Word Searches for Teachers
On the hunt for word search printables to reinforce the vocabulary that your students are learning to inject a bit of fun into the school day? You've hit the jackpot with word search puzzles designed by teachers for teachers!
This extensive collection of printable worksheets covers a wide range of elementary school subjects and topics, from Thanksgiving word searches to Colonial America vocabulary games. Particularly useful for teachers working with young ESS students, ELL students, and struggling readers to help boost reading comprehension achievements, these printables can help students who are struggling with language to become more familiar with their newly learned words.
New to using word searches, or just looking for fresh ways to incorporate them into your lesson plans? Our teachers have got you covered with quick primer!
What Is a Word Search? A Kid-Friendly Definition
Sure, you know what a word search is, but how do you present them to your students? Try this kid-friendly definition!
A word search is a puzzle made up of a grid of letters with hidden words placed horizontally, vertically or diagonally. The goal is to locate and circle the words within the grid.
How to Use Word Searches in Your Classroom
Looking for new ways to use this simple tool in your classroom? The teachers on the Teach Starter team have put together a few ideas to liven up your classroom and unlock more "aha" moments for your students!
- Add word searches to your sub tub for simple work students can complete when you're out sick.
- Use word searches as an eye-training tool for students with reading deficits in a special education classroom.
- Use word searches to help students develop their decoding and deciphering skills.
- Use the vocabulary word list on each search, and practice pronunciation with ESL and ELL students before allowing them to work to find the words in the puzzle.
- Add word searches to your early finisher folders.
Don't see exactly the puzzle you need for your classroom? Check out our handy online word search generator for teachers!
- Plus Plan
Thanksgiving Word Search
Stretch your upper elementary students’ vocabulary and reading skills with a delicious Thanksgiving word search.
- Plus Plan
Thanksgiving Puzzle Book - 3rd and 4th Grade
Have a blast completing the fun activities in this printable Thanksgiving puzzle book for 3rd grade and 4th graders.
- Free Plan
Personal Qualities Word Search
Explore different personal qualities with your students with this printable personal qualities word search.
- Free Plan
Empathy Word Search
Introduce or review vocabulary terms related to empathy with this free word search worksheet.
- Free Plan
The Constitution for Kids - Bill of Rights Word Search
Find and discuss words related to Constitution Day with a printable Bill of Rights word search.
- Plus Plan
States of Matter Word Find - Upper Grades
Use a States of Matter word search to introduce your upper-grade students to new academic vocabulary.
- Free Plan
Summer Paralympics Word Search - Upper Grades
Teach your students about the Paralympic Games with our summer sports word search for grades 3-6.
- Plus Plan
Animal Classification Word Search Pack - Lower Grades
Introduce your students to the six animal types/classes with a pack of printable animal word search worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Christmas Activity Sheets Workbook
Have a blast completing the fun activities in this printable Christmas activity book for upper grades.
- Free Plan
Soil Vocabulary Word Search
Immerse your students in the subject-specific vocabulary related to soil with this word search perfect for elementary students.
- Plus Plan
Rounding Decimals Number Search Worksheets for 5th Grade
Encourage your 5th-grade students to practice rounding decimals to the nearest whole number, tenth and hundredth with this set of number search worksheets.
- Free Plan
Recycling Word Search
Build your students’ vocabulary around the topic of recycling with this recycling-themed word search.
- Free Plan
OW and OU Words - Word Search
Explore "ou" and "ow" words with this set of differentiated word searches.
- Plus Plan
OI and OY Words - Word Search
Explore words containing “oi” and “oy” with this set of differentiated word searches.
- Plus Plan
Long Vowel Words - Long A Word Search
Explore words containing some of the most common “long a” vowel teams with this set of differentiated word searches.
- Free Plan
Find It! - Sight Word Worksheets
Make your sight word instruction fun with this word search puzzle.
- Plus Plan
Rocks and Minerals Word Search
Introduce or review academic vocabulary with a printable Rocks and Minerals Word Search.
- Plus Plan
States of Matter Word Search - K-2
Use a States of Matter word search to introduce your K-2 students to new academic vocabulary.
- Plus Plan
Number Word Search Puzzles
Assign these number word search puzzles to your students to give them practice identifying the word form of the numbers 0 through 20.
- Free Plan
Summer Paralympics Word Search - Primary
Build vocabulary related to the Summer Paralympic Games with this engaging word search puzzle for 1st grade students.
- Plus Plan
Days of the Week - Months of the Year Word Search
Practice recognizing the days of the week and months of the year with printable Day and Month Word Search worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Types of Weather – Word Search
Review science vocabulary terms with an engaging weather word search.
- Plus Plan
Natural Resources Word Search
Review the different natural resources with a word search.
- Plus Plan
Parts of Speech Word Search – Nouns, Adjectives, and Verbs – Worksheet
A word search where students find and categorize nouns, adjectives and verbs.
- Free Plan
The War of 1812 - Word Search
Build academic vocabulary skills with a War of 1812 word search.
- Plus Plan
Long I Words - Word Search
Explore words containing some of the most common “long i” spelling patterns with this set of differentiated word searches.
- Plus Plan
The Great Depression Word Search
Increase academic vocabulary with a Great Depression word search.
- Plus Plan
Westward Expansion Word Search
Increase academic vocabulary with a Westward Expansion word search.
- Free Plan
MLK Day Word Search
Identify the words and works of Martin Luther King Jr. in our MLK Word Search.
- Plus Plan
Christmas Word Search
Help spread holiday cheer with our Christmas word search.
- Plus Plan
Grammar Word Search with Solution
A word search to help your students learn a variety of grammatical terms.
- Plus Plan
Reading Is Magic! Word Search
Download this differentiated word search based on the theme “Reading Is Magic.”