Ancient Rome word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Ancient Rome word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this Ancient Rome puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our world history unit. The kids had heard of gladiators and the Colosseum but had no idea what words like republic, senate, or aqueduct meant. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like Rome, republic, senate, emperor, gladiator, Colosseum, aqueduct, forum, patrician, plebeian, legion, pax romana, Julius Caesar, and ancient. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the 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. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about whether the Romans had running water in their homes. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple Colosseum and helmet drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one fact about Roman roads on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.