Active Listening word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Active Listening word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this active listening puzzle set for my 2nd and 3rd graders during our social-emotional learning unit. The kids could hear someone talking but had no idea what words like listening, eye contact, or focus meant when we talked about really paying attention. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like listen, eye contact, focus, nod, ask, wait, turn, understand, quiet, and respect. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the active listening vocabulary finally stick.

The PDF is four pages. Three puzzles plus one answer key page. The word search works well for quiet time after recess or indoor recess. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about whether hearing and listening are the same thing. The crossword I use for partners or as a review. I added a couple simple ear, eye, and nodding face drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 2nd through 4th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one way to show someone you are listening on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.