5th grade nonfiction passage about crossword puzzle makers: 200 words, seven questions, an answer key and vocabulary.
5th gradenonfictioncrossword puzzle makers200 words
How a Crossword Maker Builds a Puzzle Grid
Every crossword puzzle in a newspaper was built by a person, and the person had to solve a puzzle of their own first. A crossword constructor must fit dozens of words into a grid so that every word that crosses another one shares a letter.
The constructor usually starts with a theme. For example, the longest answers might all be funny phrases that have one thing in common. These long answers go into the grid first, because they are the hardest to place.
Then comes the grid itself. Many newspaper puzzles follow a pattern: the black squares look the same if you turn the page upside down. Constructors do this because it makes the puzzle look balanced and neat. After the black squares are set, the writer fills in the remaining spaces, one word at a time. Sometimes a word will not fit, and the writer must erase a whole corner and try again.
Last, the writer creates a clue for each answer. Easy clues give away the word quickly. Tricky clues use a pun or a different meaning of a word. Before the puzzle is printed, test solvers try it and report any clue that is confusing or unfair.
Questions
What must a crossword constructor do with the words in a grid? in the text
Which answers does the constructor place in the grid first? in the text
What pattern do many newspaper puzzles follow? in the text
What does the writer do when a word will not fit? in the text
Who tries the puzzle before it is printed? in the text
Why does the constructor place the long answers first? think about it
Why would test solvers report a confusing clue? think about it
Words to know
constructor
a person who builds or puts something together
grid
a pattern of squares in rows and columns
theme
the main idea that ties parts together
pun
a joke that plays on words with more than one meaning
balanced
even on both sides
Name ____________________________ Date ______________
How a Crossword Maker Builds a Puzzle Grid
5th grade reading passage
Every crossword puzzle in a newspaper was built by a person, and the person had to solve a puzzle of their own first. A crossword constructor must fit dozens of words into a grid so that every word that crosses another one shares a letter.
The constructor usually starts with a theme. For example, the longest answers might all be funny phrases that have one thing in common. These long answers go into the grid first, because they are the hardest to place.
Then comes the grid itself. Many newspaper puzzles follow a pattern: the black squares look the same if you turn the page upside down. Constructors do this because it makes the puzzle look balanced and neat. After the black squares are set, the writer fills in the remaining spaces, one word at a time. Sometimes a word will not fit, and the writer must erase a whole corner and try again.
Last, the writer creates a clue for each answer. Easy clues give away the word quickly. Tricky clues use a pun or a different meaning of a word. Before the puzzle is printed, test solvers try it and report any clue that is confusing or unfair.
Questions
What must a crossword constructor do with the words in a grid?
Which answers does the constructor place in the grid first?
What pattern do many newspaper puzzles follow?
What does the writer do when a word will not fit?
Who tries the puzzle before it is printed?
Why does the constructor place the long answers first?
Why would test solvers report a confusing clue?
Words to know
constructor: a person who builds or puts something together
grid: a pattern of squares in rows and columns
theme: the main idea that ties parts together
pun: a joke that plays on words with more than one meaning
balanced: even on both sides
Free at teach.peabody.kids/passages/5/crossword-maker-builds-puzzle-grid
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One passage, three levels
The same topic and facts written three ways, so a mixed class can read and talk about one text. Each group’s sheet shows only a shape; the key says which is which.
● Easier · 183 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 3.7
Every crossword in the newspaper was made by a person. That person had to solve a puzzle first. A crossword constructor must fit many words into a grid. Each word that crosses another one shares a letter.
The constructor often starts with a theme. The long answers might all be funny phrases. They have one thing in common. These long answers go in first. They are the hardest to place.
Then comes the grid. Many newspaper puzzles follow a pattern. The black squares look the same when you turn the page upside down. Constructors like this because the puzzle looks neat and balanced. When the black squares are set, the writer fills in the rest. This is done one word at a time. Sometimes a word does not fit. Then the writer erases a whole corner and tries again.
Last, the writer makes a clue for each answer. Easy clues give away the word fast. Tricky clues use a pun or a second meaning. Before printing, test solvers try the puzzle. They tell the writer about any clue that is confusing or unfair.
