"Assessment is fun," said no student ever! But, it can be! You, as a teacher, can make formative and even summative assessment fun with double puzzle worksheets for kids. Continue reading to learn about double puzzles, how I use them for assessment, differentiate the double puzzle worksheets, and how you can get them for teaching science and science standards in environmental, biology, anatomy & physiology, earth, chemistry, physical science, and more! This Evolution Review Double Puzzle worksheet makes formative assessment fun!
So, what exactly are double puzzle worksheets?
Well…it's a puzzle. Likewise, if your students like word searches, crosswords, and such for formative assessment, they'll like double puzzles, too! Long story short, it's a puzzle with double the fun! First, students answer questions. Then, the answers to those questions give students clues to solve a second puzzle. As a result, this formative assessment idea allows students to practice with the information learned about any big idea or science standard, even next-generation (NGSS) science standards for all levels, from special education, gifted, advanced placement (AP), and more.
How do I use double puzzle worksheets for formative assessment?
That's easy peasy. The printable science worksheet lets students show what they know about a science standard by answering questions. Then, teachers can assess their students' understanding by looking at the completed puzzle at the bottom of the page. Because students must understand concepts to answer the questions, a correct puzzle tells me they do!
How do I differentiate double puzzle worksheets?
I create different versions of the double puzzle worksheets. One version includes the letters of the answer scrambled to help students determine the appropriate solution. Furthermore, each puzzle is also available in printable and digital options through TpT Easel and various Google apps.
What are the other benefits and bonuses?
First, it's important to note that no prep is required other than printing or assigning. Second, teachers can use double puzzle worksheets for teaching science in inquiry-based classrooms. How do you do that? Provide the assignment and point students toward a tool they can use for research. The students research and explore, seeking answers to the questions, uncovering information about standards as they do. Furthermore, double puzzles provide feedback similarly to crossword puzzles. If the solution doesn't fit, it's not right, making it quick and easy to assess for understanding. Now that's ambitious science teaching!
You can check out Science from the South Double Puzzles on Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT). There are puzzles for high school and middle school students to use to assess concepts, including biomes, cells, chemical compounds, ecological succession, energy transfer, evolution, genetics, the periodic table, and biology EOC review. Be sure to check out my personal favorite the Evolution Review Double Puzzle!
Have you used double puzzles as a formative assessment?