ELL Academic Vocabulary Grade 2 Word Search, Scramble and Crossword Puzzle

I made this academic vocabulary puzzle set for my Grade 2 students during our reading and writing block. The kids could do the work but had no idea what words like "explain," "describe," or "compare" meant when I gave them directions. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like compare, contrast, predict, observe, measure, sequence, summary, main idea, detail, and data. I also threw in a few key ELA terms like noun, verb, and adjective because they come up in every read-aloud we do. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the direction words finally stick.

The download is six pages. Three puzzles plus an answer key page for each. The word search works well for quiet time after recess. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about the difference between "explain" and "describe." The crossword I use for partners or as a warm-up before a lesson. I added a couple simple checkmark, pencil, and book drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for Grades 1 and 2, especially for English learners who need extra exposure to academic language. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers pick one word and use it in a sentence on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.