Circuits and Conductors word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Circuits and Conductors word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this circuits and conductors puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our electricity unit. The kids could light a bulb with a battery and a wire but couldn't explain why some materials worked and others didn't. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like circuit, conductor, insulator, battery, wire, bulb, switch, complete, incomplete, flow, electron, metal, plastic, rubber, copper, and aluminum. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the difference between conductors and insulators 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 a pencil lead will complete a circuit. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple circuit drawings with a battery, wire, and bulb but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers list three conductors and three insulators on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.