Sixth Graders Create a Jumble Puzzle to be Played by Millions

Sleepy Hollow Middle School sixth graders have partnered with Jumble creator David L. Hoyt, the world's #1 daily word game maker, and illustrator Jeff Knurek in an ongoing collaboration designed to teach students the "4-C's": Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication.

Mr. Hoyt and Mr. Knurek partnered with 6th grade English teacher Kirk Dietz for this unique and engaging learning experience called "Learning Through Play," a program that centers around Mr. Hoyt's puzzles and games.

The students joined Mr. Hoyt and Mr. Knurek via Google Meet to create two Jumble puzzles that will be featured in newspapers throughout the United States. During the unique visit students gained insight into the process of creating a jumble and talked about what it takes to be a cartoonist. Mr. Knurek took time to explain what programs he uses and how the images will appear in print.

"This opportunity lets students work with a professional author, learn how to create puzzles, and develop teamwork skills. It's a chance to create something that will be played by millions and boost their confidence," said Mr. Dietz.

The students had to come up with a "play on words" for the puzzle answer while Mr. Hoyt and Mr. Knurek created a Jumble puzzle live via Google Meet.

“We're going to collaborate with the students to make an awesome Jumble puzzle that will be played by millions of people in more than 600 newspapers. How cool is that!" said Mr. Hoyt.

Mr. Hoyt engaged with the students by providing insight into the industry and allowing them to ask questions. He then hosted a short trivia game on his favorite topic, space. Students jumped at the chance to show off their knowledge on planets and winners were rewarded with the ability to jumble the answers for the puzzle.

Mr. Knurek explained to the students how he thinks about the dialogue before he begins to draw and how he adds certain elements to his cartoon to help puzzle enthusiasts solve the puzzle.

The captivated students watched Mr. Knurek as he drew the artwork that will accompany their puzzle. They listened as he talked about his journey from being a game and toy inventor to a cartoonist.

Sixth grader Marco Robilotto asked Mr. Knurek what inspired him to be an artist and what he found the hardest to draw.

“When people tell you ‘hey you are good’ it makes you want to continue. I keep trying to get better, I still think I have a lot of improvement to make,” said Mr. Knurek. “The hardest drawing I think is caricatures because it takes a lot of time and you never know how the person is going to react.”

Mr. Hoyt explained to the students that “the puzzles need to be created four to six weeks in advance in case something happens. This way if one of us is sick we are able to print without skipping a beat.” The students were able to choose the date their puzzles will appear in newspapers. The Jumble puzzles will be in newspapers on April 16 and April 17.