Compare and Contrast Vocabulary Word Search, Scramble and Crossword Puzzle

I made this compare and contrast puzzle set for my Year 4 and 5 students during our reading unit. The kids could tell two things apart but had no idea what words like compare, contrast, or similarity meant. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like compare, contrast, alike, different, same, similar, difference, both, however, but, on the other hand, similarly, in contrast, whereas, and venn diagram. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the comparison vocabulary finally stick.

The set is six pages. Three puzzles, each with its own answer key page. The word search works well for quiet time after break. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about whether "alike" and "similar" mean exactly the same thing. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple two-circle Venn diagram drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for Years 4–6. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write one way two animals are alike and one way they are different on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.