How to Create a Word Search! Fun for All Ages!

How to Create a Word Search!

Fun for ALL Ages!

Deneale K. Williams, Yahoo Contributor Network
Apr 15, 2009

 

 

I have been creating my own word searches for years. I do this whenever I get bored. And because I have been doing this for years, I feel I can offer you the reader advise to make them on your own too!

 

Items Needed: Pen
Pencil
Ruler
Graph or Plain Paper

To begin, I suggest deciding which type of paper you would prefer to use. Myself, I prefer graph paper, as it makes it loads easier.

Then you need to think of a theme, and with that comes your word list. I will be sharing with you in this article a word search of my own, its theme "Support our Troops!" If you have trouble with spelling, a dictionary can help you.

After you have created a word list, you then decide upon a shape to put your words into. A square or rectangle are always common. I prefer using my creative abilities, and making my word searches unique. With my "Support our Troops" I made the design a flag.

The next step is placing the words into the word search. This is where I definitely prefer pencil, because sometimes there is a need to erase, when words don't fit into the slots. You can place your words diagonal, backwards, upside down, and in some rare cases, you can do odd shapes with your words. For example, part of the word is downward, then it goes to the left. I have seen this in real published word searches; yes they are far and few between, and yes, it will be more difficult on both the creator and the one searching for the words. You can also make a numerical word search. Personally, when I do this, I like to make math problems, whereas you write down the answer, and that is the numbers you are searching for. This way my kids are practicing math, and having fun at the same time! There are many ways to entertain the person searching for the words, even with hidden codes with the left over letters within the word search! How you spice up your word search, is up to you!

After you have placed your words, or even numbers, you then fill in the left over blank spots with other letters, or numbers, which ever you decided to use.

After you have completed with the filling in the blanks, you then can go over your lettering with pen, so no one can erase what you did. After I do this, I make a copy, and search the words, creating an answer key. I do this, because I more often then not, give my word searches to the Schools my Children go to, to use.

If you want, you can outline the squares in the graph paper, I don't, but some do. This option is up to you. Continuing with your outline, outline your word search shape and last but not least, put your name on it, because YOU made it. YOU get the credit!

If you have a scanner or copier, you make copies and give them to your friends and family! The Teachers will be impressed, especially if you make a word search to go with the homework, or lesson theme.

I have shared with you in this article my own word search. Please feel free to print it. Just please, do not claim it as your own.

If you have any questions, or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me. I will be more then glad to help you in a pinch!

Published by Deneale K. Williams

Hopefully these are better views of my word searches:

The Magic of the Number Nine! A Math Technique!

The Magic of the Number 9

A Math Technique

Deneale K. Williams, Yahoo Contributor Network
Apr 20, 2009

Many of you may already be familiar with the magic of the number nine. For those of you who aren't, this may be helpful. And for those of you already familiar with the magic of the number nine, I have more to share that may be new to you.

The most common of the magic of nines, is the multiplying with your fingers. Lets do 9 X 3 = 27 to begin with. You take your third finger, because it is times 3. You fold that finger down. Now to the left of the third finger you have 2 fingers standing up. To the right of your third finger, you have seven fingers standing up. This is your answer. Twenty seven. This only works with nines, and it works with the nine table from 1 to 9.

The magic of nines also works for addition and subtraction. But this time, its not with your fingers.
Lets do this problem:

765
32
+109 906

The answer here, is 906, to check to see if it is right, we are going to add the digits cross ways. What do I mean? In your problem row one is 765, so we are going to add 7 + 6 + 5= 18 now we have to reduce all answers to one digit. So you then add the double digits together 1 + 8= 9. Now this is where we learn that the nines are magic.

Every nine is valued as zero, nothing. We do this with each row, allow me to show you:

765 ~~~~~> 7 + 6 + 5 = 18 reduce it again 1 + 8 = 9 9 is equal to 0 (zero)
32 ~~~~~> 3 + 2 = 5 this number is reduced already.
+109 ~~~~~> 1 + 9 = 10 reduce it to one digit 1 + 0 = 1


Now you total your answers to the side. You have 5 and 1 and zero.

 Lets add these together, and we get ( 5 + 1 + 0 = 6)

Your answer is 6. Now how does this help us to check?

You proceed to do the same with your answer, you add the digits together.

Our answer was 906.

So lets add this, and we can do this one of two ways. 9 + 0 + 6 = 15 then reduce to 1 + 5 = 6.

OR you can automatically pretend your nine is nothing, and SEE that your answer is 6, because without the nine, you have a zero and a six. If your digits match, from added down the side, and with your answer, your answer is right. BOTH answers in this case are 6, therefore your answer is right.
You can do this with subtraction too, and as you seen here in my example, addition. I learned this in seventh grade and have used it since. A Math teacher taught me, and every time I show people, including teachers, they are unfamiliar with this technique.


I hope you enjoyed learning the magic of nines with me today, and I hope you will share this with your friends and family!

Published by Deneale K. Williams

I love to read, write, do crafts and spend time with friends and family. It has been said that I am loud and outgoing. I'm open minded, and hones