Equations and Inequalities word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Equations and Inequalities word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this equations and inequalities puzzle set for my 5th graders during our algebra unit. The kids knew how to balance simple equations but had no idea what an inequality was or what symbols like <, >, or ≠ meant. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like equation, equal, inequality, greater than, less than, not equal, solve, solution, variable, balance, both sides, isolate, check, true, and false. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the equation and inequality terms finally click.

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 x > 3 includes the number 3. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple balance scale and alligator mouth drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 5th through 6th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write an inequality for "temperature is less than 32 degrees" on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.