Native American Word Search, Scramble, and Crossword

Native American Culture Vocabulary word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this Native American culture vocabulary puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our social studies unit. The kids could name some tribes but had no idea what words like shaman, totem, or powwow meant. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like tribe, chief, shaman, totem, powwow, dreamcatcher, moccasin, canoe, bow, spear, pottery, beadwork, story, tradition, and respect for nature. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the cultural vocabulary finally make sense.

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 a totem pole is used for. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple totem pole and dreamcatcher drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one sentence about a Native American tradition on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.