Word Search & Crossword Bundle for Use with Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse | 6-9

These Out of the Dust vocabulary activities combine word search and crossword puzzles for Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse in one bundle, written for Grades 6-9. It is a no-prep 80-page printable PDF with answer keys, sold on Teachers Pay Teachers.

At a glance

• Book: Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
• Grades: 6th–9th
• Resource type: Bundle: word searches + crosswords
• Format: 80-page printable PDF
• Answer key: Included
• Teaching duration: 2 Weeks
• Standards: L.6.4, L.6.6, L.7.4, L.7.6, L.8.4, L.8.6, L.9-10.4, L.9-10.6 and more
• Price: $4.50

Get the best of both worlds—vocabulary reinforcement AND deep comprehension practice—with this complete puzzle bundle for Karen Hesse’s Out of the Dust. You’ll receive two full packs: a word search puzzle pack for building word recognition and a crossword puzzle pack for higher-order recall and inference, all at a better value than purchasing them separately.

If you’re juggling different learning levels or just want a cohesive set of no-prep activities for the entire novel, this bundle has you covered. Every puzzle is print-ready, beautifully illustrated, and designed to save you time on planning while keeping students genuinely engaged.

What’s Included:

• 20 total puzzles — 8 section-specific word searches and 8 section-specific crosswords (Winter 1934 through Autumn 1935) plus 2 whole-book review word searches and 2 whole-book review crosswords
• Word Search Pack: 15 carefully selected words per section puzzle (character names, settings, plot objects, tiered vocabulary), 20 words per review puzzle, full answer keys, color & black-and-white versions
• Crossword Pack: 15 differentiated clues per section puzzle (accessible, medium-inference, and challenging), 20 clues per review puzzle, full answer keys, color & black-and-white versions
• Approx. 80 pages total of well-illustrated, cleanly formatted activities
• Zero prep required — just print the page you need and go; no cutting, folding, or assembly

Use these resources for literacy centers, warm-ups, homework, sub plans, early finishers, literature circles, or end-of-unit review. The word searches are perfect for vocabulary introduction and spelling reinforcement; the crosswords push students to cite textual evidence, analyze word meaning in context, and make inferences about Billie Jo’s journey.

Together, they support RL.6.1–9.1 (textual evidence), RL.6.4–9.4 (word meaning in context), and L.6.4–9.6 (vocabulary acquisition) across Grades 6–9 — all through activities students actually enjoy completing.

Get this bundle on Teachers Pay Teachers today and give your class a complete, standards-aligned vocabulary and comprehension toolkit for Out of the Dust — no prep, no stress, and a solid discount.

Disclaimer:

This product is an independent supplemental resource designed for use with Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the author or publisher. All references to characters, settings, and events are used for educational purposes only to support reading comprehension and classroom instruction. This resource does not include the original text. Students must have their own copy of the book to complete the activities. All content in this resource is original and created by the seller.

Fonts Used:
Roboto by Christian Robertson | Open Sans by Steve Matteson | Playfair Display by Claus Eggers Sørensen | Lexend by Dr. Bonnie Shaver-Troup & Thomas Jockin | Poppins by Jonny Pinhorn | Montserrat by Julieta Ulanovsky
(All fonts are available via Google Fonts and licensed for commercial use under the SIL Open Font License.)

More Out of the Dust resources

All Out of the Dust activities & puzzles

Frequently asked questions

What grade level is this for?

It is written for Grades 6-9 (TpT lists 6th-9th).

How long is it?

It is a 80-page printable PDF. Suggested teaching time: 2 Weeks.

Are answer keys included?

Yes. Answer keys are included.

Do students need their own copy of Out of the Dust?

Yes. This is an independent supplemental resource and does not include the text of Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, so students need their own copy.

How do I get this resource?

It is sold on Teachers Pay Teachers ($4.50) as a PDF download. Use the Buy on TpT button on this page.