children, doing a puzzle can seem more like playing than working.  For a teacher, being able to pull out an enrichment activity with a high level of student motivation can be a lifesaver.  And now you don't have to do all of the preparation work!  Simply use these sites to easily enrich your classroom.  Make your life easier and help the students as well, what more could you want?

ACTIVITY: In order to be able to best use a puzzle making site, you must first become familiar with the various ways these sites work, and choose the best ones for your purposes.  Visit the sites listed below and practice making puzzles.  Choose your favorite sites.  It won't be very useful to you if you cannot use it with your students, so come up with an activity to apply what you have discovered.   

ASSIGNMENT:
1.  Visit each of the sites listed below
2.  Make at least one puzzle on each site
3.  You may also visit other free puzzle making sites (but this is not required)
4.  Rank the sites in order of preference
5.  List the advantages and disadvantages to using each site
6.  Choose one site that you will actually use and give an example of  how you will use it 
7.  You may wish bookmark your favorite sites  

PUZZLE MAKING SITES:  
http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com
http://varietygames.com/CW/
http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/Teachers/WordFindBuilder/PuzzleBuilder.html
http://www.edhelper.com/
http://howto.lycos.com/lycos/series/1,,10+54+117+25185,00.html
http://www.awesomeclipartforkids.com/crossword/crosswordpuzzlemaker.html
feel free to add other sites that you find helpful

RUBRIC:

RUBRIC
1
2
3
SITES VISITED
visits one or two sites
visits 3 or 4 sites
visits at least all the sites listed
SITES EVALUATED
ranks in order with no reasons
ranks in order with brief reasons
ranks in order with advantages and disadvantages of each
USE WITH STUDENTS
does not state which site to be used with students
lists one site to be used with students
lists site to be used with students and gives example of  how will use