Ratios and Proportions word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this ratios and proportions puzzle set for my 5th graders during our math unit. The kids could compare quantities but had no idea what a ratio was or how to tell if two ratios made a proportion. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like ratio, proportion, compare, relationship, part to part, part to whole, equivalent, scale, cross multiply, fraction, colon, for every, per, constant, and rate. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the ratio and proportion terms finally click.

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 2:3 is the same as 4:6. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple fruit bowl and mixing paint drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 5th through 6th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write a ratio comparing boys to girls in the class on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.