Solar Energy word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Solar Energy word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this solar energy puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our renewable energy unit. The kids knew the sun was hot but had no idea how we turn sunlight into electricity. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like solar, energy, sun, panel, photovoltaic, cell, electricity, renewable, clean, power, rooftop, farm, battery, inverter, and light. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the vocabulary make sense.

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 over how a solar panel actually works. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple sun and panel drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 2nd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers name three things that could run on solar power on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.