Famous Explorers of the World word search, scramble and crossword

Famous Explorers of the World word search, scramble and crossword

I made this famous explorers puzzle set for my 4th graders during our world history unit. The kids could name Columbus but had no idea about Magellan, da Gama, Cook, or other explorers from around the globe. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like Columbus, Magellan, da Gama, Cook, Cabot, Hudson, Pizarro, Cortes, Lewis, Clark, exploration, voyage, discovery, route, and navigation. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the names and their accomplishments 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 was the first to circumnavigate the globe. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple ship and compass drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 4th through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers pick one explorer and write what they discovered on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.