Word search - Autumn, x16 words to find

What’s included?
This download includes two pages (x2 A4 sheets, portrait orientation as a pdf) featuring one ‘Autumn words’ word search (page 1). The answers (on page 2) clearly show where all words are hidden, displayed in the same layout (as page 1) for easy comparison and quick reference.

Other seasons (Spring, Summer and Winter) are also available in my TES shop (also for free!) as well as ‘months of the year’ and other word searches in this same style.

Who’s it for?
This word search has been designed for pupils the early years, in years one and two, as well as students needing additional learning support.

This simple, clear resource has been carefully designed to encourage young learners with reading ‘high frequency’ key words. Knowing these common ‘Autumn words’ - both reading them on-sight and learning the correct spellings will benefit both reading and writing. This word search makes the spellings clear, there are x16 words to find.

Resource layout
The word search letters are arranged in a x10 by x10 square grid and featuring easy to read size 25 ‘Sassoon Infant Std’ font.

The Autumn words have been organised into four groups of four, clearly showing all hidden question words below the word search. As said, there are x16 words to find in total.

These words are hidden horizontally (forwards and backwards) and vertically (up as well as down). Words to find are; acorn, cold, conker, harvest, apple, pie, pumpkin, soup, bonfire, fireworks, halloween, sparkler, hedgehog, leaves, squirrel and toadstool.

Recommendations
I recommend that learners use a ‘highlighter’ style pen when finding the hidden words as highlighters enable all letters to remain visible once each word has been identified. Some letters have been used more than once (for different words) so all letters need to remain visible (if words are instead ‘crossed out’ this makes the letters harder to read and identify). This word search may be printed and laminated to be reused.

Useful for…
I find word searches like this good way to motivate pupils to read words and while engaging in the activity learners are encouraged to focus on the spellings as they really think about the order of which letter follows which within each ‘Autumn’ word especially as they try to track words which are hidden backwards or diagonally within the word search! This word search can make a good use of time as a follow on activity for early finishers. Word searches can be an engaging homework task, useful in supporting reading, spelling and writing.

Important message…
ANY issues with any of this please don’t hesitate to let me know - I am happy to make changes AND I am happy to create a new resource if you have an idea just let me know - I’d love to hear from you! Feedback would be wonderful! Thank you!