Teacher Resources - Puzzle Sites

AIMS Puzzle Corner
http://www.aimsedu.org/Puzzle/index.html

Big Picture
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/features/puzzle/puzintro.html
On this site you will find twelve puzzle sets. Each set challenges you with four or five jigsaw puzzles made from images found in the American Memory collections. As each puzzle in the set is completed, a new puzzle will appear...until you have completed all of the puzzles in that set. You will then have a chance to use what you have learned to discover the Big Picture...the theme the images in the set have in common. Choose a puzzle set and get started!

Crickler
http://crickler.com/
"Cricklers are a new type of word puzzle. We set out to totally re-invent the crossword puzzle for the computer age. Traditional crossword puzzles are incredibly successful but they have several serious drawbacks: They are difficult to construct, most words are short and often silly - chosen only because they fit, matching clues to numbers is a distraction, and a given puzzle is usually either too easy or too hard. Cricklers solve all of these problems while retaining the essence and feel of a traditional crossword puzzle. Cricklers adapt: they become easier or harder depending on the skill of the solver. Words are chosen by the designer - the computer takes care of fitting them together. Clues and answers sit side by side." Try some of these unusual puzzles based on current events.

Newsword.com and Holidaycrosswords.com
http://www.newsword.com/
This is a combination of two sites. There are worksheet packages for all occasions. They are Adobe Acrobat files and can be saved to your hard drive for later use.

NY Times Crossword Puzzle: Physical Fitness
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/xwords/20020501.html
A small part of the wonderful New York Times Learning Network site, the Crossword Puzzle segment presents two new puzzles per month, edited by the renowned puzzle-maker Will Shortz. You may play online or print the puzzle to do the old-fashioned way. This particular puzzle focuses on physical fitness and, as typical for The Times, the site offers links to other sites related to physical fitness.

Puzzlemaker
http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/
Do you spend hours creating puzzles to spice up your lessons? Save valuable time by using the Puzzlemaker. Simply click on the "list of puzzle types," choose a puzzle design (maze, word search, etc.), type in your own words or numbers, and sit back as the site creates your personalized puzzle. Then print it out and set students to work. It's so simple that kids can even create their own.

Sagwa Tangrams
http://pbskids.org/sagwa/games/tangrams/index.html
PBS Kids provides a collection of tangram puzzles that students can easily manipulate and replicate. Puzzles are organized by ability level so students may select easy or more difficult puzzles. This is a highly interactive site with great animation and sound effects. There are also inks to other PBS Kids games and activities.