Scavenger Hunts: Tools for building literacy, vocabulary, engaging students, and supporting lessons Presented by: Mary E. Datka August 2, 2016 Presented by: Mary E. Datka August 2, 2016

Welcome!  Please take a piece of blank paper  On the paper, write your name and 2 questions you would ask if you were interviewing them; these can be about your family, your career, your friends, your dreams ~ anything goes!  Fold it into a paper airplane and send it soaring across the room.  Keep them flying! Yes, pick it up and send it sailing again!  Now, go hunting for the original owner of the plane.  Ask them the questions – we will share as we introduce our colleagues and begin!  Please take a piece of blank paper  On the paper, write your name and 2 questions you would ask if you were interviewing them; these can be about your family, your career, your friends, your dreams ~ anything goes!  Fold it into a paper airplane and send it soaring across the room.  Keep them flying! Yes, pick it up and send it sailing again!  Now, go hunting for the original owner of the plane.  Ask them the questions – we will share as we introduce our colleagues and begin!

During this session, you will:  Understand what a scavenger hunt is  Discuss the benefits of utilizing this tool  Explore different types and styles of scavenger hunts that may be adapted to your classroom topic  Create your own scavenger hunt  Understand what a scavenger hunt is  Discuss the benefits of utilizing this tool  Explore different types and styles of scavenger hunts that may be adapted to your classroom topic  Create your own scavenger hunt

Your experience…  Have you ever played “seek and find”?  What do you recall about the experience?  Have you ever played “seek and find”?  What do you recall about the experience?

What is a “Scavenger Hunt”? scav·eng·er hunt noun noun: scavenger hunt ; plural noun: scavenger hunts a game in which participants have to collect a number of miscellaneous objects. scav·eng·er hunt noun noun: scavenger hunt ; plural noun: scavenger hunts a game in which participants have to collect a number of miscellaneous objects.

Another definition… A scavenger hunt is a game in which the organizers prepare a list defining specific items, which the participants seek to gather or complete all items on the list, usually without purchasing them. Usually participants work in small teams, although the rules may allow individuals to participate. Scavenger _ hunt A scavenger hunt is a game in which the organizers prepare a list defining specific items, which the participants seek to gather or complete all items on the list, usually without purchasing them. Usually participants work in small teams, although the rules may allow individuals to participate. Scavenger _ hunt

What word stands out in both definitions? “Game”

Benefits??  Teamwork  Problem-solving skills  Engaging  Hands-on learning  Fun  Teamwork  Problem-solving skills  Engaging  Hands-on learning  Fun

And more…  Easily customized…  Have a math class – use problem solving to get to the next clue;  Teaching new vocabulary – use words and have them find definitions or sentences to move to the next clue;  Enriching a particular theme – build the theme into the clues with visual aids;  Have a few children excelling or needing extra help – color code the clues for varying degrees of difficulty, as this will allow team work despite ability differences  Easily customized…  Have a math class – use problem solving to get to the next clue;  Teaching new vocabulary – use words and have them find definitions or sentences to move to the next clue;  Enriching a particular theme – build the theme into the clues with visual aids;  Have a few children excelling or needing extra help – color code the clues for varying degrees of difficulty, as this will allow team work despite ability differences

And more…  Your ideas?

Different types and styles - Vocabulary  Lets look at the “Vocabulary” Scavenger Hunt sample … how could you use this in your lesson?

Different types and styles - Science  How about the one titled “Science” … what does it really capture and how could you use this in your lesson?

Different types and styles - Book  How about the one titled “Book” … what is the root goal of this model / example?

Different types and styles – Sight Words and Literacy  Let’s look at the ones titled “Sight Words” and “Literacy”.  What advantages do you see in them?  How could they be used?  What modifications could be incorporated?  Let’s look at the ones titled “Sight Words” and “Literacy”.  What advantages do you see in them?  How could they be used?  What modifications could be incorporated?

Different types and styles – Library  A scavenger hunt for a library? Would you expect that?  Could you use this in your room? How?  A scavenger hunt for a library? Would you expect that?  Could you use this in your room? How?

And for you …  Let’s take a look at your own QADS, Ministry of Education, Belize (2008) “Primary Language Arts Learning Outcomes” document.  Use the small section of the document provided to locate the information outlined on your scavenger hunt form.  Let’s take a look at your own QADS, Ministry of Education, Belize (2008) “Primary Language Arts Learning Outcomes” document.  Use the small section of the document provided to locate the information outlined on your scavenger hunt form.

Debrief …  Which of the models was this most like?  Do you see a benefit in this type of learning activity?  Which of the models was this most like?  Do you see a benefit in this type of learning activity?

Now create your own …  In teams, develop a scavenger hunt using only paper and post-it notes.  Distribute the scavenger hunt to the neighboring team for completion.  In teams, develop a scavenger hunt using only paper and post-it notes.  Distribute the scavenger hunt to the neighboring team for completion.

Let’s do it!  Each team will now complete the scavenger hunt given to them by their colleagues.  Happy hunting!  Each team will now complete the scavenger hunt given to them by their colleagues.  Happy hunting!

Now that we know what we know…  Who can benefit from this model of learning?  What samples had you not seen or thought of before?  When can they be used?  Where do you think you can incorporate using these?  Why use them?  How can they change your lesson or classroom?  Who can benefit from this model of learning?  What samples had you not seen or thought of before?  When can they be used?  Where do you think you can incorporate using these?  Why use them?  How can they change your lesson or classroom?

Closing thoughts… A few of my favorite quotes… Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. ~Neil Postman Children who engage in rich conversations with responsive adults become reflective thinkers. Conversation brings deeper meaning to life as children seek to contemplate and understand their world. Conversation is the comprehension connection. ~Ketch, 2005 If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person. ~Fred Rogers A few of my favorite quotes… Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. ~Neil Postman Children who engage in rich conversations with responsive adults become reflective thinkers. Conversation brings deeper meaning to life as children seek to contemplate and understand their world. Conversation is the comprehension connection. ~Ketch, 2005 If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person. ~Fred Rogers