"Find and Circle the Words: A Word Find Activity With a Twist" is a worksheet that's a little like a traditional word find but with a few twists.

First, the words aren't provided in a word bank. Instead, students must find their own words within the jumbled-up letters and list the words they found below. Second, every letter in the puzzle is used exactly once. This encourages problem-solving, but it also gives them some direction. If they're feeling stuck, they can look for words around letters that haven't been circled yet.

The first puzzles on the worksheet require students to locate words that are spelled to the right or down. Later, students also find words that are written left or up, which means they have to find words that are spelled backward, too. Blanks are provided under each puzzle, with some words already circled and written on the lines. Students know they have found all of the words when they fill in all the blanks.

Word finds can be a fun way for students to practice spelling and vocabulary skills. You can give them more of a challenge by providing them with word finds that have a twist.

For example, you could give students a word find without a word bank. Instead, they have to see how many words they can find. As they find each word, they write it down below, which is great spelling practice. Leave a blank next to each word for students to write the definition if you want to give them a little extra vocabulary practice.

You can make it more difficult by giving them word finds where every single letter in the puzzle is used exactly once. You can also create puzzles where students only circle words right or down or harder puzzles where they look for words left and up or even diagonal. That way, they can practice their problem-solving skills in addition to spelling and vocabulary.