Play Strands #919
The same letter grid NYT shows. Drag across touching letters, or tap them one by one and tap the last letter again to check. Theme words turn blue and the spangram turns yellow. Hint outlines one word you haven't found. Nothing is saved, so your real game stays untouched.
Strands #919 hints
Today's official theme is "It's elementary!". If that alone doesn't help, work down the hints below.
Hints used: 0
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What's the theme in plain words?Gentle hint
Look for things you would find inside an elementary school classroom, from furniture and storage spots to supplies used by teachers and students.
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How many words am I looking for?Gentle hint
There are 6 theme words plus the spangram.
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A nudge toward the spangramHelpful hint
Think of the season when kids return to class in late summer, which is also the theme of the big store displays full of supplies, and it stretches across the whole board.
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How do the theme words start?Helpful hint
The theme words start with: C, D, E, G, M, W.
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How long is the spangram, and which way does it run?Strong hint
The spangram has 12 letters and runs from right to left.
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Strands #919 in numbers
- Theme words
- 6
- Recent average
- 5.7
- Spangram length
- 12 letters
- Longest theme word
- 10 letters
Strands #919 answers
Spoiler zone. Below are the spangram and all theme words for September 8, 2026.
Reveal one word at a time
Only want a foothold? Open one word, find it on the board, then go back and try for the rest. Shorter words come first because they give away the least.
Theme word 1 (4 letters)
DESK. It starts in row 7, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 2 (5 letters)
CUBBY. It starts in row 4, column 5, counting from the top left.
Theme word 3 (5 letters)
EASEL. It starts in row 3, column 3, counting from the top left.
Theme word 4 (5 letters)
GLOBE. It starts in row 2, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 5 (7 letters)
MARKERS. It starts in row 7, column 4, counting from the top left.
Theme word 6 (10 letters)
WHITEBOARD. It starts in row 6, column 4, counting from the top left.
The spangram (12 letters)
BACKTOSCHOOL. It starts in row 1, column 6, counting from the top left.
Everything at once
Show every theme word and the solved board
Spangram: BACKTOSCHOOL
Theme words: CUBBY, DESK, EASEL, GLOBE, MARKERS, WHITEBOARD
The clue plays on the word 'elementary' to point to elementary school classrooms, where you would find a CUBBY, DESK, EASEL, GLOBE, MARKERS, and WHITEBOARD. The spangram BACKTOSCHOOL ties them together as the time of year when kids get these classroom items ready again.
Recent Strands puzzles
| Date | Puzzle | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 7 | #918 | It's a deal! |
| Sep 6 | #917 | I've seen better |
| Sep 5 | #916 | Informally known as |
| Sep 4 | #915 | To the rescue |
| Sep 3 | #914 | Hike! |
| Sep 2 | #913 | All will be revealed |
| Sep 1 | #912 | Called by your calling |
About Strands
Strands is a daily New York Times word search with a theme. Every letter on the six-by-eight board belongs to an answer, and one answer, the spangram, names the theme and stretches between opposite sides of the board. Past puzzles are a good way to learn how the themed clues are usually worded.
Other puzzles on Sep 8
Strands #919 questions
What was the Strands spangram on September 8, 2026?
The spangram for Strands #919 was BACKTOSCHOOL, for the theme "It's elementary!".
What were the Strands theme words on September 8, 2026?
CUBBY, DESK, EASEL, GLOBE, MARKERS, WHITEBOARD, plus the spangram BACKTOSCHOOL.
What did the Strands #919 clue mean?
The clue plays on the word 'elementary' to point to elementary school classrooms, where you would find a CUBBY, DESK, EASEL, GLOBE, MARKERS, and WHITEBOARD. The spangram BACKTOSCHOOL ties them together as the time of year when kids get these classroom items ready again.