▲ This passage · 200 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 6.6
Every crossword puzzle in a newspaper was built by a person, and the person had to solve a puzzle of their own first. A crossword constructor must fit dozens of words into a grid so that every word that crosses another one shares a letter.
The constructor usually starts with a theme. For example, the longest answers might all be funny phrases that have one thing in common. These long answers go into the grid first, because they are the hardest to place.
Then comes the grid itself. Many newspaper puzzles follow a pattern: the black squares look the same if you turn the page upside down. Constructors do this because it makes the puzzle look balanced and neat. After the black squares are set, the writer fills in the remaining spaces, one word at a time. Sometimes a word will not fit, and the writer must erase a whole corner and try again.
Last, the writer creates a clue for each answer. Easy clues give away the word quickly. Tricky clues use a pun or a different meaning of a word. Before the puzzle is printed, test solvers try it and report any clue that is confusing or unfair.
■ Harder · 212 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 9.1
Every crossword puzzle printed in a newspaper was assembled by a real person, who first had to solve a puzzle of a different kind. A crossword constructor must fit dozens of words into a grid so that every word crossing another one shares a letter with it.
The constructor usually begins with a theme. For instance, the longest answers might all be amusing phrases that share one characteristic. These lengthy answers are placed in the grid first, because they are the most difficult to position.
Then the constructor designs the grid itself. Many newspaper puzzles follow a pattern in which the black squares look identical when the page is turned upside down. Constructors favor this arrangement because it makes the puzzle appear balanced and orderly. Once the black squares have been positioned, the writer fills in the remaining spaces one word at a time. Occasionally a word refuses to fit, and the writer has to erase an entire corner and start that section over.
Lastly, the writer composes a clue for every answer. Straightforward clues reveal the word quickly, while tricky clues depend on a pun or on a different meaning of a word. Before the puzzle is printed, test solvers attempt it and report any clue they find confusing or unfair.
Every crossword in the newspaper was made by a person. That person had to solve a puzzle first. A crossword constructor must fit many words into a grid. Each word that crosses another one shares a letter.
The constructor often starts with a theme. The long answers might all be funny phrases. They have one thing in common. These long answers go in first. They are the hardest to place.
Then comes the grid. Many newspaper puzzles follow a pattern. The black squares look the same when you turn the page upside down. Constructors like this because the puzzle looks neat and balanced. When the black squares are set, the writer fills in the rest. This is done one word at a time. Sometimes a word does not fit. Then the writer erases a whole corner and tries again.
Last, the writer makes a clue for each answer. Easy clues give away the word fast. Tricky clues use a pun or a second meaning. Before printing, test solvers try the puzzle. They tell the writer about any clue that is confusing or unfair.
Questions
What must a constructor do with the words in a grid?
Which answers go into the grid first?
What pattern do many newspaper puzzles follow?
What does the writer do when a word does not fit?
Who tries the puzzle before it is printed?
Why do the long answers go in first?
Why would a test solver report a confusing clue?
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Name ____________________▲
How a Crossword Maker Builds a Puzzle Grid
Every crossword puzzle in a newspaper was built by a person, and the person had to solve a puzzle of their own first. A crossword constructor must fit dozens of words into a grid so that every word that crosses another one shares a letter.
The constructor usually starts with a theme. For example, the longest answers might all be funny phrases that have one thing in common. These long answers go into the grid first, because they are the hardest to place.
Then comes the grid itself. Many newspaper puzzles follow a pattern: the black squares look the same if you turn the page upside down. Constructors do this because it makes the puzzle look balanced and neat. After the black squares are set, the writer fills in the remaining spaces, one word at a time. Sometimes a word will not fit, and the writer must erase a whole corner and try again.
Last, the writer creates a clue for each answer. Easy clues give away the word quickly. Tricky clues use a pun or a different meaning of a word. Before the puzzle is printed, test solvers try it and report any clue that is confusing or unfair.
Questions
What must a crossword constructor do with the words in a grid?
Which answers does the constructor place in the grid first?
What pattern do many newspaper puzzles follow?
What does the writer do when a word will not fit?
Who tries the puzzle before it is printed?
Why does the constructor place the long answers first?
Why would test solvers report a confusing clue?
