Teaching article
Crossword crossings are evidence for checking an answer
Use both clues and shared letters.
A plausible word remains provisional when another clue conflicts at a shared letter. Revisit both entries and compare the evidence, rather than assuming the first answer entered must be correct.
Treat a conflicting crossing as evidence to investigate. Either intersecting answer may need revision rather than automatically trusting the first entry.
Let the intersection prompt a recheck
Solve a clear clue. Check crossing letters. Revisit conflicts.
Two plausible words may differ at a crossing that another clue constrains.
A guessed word is provisional.
Which crossing supports the answer? Supply a small word bank.
Resources
- My Puzzle Strategy — Record a strategy and one specific observation about how it helped.
Further reading
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- Give a new reader the game rules and watch where they pause
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