Plot Setting and Theme word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this plot, setting, and theme puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our reading unit. The kids could tell me what happened in a story but had no idea how to separate the plot from the setting or figure out the theme. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like plot, setting, theme, time, place, location, season, problem, solution, events, main idea, message, lesson, moral, and author's purpose. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the three story elements 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 theme is the same as the main idea. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple house, clock, and book drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers name the setting of their favorite book on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.