Scrabble

summary	build a crossword
time	10’
preparation	1’
group size	3-30
material	whiteboard / flipchart

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How it is done

• draw an empty Scrabble board.

• add a few bonus fields along the edges.

• write one keyword in the middle of the board.

• ask the group to suggest more words, add them in a crossword-like manner.

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Comments

Don’t take this exercise too seriously. You don’t need to enforce rules of normal corsswords meticulously. You don’t need to stick precisely to a grid when drawing characters either.

As a variation, I also used giant scrabble tiles that made from cardboard.

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Variation: Boggle

summary	character soup
time	5’
preparation	5’
group size	2-50
material	screen

• create a random 5 x 5 matrix with characters

• give participants 3 minutes to write down as many words connected with the topic

• ask for the longest words

This exercise connects easily to lessons on strings or tables. You can make creating the random matrix a homework or in-class programming task. Look up the original Scrabble distribution of characters for your language on Wikipedia.

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Variation: Crossword

Here are a few online tools to create crosswords:

• http://www.theteacherscorner.net/printable-worksheets/make-your-own/crossword/crossword-puzzle-maker.php

• http://www.edhelper.com/crossword.htm

• http://www.edhelper.com/Codeword_Puzzle.htm