Educational Word Search Manual
A simple guide to prepare, configure, and use the ProfeJuegos Word Search in class.
What it lets you do
The Word Search turns vocabulary, concepts, and definitions into a visual activity for finding words in class.
The teacher can load words manually, use automatic categories, practice languages, play alone or with students, activate hints, scoring, printing, and participation variants for class.
Quick steps
How to prepare a word search.
Open the game
Go to the Word Search page using the “Open the game” button.
Choose the source
Select manual, automatic, or languages depending on how you want to load the content.
Choose how they will participate
Select play alone or with students to activate turns and classroom dynamics.
Configure the board
Adjust size, directions, and, if needed, time per turn.
Review the list
Check the words or definitions before starting the activity.
Start the game
Click “Start word search” and begin the activity with the class.
Content source
Three ways to prepare the word search.
| Option | What it is for | How it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Manual | Create your own word search for a specific class or topic. | Write one word per line. If you want to play with definitions, also prepare the content as a word and clue within the system’s common dataset. |
| Automatic | Use categories and subcategories already prepared in the plugin JSON files. | Choose category, subcategory, quantity, and order. Then click Load automatic words. |
| Languages | Practice vocabulary between the native language and the language being practiced. | Choose native language, language to practice, category, and subcategory. Then click Load language words. |
Participation
Play alone or with students.
| Mode | When to use it | What appears on screen |
|---|---|---|
| Alone | For individual review, projector practice, or a quick activity. | Board, word list, and hint and print buttons. |
| Students | For turns, ranking, scoring, and classroom dynamics. | Turn popup, timer if time is activated, hints, ranking, and board variants depending on the configuration. |
Variants for students
Ways to use the word search with the class.
Classic
The list of words that the class must find on the board appears on the right.
With definitions
Instead of words, students see definitions and must identify the hidden word that matches each clue.
Race
Students move forward with carts according to their correct answers. It is useful for more visual and competitive dynamics.
| Option | When it appears | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| One board for everyone | In automatic and languages. | The whole class works on the same word search. |
| One board per student | In automatic and languages. | Each student receives a different word search with the same words in a different order. |
Rules
Settings the teacher can adjust.
| Option | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Board size | Allows you to choose the initial size. If all the words do not fit, the system can automatically enlarge the board and notify you. |
| Directions | It can include only straight directions or straight and diagonal directions to make the search easier or more difficult. |
| Time | In students mode, it allows you to limit each turn. If time runs out, it moves to the next student. |
| Turn | It can be manual or automatic, depending on whether the teacher wants to control the change or let the system move forward on its own. |
| Scoring | You can play with or without points. If activated, the teacher can assign initial points in tens. |
Points and hints
How scoring works in students mode.
Printing
It can also be used on paper.
Clean board
Printing leaves only the board and the list of words or definitions. The letter and number guides from online mode are not printed.
Classroom use
It is useful for handing out worksheets, pair work, reinforcement, learning stations, or a quick task to end the class.
Ideas for use
When it is useful to use the Word Search.
Activate prior vocabulary
Before starting a topic, to review key words or basic concepts.
Close a unit
As a final review activity, especially if you want a light and visual dynamic.
Work on languages
To reinforce translations, thematic vocabulary, and the relationship between the native language and the language being practiced.
Turn-based competition
In students mode, to organize turns, points, hints, and visible ranking.
Frequently asked questions
Common teacher questions.
What happens if all the words do not fit
The system tries to compact the word search and, if necessary, automatically enlarges the board. If they still do not fit, it warns you before starting.
Can it be played with definitions
Yes. In students mode, you can use the “With definitions” variant so the class searches for the correct word based on each clue.
Can it be printed
Yes. The printed version removes the guides from online mode and leaves a clean board with the list of words or definitions.
Do all students see the same word search
It depends on the configuration. You can choose a shared board for the whole class or a different board for each student.
Ready for class
Prepare a word search in just a few minutes.
Load words, organize turns, and turn vocabulary or definitions into a visual activity for your group.