US Government Vocabulary word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

US Government Vocabulary word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this US government vocabulary puzzle set for my 4th graders during our civics unit. The kids knew the president lived in the White House but had no idea what the three branches were or what checks and balances meant. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like government, constitution, democracy, republic, executive, legislative, judicial, president, Congress, Senate, House, Supreme Court, checks and balances, vote, and citizen. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the vocabulary 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 which branch makes the laws. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple building and capitol drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 4th through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers name one check the president has on Congress on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.