The Aztec Civilization word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

The Aztec Civilization word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this Aztec civilization puzzle set for my 4th graders during our world history unit. The kids had heard of the Aztecs but had no idea about Tenochtitlan, floating gardens, or their empire. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like Aztec, Mexico, Tenochtitlan, lake, chinampa, floating garden, empire, emperor, temple, sacrifice, warrior, eagle, cactus, Cortes, and conquest. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the 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. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about whether the Aztecs built their city on a lake. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple eagle and temple drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 4th through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one fact about Tenochtitlan on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.