Short Story Vocabulary word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Short Story Vocabulary word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this short story vocabulary puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our reading unit. The kids could read a story but had no idea what words like short story, plot, or theme meant when we talked about the elements of a short story. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like short story, plot, theme, character, setting, conflict, resolution, dialogue, and point of view. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the short story 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 a short story is different from a novel. The crossword I use for partners or as a review. I added a couple simple book, quill, and thought bubble drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write a short story idea using three words from the puzzle on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.