Dear Liza,
It seems that most of the grown-ups in the country are playing an on-line game called Wordle. It has become so popular that Mr. Wardle, who invented the game, has sold it to the New York Times newspaper for over a million dollars.
When you play Wordle, you have six chances to figure out a five letter word. The game gives you clues as to which of your guessed letters are in the right place, the wrong place, or not in the answer at all. Most days, I can get the answer in four or five tries.
The problem is, there is only ONE official Wordle puzzle a day.
We wanted MORE!! So we started doing Wordles on paper.
This is how we play. One person comes up with a five letter word, which they keep secret. The other person makes their first guess, and is given their clues. A dot means “this letter is in the word, but not in this place”. A letter gone over in heavy writing means “this letter is in the right place.” If the letter has no mark, it isn’t in the word at all.
Sometimes the word comes easily, and other times it feels like there is no way you are ever going to get it. And because you have to remember the word you invented and give accurate clues, it is a good brain exercise for both players.
The on-line game has been a fun way to start our mornings, and we play our on-paper version at lunchtime.
Happy brain-gaming!
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 