English teacher Laurice Critchlow recently transformed a routine vocabulary assignment into an immersive learning experience for high school students, according to a November 2 report.
By designing a custom, interactive vocabulary puzzle tailored to Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, Critchlow turned word study into a hands-on challenge designed to keep students engaged and collaborating.
Instead of using standard flashcards or memorization drills, Critchlow created an interactive puzzle where students worked together to solve clues, decode meanings, and contextualize Poe’s language. The method allowed students to act as active participants in their learning rather than passive listeners.
By replacing traditional busywork with engaging, interactive challenges, the approach aimed to show that high school academics can be both rigorous and enjoyable.
