Grade 7 Research and Informational Writing word search, scramble and c

Grade 7 Research and Informational Writing word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this research and informational writing puzzle set for my 7th graders during our writing unit. The kids could find facts but had no idea what words like research, source, citation, or plagiarism meant when we started learning how to write an informational essay. They also kept mixing up "paraphrase" and "quote." So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like research, source, citation, bibliography, plagiarism, paraphrase, quote, summarize, evidence, fact, thesis, introduction, body, conclusion, and academic . I also included a few like "annotated bibliography" and "MLA" because they kept coming up in our class discussions . Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the 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 or independent practice. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about the spelling of "bibliography" (it's a tricky one) or whether paraphrasing is the same as summarizing (it's not—they always have opinions about it) . The crossword I use for partners or as a review, and I usually have a research paper outline or a citation guide nearby for the kids who need the visual support to see the structure of an informational essay . I added a couple simple book, magnifying glass, and pencil drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 7th through 8th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one reason why citing sources is important on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.