Dictionary and Reference Skills word search, scramble and crossword pu

Dictionary and Reference Skills word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this dictionary and reference skills puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our library unit. The kids could look up a word but had no idea what guide words, entry words, or pronunciation keys were for. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, atlas, almanac, guide word, entry word, definition, part of speech, pronunciation, syllable, example sentence, synonym, antonym, and cross reference. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the reference terms 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 how to use guide words to find a word faster. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple open book and magnifying glass drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers look up a word in a real dictionary and write its definition on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.