Community Building word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Community Building word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this community building puzzle set for my 2nd and 3rd graders during our social-emotional learning unit. The kids could name their classmates but had no idea what words like community, belong, or teamwork meant when we talked about how we all fit together. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like community, belong, teamwork, trust, respect, listen, share, help, include, and celebrate. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the community building 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 a community is only people who live near each other. The crossword I use for partners or as a review. I added a couple simple handshake, heart, and globe drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 2nd through 4th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one way they help their classroom community on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.