The Respiratory System word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

The Respiratory System word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this respiratory system puzzle set for my 3rd and 4th graders during our human body unit. The kids knew they breathed in and out but had no idea what the lungs actually did or what the diaphragm was for. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like lungs, trachea, bronchi, diaphragm, oxygen, carbon dioxide, inhale, exhale, breathe, nose, mouth, alveoli, capillary, exchange, and air. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the vocabulary finally 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 about whether you breathe oxygen in and carbon dioxide out. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple lung and windpipe drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 3rd through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers explain what happens when you inhale on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.