Speed, Velocity & Acceleration Word Search

Speed Velocity Acceleration word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this speed, velocity, and acceleration puzzle set for my 4th graders during our physical science unit. The kids knew fast and slow but had no idea that velocity includes direction or that acceleration isn't just speeding up. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like speed, velocity, acceleration, direction, fast, slow, change, constant, increase, decrease, meters per second, distance, time, slowing down, and turning. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the differences 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 a car turning a corner is accelerating even if speed stays the same. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple car and arrow drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 4th through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one sentence explaining how velocity is different from speed on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.