Illustrated American Crossword Puzzles

Introduction (p. iii)

It has been well documented that crossword puzzles are an effective language teaching tool. American Crossword Puzzles is a reproducible book of crossword puzzles about the United States. American Crossword Puzzles is divided into ten thematic units. Topics for the units are State Names (2 units), State Capitals (2 units), Presidents (2 units), Symbols, Landmarks, Events, and People. Each unit has 9 puzzles, except one unit dealing with Presidents. That unit has seven puzzles. In each unit the puzzles increase in difficulty and in size as you progress through the lesson. If you wish, the final puzzle in each unit can be used to test your students. The students are first given a page full of sentences with the vocabulary words highlighted in the sentences. These same sentences become part of the clues used in the crosswords.

When used as clues the sentences are in the form of a fill-in-theblanks exercise. Next, a page of visual clues (illustrations) is given. In other words, there is a visual clue (an illustration) for each vocabulary word. The visual clues (illustrations) are repeated as clues on the relevant puzzle pages, as well. Study these two pages, then proceed to the crossword puzzles. If need be, your students may use the sentences page and the visual clues page to help them complete the crossword puzzles. There is a complete Answer Key. American Crossword Puzzles is a great complement to any related history, geography or culture program.

American Crossword Puzzles can also be used on its own. Can you think of a better way to learn the names of the 50 states? Can you think of a better way to learn the names of the 50 state capitals? Can you think of a better way to learn the names of the 43 Presidents? Can you think of a better way to learn the names of 25 famous events? Can you think of a better way to learn the names of 25 U.S. landmarks? Can you think of a better way to learn the names of 25 symbols important to Americans? Can you think of a better way to learn the names of 25 famous Americans?