Frequently Asked Questions
What is a crossword?
Crossword puzzles have been a popular pastime since 1873, appearing in newspapers and other publications. They consist of a grid of squares where players aim to fill in words both horizontally and vertically.
Next to the crossword, you’ll find a series of questions or clues that correspond to the rows or lines of boxes in the puzzle. You read the question or clue and try to find a word that fits in the same number of letters as the boxes in that row or line.
Some words will share letters and need to connect with each other. The words can vary in length and complexity, just like the clues.
Who can enjoy crosswords?
The wonderful thing about crosswords is that they are adaptable for people of any age or reading level. Whether you want to create a challenging puzzle for adults or a simpler one for children, you can use as many or as few words as you like.
With countless word combinations available, customizing a crossword puzzle to suit the age or learning level of your students is a breeze.
How can I create a crossword template?
For the easiest crossword templates, try WordMint – it’s the way to go!
Pre-made templates
If you’re looking for a quick and hassle-free option, browse through WordMint’s extensive collection of 500,000+ pre-made templates. With such a vast selection, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your needs!
Create your own from scratch
- Sign in to your free account (or join if you haven’t already).
- Visit ‘My Puzzles’.
- Click on ‘Create New Puzzle’ and select ‘Crossword’.
- Choose your preferred layout, enter a title, and provide the clues and answers.
- That’s it! The template builder will generate your crossword template, which you can save to your account, export as a Word document or PDF, and print whenever you like.
How do I choose the clues for my crossword?
Once you’ve decided on a theme, select clues that match the current difficulty level of your students. For younger children, a simple question like “What color is the sky?” with the answer “blue” can work wonders.
Are crosswords beneficial for students?
Absolutely! Crosswords are a fantastic exercise for enhancing students’ problem-solving and cognitive skills. They not only need to solve individual clues but also consider how all the words interact to create a cohesive crossword puzzle.
If this is your first time using crosswords with your students, consider creating a crossword FAQ template to provide them with basic instructions.
Can I print my crossword template?
All our templates can be easily exported to Microsoft Word for printing. Alternatively, you can save your work as a PDF and print it out for the entire class. Rest assured that your puzzles will be saved in your account for convenient access and future printing, eliminating the need to worry about saving them separately at work or home.
Can I create crosswords in other languages?
Absolutely! Crosswords are an exceptional resource for students learning a foreign language as they put their reading, comprehension, and writing skills to the test. When learning a new language, this type of multifaceted assessment is invaluable for solidifying students’ understanding.
At Ratingperson, we fully support crossword templates in languages such as Spanish, French, and Japanese. We even provide diacritics and over 100,000 images, allowing you to create entire crosswords in your target language, complete with titles and clues.
Join Ratingperson today and unlock the limitless possibilities of crossword puzzles in your classroom!