Work and Power word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Work and Power word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this work and power puzzle set for my 4th graders during our physical science unit. The kids thought work meant a job or homework and had no idea that in science, pushing something without moving it isn't work at all. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like work, power, force, distance, time, energy, push, pull, move, joule, watt, machine, simple machine, load, and effort. 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 holding a heavy box still counts as work in science class. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple drawings of someone pushing a box across the floor but nothing too busy.

Works for 4th through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers explain why pushing on a wall that doesn't move is not scientific work on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.