Value of Word Searches Is Questionable

Several times a week, my fourth-grader has to do word searches, frequently for homework. The searches tie in with his spelling words or vocabulary for social studies or science. He thinks that they are a lot of fun. When he does them in class, he especially enjoys competing with his classmates to see who can finish a word search the fastest. I consider them a waste of time. Who is right? -- Against Word Searches
Answer: We tend to side with you. Frankly, a number of teachers use word searches as time fillers -- giving strength to your argument that they are a waste of time when the goal of today's schools is to produce thinkers and problem-solvers.
Other teachers justify using word searches by saying that they build vocabulary and thus contribute to children's reading skills. It is hard to see how this can be true. Vocabulary is not built by matching and circling words -- but by reading and using words in a variety of activities. There can be some justification for using word searches if children are given a list of words and have to find the synonyms or antonyms for them. Then the word search could possibly be described as a vocabulary builder.