Community Helpers word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Community Helpers word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this community helpers puzzle set for my 1st and 2nd graders during our social studies unit. The kids knew about police and firefighters but had no idea what words like mail carrier, librarian, or sanitation worker meant. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like teacher, doctor, nurse, police, firefighter, mail carrier, librarian, sanitation worker, farmer, baker, bus driver, crossing guard, vet, and helper. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the job names 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 who collects the trash. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple hat, apple, and fire truck drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for K through 3rd grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers draw a community helper and write their job on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.