Critical Thinking Company: Crypt-O-Words Junior

Crypt-O-Words Jr. is an 80-page activity book for a fun and interesting way to teach advanced vocabulary. This book is built in a way that enables it to be used with a wide range of ages and grades from early elementary to middle school, depending on the student’s level of skill and interest in language arts. Crypt-O-Words focuses on recommended vocabulary lists for PSAT and SAT test prep.

The vocabulary is “Caught, not Taught” through engaging activities like hidden-word texts, puzzles, and decoding ciphers. The books reinforce many language arts standards including Greek and Latin roots, analogies, word structure, vocabulary, and a variety of poetic forms. In addition, the activities incorporate famous quotes, historical references, science, etymology, a variety of word puzzles, and group “games” that serve to further cement the meaning of words in the student’s mind and practical usage.

The activities vary in format, but students will encounter and practice new words repeatedly and in a variety of contexts. Each lesson also includes space for the student to practice writing and spelling each new vocabulary word. Teaching suggestions and detailed answers are also included.