For these puzzles I have again used words on the latest list from the National Curriculum 2014 for years 3-4. There are 5 Criss-cross puzzles, all with a list of at least 20 words which need to be fitted into a grid, the aim being that pupils will not only become familiar with the new words but they will also be required to use a degree of logic to complete the puzzles. . I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

This file contains one criss-cross puzzle and one wordsearch, both using characters who appear in Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”. In the criss-cross puzzle the student will be asked to name the characters from the clues provided, and then enter these into the matching squares in the numbered grid. In the word-search puzzle the student must find in the grid all the characters listed. For both puzzles, there is a printable sheet for the student and a solution sheet for the teacher. To make the answers easier to locate in the word-search solution, I have highlighted the first letter of each name in green. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

This file contains one criss-cross puzzle and one wordsearch, both using characters who appear in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”. In the criss-cross puzzle the student will be asked to name the characters from the clues provided, and then enter these into the matching squares in the numbered grid. In the wordsearch puzzle the student has to find in the grid all the characters listed. For both puzzles, there is a printable sheet for the student and a solution sheet for the teacher. As usual, to make the answers easier to locate in the word-search solution, I have highlighted the first letter of each name in yellow, or orange when the letter begins two names running in different directions. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

For these puzzles I have again used words on the latest list from the National Curriculum 2014 for years 5-6. There are 5 Criss-cross puzzles, all with a list of 20 words which need to be fitted into a grid, the aim being that pupils will not only become familiar with the new words but they will also be required to use a degree of logic to complete the puzzles. . I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

This file contains one criss-cross puzzle and one word-search, both using characters who appear in Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible. In the criss-cross puzzles the student will be asked to name the characters from the clues provided, and then enter these into the matching squares in the numbered grid. In the word-search puzzle the student has to find in the grid all the characters listed. For both puzzles, there is a printable sheet for the student and a solution sheet for the teacher. As usual, to make the answers easier to locate in the word-search solution, I have highlighted the first letter of each name in yellow, or orange when the letter begins two names running in different directions. I regret that I was blissfully unaware of the unfortunate typing errors recently brought to my attention but am pleased to report that these have now been duly corrected, at least, I hope so! I apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment this may have caused.

This file contains a wordsearch, using names and words associated with The Christmas Nativity, there is a printable sheet for the student and a solution sheet for the teacher. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference. I hope that someone may find this useful during the period leading up to Christmas

This contains a selection of quotes from Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’, in PowerPoint format and also in PDF. I have included a smaller version of the same quotes which I thought could be printed off and maybe used as revision cards.

This file contains one criss-cross puzzle and one wordsearch, both using characters who appear in Shakespeare’s “Othello”. In the criss-cross puzzle the student will be asked to name the characters from the clues provided, and then enter these into the matching squares in the numbered grid. In the word-search puzzle the student has to find in the grid all the characters listed. For both puzzles, there is a printable sheet for the student and a solution sheet for the teacher. As usual, to make the answers easier to locate in the word-search solution, I have highlighted the first letter of each name in yellow, or orange when the letter begins two names running in different directions. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

This file contains one criss-cross puzzle and one wordsearch, both using characters who appear in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman”. In the criss-cross puzzle the student will be asked to name the characters from the clues provided, and then enter these into the matching squares in the numbered grid. In the wordsearch puzzle the student has to find in the grid all the characters listed. For both puzzles, there is a printable sheet for the student and a solution sheet for the teacher. As usual, to make the answers easier to locate in the word-search solution, I have highlighted the first letter of each name in yellow, or orange when the letter begins two names running in different directions. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

This file contains six Adverbs crossword puzzles. The student will be asked to name the adverbs from the clues provided, and then enter these into the matching squares in the numbered grid. There are printable sheets for the student and there is a solutions sheet for the teacher. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

I have put together some spelling tips for just a few of those annoying words which I am sure we have all hesitated over at times in our writing! I do hope that someone will find it useful and indeed if it does gain any interest I shall endeavour to add extra words in the future. It comes in PowerPoint format and there is also a PDF version.

This file contains one criss-cross puzzle and one wordsearch, both using characters who appear in Shakespeare’s “King Lear”. In the criss-cross puzzle the student will be asked to name the characters from the clues provided, and then enter these into the matching squares in the numbered grid. In the word-search puzzle the student must find in the grid all the characters listed. For both puzzles, there is a printable sheet for the student and a solution sheet for the teacher. To make the answers easier to locate in the word-search solution, I have highlighted the first letter of each name in yellow. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

This file contains one criss-cross puzzle and one wordsearch, both using characters who appear in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”. In the criss-cross puzzle the student will be asked to name the characters from the clues provided, and then enter these into the matching squares in the numbered grid. In the word-search puzzle the student must find in the grid all the characters listed. For both puzzles, there is a printable sheet for the student and a solution sheet for the teacher. To make the answers easier to locate in the word-search solution, I have highlighted the first letter of each name in green. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

In the lead-up to Christmas - simply 15 anagrams to solve to reveal 15 well-known Christmas carols.

This file contains one criss-cross puzzle and one wordsearch, both using characters who appear in Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet”. In the criss-cross puzzle the student will be asked to name the characters from the clues provided, and then enter these into the matching squares in the numbered grid. In the wordsearch puzzle the student has to find in the grid all the characters listed. For both puzzles, there is a printable sheet for the student and a solution sheet for the teacher. As usual, to make the answers easier to locate in the word-search solution, I have highlighted the first letter of each name in yellow. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

This file contains three crossword puzzles and three wordsearches, this time using only adjectives containing 3 or 4 letters, which I am hoping might be useful for younger pupils. In the crossword the student will be asked to name the adjectives from the clues provided, and then enter these into the matching squares in the numbered grid. In the word-search the pupil has to find in the grid all the adjectives listed. There is a printable sheet for the student and a solution sheet for the teacher for each puzzle. As usual, in the wordsearch solutions, to make the answers easier to locate I have highlighted the first letter of each word in yellow, or orange when the letter begins two words running in different directions. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

I have selected a second batch of puzzles and worksheets which parents may find easier to access if all under the ‘Home Learning’ heading and again I do hope they will find them useful during this period.

This file contains ten printable word spirals. All of the words used in these puzzles are commonly misspelt or confused with other similar-sounding words. The answers to the clues should be written in a clockwise direction around the numbered grid. The last letter of each word will become the first letter of the next. Once completed, the shaded squares reading from top to bottom will reveal another homophone. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.

I have used my earlier ‘Commonly Confused Words’ spreadsheets to create Homophones Tests, this time in PowerPoint format, together with PDF versions, whichever is your preference. All of the words used in these ten tests are commonly misspelt or confused with other similar-sounding words. There are two versions, in the first the pupil simply has to choose from the two words alongside each definition. The second version is a little more demanding as the choice needs to be made from a randomly-sorted list of homophones.

This file contains one criss-cross puzzle and one wordsearch, both using characters who appear in Charles Dickens’ work “Great Expectations”. In the criss-cross puzzle the student will be asked to name the characters from the clues provided, and then enter these into the matching squares in the numbered grid. In the wordsearch puzzle the student has to find in the grid all the characters listed. For both puzzles, there is a printable sheet for the student and a solution sheet for the teacher. I have included two versions, one in PDF and the second an Excel file, whichever is your preference.