Compare and Contrast Vocabulary word search, scramble and crossword pu

Compare and Contrast Vocabulary word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this compare and contrast puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our reading unit. The kids could tell two things apart but had no idea what words like compare, contrast, or similarity meant. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like compare, contrast, alike, different, same, similar, difference, both, however, but, on the other hand, similarly, in contrast, whereas, and venn diagram. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the comparison 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. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about whether "alike" and "similar" mean exactly the same thing. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple two-circle Venn diagram drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one way two animals are alike and one way they are different on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.