Notes for adults

Age 6 · 20 min · Challenging

Find eight Halloween words in a 10×10 word search with a picture word bank.

Learning objectives

• Find words in the grid using the picture word bank.
• Compare the letters in the word bank with the letters in the grid.
• Name the pictures and talk about the theme.

What you need

• Printed word search
• Pencil or colored pencil

Safety notes

Use pencils in good condition and help your child sharpen them if needed.

How to do it

1. Print the page and find a pencil.
2. Look at the pictures and read the word bank together.
3. Show your child how to find the first letter of a word, then follow the letters along a row or column.
4. Invite your child to circle each word they find.
5. Read the words together and talk about the pictures.

Teaching suggestions

• Say, “Let's find the first letter and check the ones that come next.”
• If your child needs help, point out the row or column where a word begins.
• Cover part of the grid with another sheet of paper to make the search area smaller.
• In a group, let each child choose a word to find and celebrate everyone's effort.

Variations

• Make it easier: Find just three words together, pointing to each letter in the word bank and the grid.
• Make it harder: After finding all the words, invite your child to write them on another sheet, using the word bank as needed.
• Extend the play: Invite your child to make up a story using two of the pictures.

Talk about it

• Which word did you look for first? Why?
• How did you know you had found the word?
• What might the witch do with the broom?
• What story could you make up about the bat and the pumpkin?

What to look for

• Notice whether the child finds words with or without support.
• Watch for the child comparing letters in the grid with those in the word bank.
• Listen as the child names the pictures and explains how they searched.