Making Change word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Making Change word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this making change puzzle set for my 2nd and 3rd graders during our money unit. The kids could add coins but had no idea how to figure out how much change to get back when they paid with a dollar bill. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like change, subtract, cost, paid, difference, dollar, cents, penny, nickel, dime, quarter, how much left, refund, and overpay. Examples include buying something for 75 cents and paying with $1.00, or 35 cents with 50 cents. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the making change strategy 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 what change you get from $1.00 if something costs 30 cents. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple cash register and coin drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 2nd through 4th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers solve "buy something for 45 cents, pay with $1.00, what is change?" on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.