Cause and Effect Terms word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Cause and Effect Terms word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this cause and effect puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our reading comprehension unit. The kids could see that one thing led to another but had no idea what words like cause, effect, or consequently meant. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like cause, effect, because, since, therefore, so, as a result, consequently, leads to, due to, reason, outcome, result, trigger, and produce. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the cause and effect signal words 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 "because" always signals a cause. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple domino and arrow drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write a cause and effect sentence using "therefore" on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.