ASL Numbers word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

ASL Numbers word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this ASL numbers puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our language and culture unit. The kids were curious about counting in sign language but had no idea how the handshapes changed from 1 to 20 or what made 6 different from 9. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using numbers like one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, and twenty. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the number vocabulary finally stick and to get them practicing the handshapes while they were at it .

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 the sign for 6 and 9 are the same but upside down, or why 11–15 use that little flicking motion . The crossword I use for partners or as a review after a signing practice session. I added a couple simple hand shape illustrations to show palm orientation for numbers 1–5 but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers practice signing their age to a partner on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.