Each word of a puzzle is connected to the ‘next’ word in the circle – reading clockwise, or moving to the right. The process can be explained like this: Each word in a puzzle has it’s own definition. When combined with another word the two words together have a different definition. The puzzle above includes the words or phrases manpower, power plant, plant food, food chain, chain mail, and mailman. 

​Process: After sharing the Activity Objective (above), provide a solved  example of a puzzle – use the one 6 word puzzle above, writing the words on index cards and laying them out in correct order (with some help from the group), so they get the destination they are heading.

Then explain their task is to initially put all the words they have in correct order – this could forming a circle of words or simply setting the word cards down in a straight line. Then, they will need to determine what word can be used to connect the two ends together. They use the blank index card and marker to write their word and place it in the sequence.

Help Cards: Each group has one Help Card (if there are only three groups in play, give each group two Help Cards). They can be used by a group to ask you a question. Frame it in this way:

“You’ll notice you have a Help Card. You can use it to ask me a question about your puzzle. Now, keep this in mind. You can ask me a question, but I am not obligated to answer it. For example, if you ask me, ‘What is the missing word in our puzzle?’ I will choose not to answer this question because it solves the objective – too easy. Questions that help you along your journey I’m more prone to answer.”

Getting to Work: Clarify any questions the groups have about the Activity Objective or the rules. The main rule is that all word cards must be used. Then, let them get to work.

Play until the first group discovers their missing word. Then, give all other groups one extra minute to discover their missing word. After that last minute, bring everyone together for a Reflection session (see, Possible Reflection Questions below).

Facilitated Objective: This version of Word Circle Puzzles (Collaborative What’s Missing) has, at least, two built in opportunities for collaboration. The first are Help Cards. If the groups come together and agree on what to ask the facilitator, they don’t ‘waste’ questions. Most groups don’t collaborate and end up asking facilitators the same questions. The second is discovering missing words. If they come to realize they are working on the same puzzle, other groups will have the missing word a group is looking for.

Fact: The puzzle does not even need to be solved. Each group just needs to find their missing word. When all groups have all the same words, the Activity Objective has been met.

Facilitator Note: Don’t tell the groups the name of this activity. Using the word ‘collaborative’ can solve a key problem for them – we want them to figure it out, or talk about it during the reflection.

Possible Reflection Questions: 

• What was the most challenging part of this puzzle for you? 
• How many Help Cards did you have? How many Help Card were available to the entire group?
• How did you use the Help Cards? Is there another way you could have used your help cards? 
• Did you realize each group was working on the same puzzle? When did you realize you were all working on the same puzzle – how did you find out? 
• Was collaboration against the rules? What was your objective? In what way could collaboration have helped you meet your objective? 

• What are some reasons for not collaborating with others? What are some of the benefits of collaborating with other 
• Source – http://www.fundoing.com