Growth Mindset word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Growth Mindset word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this growth mindset puzzle set for my 2nd and 3rd graders during our social-emotional learning unit. The kids would say "I can't do math" but had no idea they could say "I can't do math yet." So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like growth, mindset, yet, try, fail, learn, mistake, challenge, practice, effort, improve, smart, brain, stretch, goal, and believe. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the growth mindset 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 indoor recess. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about whether making mistakes helps you learn. The crossword I use for partners or as a review. I added a couple simple brain, plant growing, and lightbulb drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 2nd through 4th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers rewrite "I'm not good at spelling" with a growth mindset sentence on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.