Australian NAIDOC Week word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Australian NAIDOC Week word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this NAIDOC Week puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our July unit. The kids had heard of NAIDOC but had no idea what words like Indigenous, culture, or history meant when we learned about Australia's First Peoples. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like NAIDOC, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, culture, heritage, history, land, tradition, ceremony, dance, art, story, respect, and celebrate. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the NAIDOC Week 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 NAIDOC stands for something. The crossword I use for partners or as a review. I added a couple simple Aboriginal art dot and boomerang drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers name one fact about Australia's First Peoples on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.