Story Structure Vocabulary word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Story Structure Vocabulary word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this story structure puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our reading unit. The kids could retell a story but had no idea what words like exposition, rising action, or climax meant. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like beginning, middle, end, exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, introduction, problem, solution, conflict, conclusion, plot diagram, and narrative. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the parts of a story finally stick.

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 the climax is the most exciting part. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple mountain shape and book drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers draw a story mountain on the back and label the parts. The kids actually ask for these now.