Resiliency Words word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this resiliency puzzle set for my 4th and 5th graders during our social-emotional learning unit. The kids could face challenges but had no idea what words like resilience, bounce back, or perseverance meant when we talked about getting through hard times. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like resilience, bounce back, tough, strong, never give up, keep going, try again, hope, courage, and adapt. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the resiliency 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 resilience is something you're born with or something you learn. The crossword I use for partners or as a review. I added a couple simple tree standing in wind and bouncing ball drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 4th through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one time they showed resilience on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.