Literary Elements word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Literary Elements word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this literary elements puzzle set for my 4th graders during our reading unit. The kids could tell me what happened in a story but had no idea what words like plot, setting, or theme meant. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like plot, setting, character, theme, conflict, resolution, protagonist, antagonist, narrator, point of view, first person, third person, dialogue, climax, and genre. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the basic literary 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 whether the protagonist is always the good guy. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple open book and magnifying glass drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 4th through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers name the protagonist and antagonist of their favorite book on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.