Managing Emotions word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Managing Emotions word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this managing emotions puzzle set for my 2nd and 3rd graders during our social-emotional learning unit. The kids could name their feelings but had no idea what words like coping, calm, or strategy meant when we talked about what to do with big feelings. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like calm, breathe, relax, talk, draw, write, listen, music, quiet, walk, squeeze, stretch, and pause. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the coping 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 taking a deep breath actually helps. The crossword I use for partners or as a review. I added a couple simple calm cloud, breathing star, and stress ball drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 2nd through 4th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one coping strategy they use when they feel upset on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.