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Name ____________________■
How a Crossword Maker Builds a Puzzle Grid
Every crossword puzzle printed in a newspaper was assembled by a real person, who first had to solve a puzzle of a different kind. A crossword constructor must fit dozens of words into a grid so that every word crossing another one shares a letter with it.
The constructor usually begins with a theme. For instance, the longest answers might all be amusing phrases that share one characteristic. These lengthy answers are placed in the grid first, because they are the most difficult to position.
Then the constructor designs the grid itself. Many newspaper puzzles follow a pattern in which the black squares look identical when the page is turned upside down. Constructors favor this arrangement because it makes the puzzle appear balanced and orderly. Once the black squares have been positioned, the writer fills in the remaining spaces one word at a time. Occasionally a word refuses to fit, and the writer has to erase an entire corner and start that section over.
Lastly, the writer composes a clue for every answer. Straightforward clues reveal the word quickly, while tricky clues depend on a pun or on a different meaning of a word. Before the puzzle is printed, test solvers attempt it and report any clue they find confusing or unfair.
Questions
What must a crossword constructor do with the words in a grid?
Which answers does the constructor place in the grid first?
What pattern do many newspaper puzzles follow?
What must the writer do when a word refuses to fit?
Who attempts the puzzle before it is printed?
Why does the constructor position the lengthy answers first?
Why would test solvers report a confusing clue?
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Answer key: How a Crossword Maker Builds a Puzzle Grid
● Easier (Flesch-Kincaid grade 3.7)
Fit them so each word that crosses another shares a letter.
The long theme answers.
The black squares look the same upside down.
Erases a whole corner and tries again.
Test solvers.
They are the hardest to fit, so the rest is built around them.
So the writer can fix it and keep the puzzle fair.
▲ This passage (Flesch-Kincaid grade 6.6)
Fit them so every word that crosses another shares a letter.
The long theme answers.
The black squares look the same when the page is turned upside down.
Erases a whole corner and tries again.
Test solvers.
They are the hardest to fit, so it is easier to build the rest around them.
So the writer can fix it and make sure the puzzle is fair for the people who solve it.
■ Harder (Flesch-Kincaid grade 9.1)
Fit them so every word that crosses another shares a letter with it.
The long theme answers.
The black squares look identical when the page is turned upside down.
Erase an entire corner and start that section over.
Test solvers.
They are the most difficult to place, so the remainder of the grid can be built around them.
So the writer can correct it and ensure the puzzle is fair to the people who solve it.
Free at teach.peabody.kids
How to use it
Press Read it big (or B) to put the text on the projector, or Full screen (F) to fill the whole screen.
Ask the questions one at a time and use Show answer when the class has decided. A shows or hides every answer.
Print student copy for the class, or Print with answers for yourself.
Ideas for class
Before reading, put constructor, grid, theme, pun and balanced on the board with their meanings from the Words to know section and have students predict what the text will be about.
Read it aloud once while students follow along, then have them reread it alone or with a partner. At a calm 100 words a minute it takes about 2 minutes to read aloud.
Use the Read it big button (or B) to put the text on the projector, and Show answer on one question at a time so the class commits to an answer first.
Question 6 asks the reader to infer. Ask students to point to the words in the passage that led them to their answer.
Ask students to write one question the passage did not answer, then look for the answer in a book or on a classroom screen.
Print the student copy for independent work and keep the answer-key copy for yourself.
What reading level is "How a Crossword Maker Builds a Puzzle Grid"?
It was written for 5th grade. It has 200 words and works out to a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of about 6.6. That is a formula's estimate from sentence length and syllables, and it is not a Lexile or a guided reading level, so check it against your students.
What do the questions ask?
There are seven. 5 ask for something the text says directly and 2 ask the reader to work something out from clues. Each has an answer in the key, and the answers are written as a teacher would accept them, not as the only possible wording.
How long does it take to read?
About 2 minutes read aloud at 100 words a minute. For a one-minute fluency check, paste it into the fluency timer and use the word count.
Can I print it?
Yes. Print student copy gives the passage, the questions with lines to write on, and the word meanings. Print with answers gives the same page with the answers filled in. Both are made in your browser.
Is this passage from a published book?
No. It was written for Peabody Teach, so there is no book to buy and no login to read it.
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