Word Search Puzzle Pack for Use with Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

This Where the Red Fern Grows word search pack helps students review vocabulary from Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, written for Grades 5-8. It is a no-prep 48-page printable PDF with answer keys, sold on Teachers Pay Teachers.

At a glance

• Book: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
• Grades: 5th–8th
• Resource type: Word search
• Format: 48-page printable PDF
• Answer key: Included
• Teaching duration: 1 Week
• Standards: L.5.4, L.6.4, L.7.4, L.8.4
• Price: $3.00

Bring vocabulary to life with this no-prep word search puzzle pack designed for use with Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. Your students will love searching for key terms from every chapter group as they build spelling and word recognition skills—all while staying deeply connected to the novel.

I know how precious your planning time is. This resource saves you hours by giving you ready-to-print puzzles that cover the entire novel—from Billy’s first longing for pups to the sacred red fern. Just pick the unit, print, and go.

What’s Included:

• 12 engaging word search puzzles — 10 unit puzzles that follow the chapter groupings (I–II, III–IV, V–VI, VII–VIII, IX–X, XII–XIII, XIV–XV, XVI, XVII–XVIII, XIX–XX) plus 2 whole-book cumulative review puzzles
• 15 carefully chosen words per puzzle pulled directly from the text: characters (Billy, Old Dan, Little Ann), settings (Tahlequah, the Ozark Mountains), plot-action words (bawling, chopping, backtrack), and academic vocabulary (determination, advertisement, elimination)
• Complete answer keys for every puzzle — truly no prep required beyond printing
• Beautifully illustrated pages with thematic artwork (red ferns, coonhounds, lanterns) in both full-color and black-and-white versions (ink-saving!)
• 48 pages total, including a handy teacher notes page

These word searches fit right into your existing routine. Use them as bell-ringers, literacy centers, early finisher activities, homework, sub plans, or end-of-unit reviews. They’re flexible enough for whole-class warm-ups, small groups, or independent practice.

While your students enjoy the puzzle format, they’re also reinforcing vocabulary acquisition and spelling tied directly to the novel. The pack aligns with Common Core standards L.5-8.4 (determine or clarify the meaning of unknown words) and L.5-8.6 (acquire and use grade-appropriate academic and domain-specific vocabulary).

Get this resource on Teachers Pay Teachers today and have your entire novel’s vocabulary activities ready in minutes!

Disclaimer:

This product is an independent supplemental resource designed for use with Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. 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 Where the Red Fern Grows resources

All Where the Red Fern Grows activities & puzzles

Frequently asked questions

What grade level is this for?

It is written for Grades 5-8 (TpT lists 5th-8th).

How long is it?

It is a 48-page printable PDF. Suggested teaching time: 1 Week.

Are answer keys included?

Yes. Answer keys are included.

Do students need their own copy of Where the Red Fern Grows?

Yes. This is an independent supplemental resource and does not include the text of Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, so students need their own copy.

How do I get this resource?

It is sold on Teachers Pay Teachers ($3.00) as a PDF download. Use the Buy on TpT button on this page.