Opinion Writing Words word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this opinion writing puzzle set for my 2nd and 3rd graders during our writing unit. The kids could say "I like pizza" but had no idea how to state their opinion in a stronger way or give reasons to support it. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like I think, I believe, in my opinion, best, worst, favorite, should, because, reason, example, also, for instance, agree, disagree, and convince. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the opinion sentence starters 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 "I feel" works the same as "I think" in opinion writing. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple thought bubble and star drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 2nd through 4th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write an opinion sentence about their favorite food using "because" on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.