"Curacao & The Cay Scavenger Hunt"
GOALS:
1. Use resource books to research information and increase factual knowledge about Curacao and other facts from The Cay.
2. Work efficiently with another student to collaborate ideas and findings.
RESOURCES:
1. Scavenger hunt handout (Teacher will designate X number of questions for each group to answer.)
2. Various resource books (atlas, almanac, dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.)
3. Access to the school library
3. Internet access for researching topics
LESSON ADAPTED FROM:
Sterling, M. E. (1990). Thematic Unit: Oceans. Huntington Beach: Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
TIME:
Not including the time it will take to read the novel, this lesson will require between 2 hours and 3 hours, 15 minutes. (Part 1 [45 minutes to 1 hour]; Part 2 [15 to 30 minutes]; Part 3 [30 to 45 minutes]; Part 4 [30 minutes to 1 hour])
PROCEDURE:
Introduction:
In this lesson, students practice using resource materials by researching various topics in different resource books. Students will increase their overall knowledge about facts of Curacao and The Cay.
Part 1:
Step 1- Review different types of resource books with the class. Visit the school library to clarify where the various resource books are located.
Part 2:
Step 2- Pair the students into groups of two.
Step 3- Give each group one of the four scavenger hunt lists.
Step 4- Ask each group to determine and list the type of resource book (atlas, almanac, dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.) they will use to find the information for each of the six items.
Step 5- When resource books are listed, share and discuss as a class.
Part 3:
Step 6- Each group will find the answers for their scavenger hunt. Groups must provide the answers for their hunt and turn them in. Teachers will check for accuracy and return answers so students can do Step 7. (Note: Answers may vary.)
Part 4:
Step 7- Groups will combine findings to create a "Curacao Resource Book," a collection book of all the factual findings.
ASSESSMENT:
1. Each group must complete and hand in the scavenger hunt handout. (Criteria for success= X number of facts recorded and answered correctly and X number of proper resource books listed. Reasonable criteria= 80% of the facts recorded and answered correctly.)
2. Teacher and students will make assessment of partner work. (Criteria for success= See Teacher and Student Rubrics for Partner Work.)
CURRICULAR STRANDS AND MAJOR CONCEPTS:
1. Language Arts- Communicating with partners and class. Using The Cay to research various facts about Curacao.
2. Social Studies- Using the library and resource books to research information; questions in the scavenger hunt.
3. Science- Questions in the scavenger hunt.
4. Art- Construction of the class' collection book on Curacao and The Cay.
POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS:
1. Use a bulletin board, to create a collage to illustrate some of their findings.
2. Have each group create a scavenger hunt for another group to do. Once created, switch hunts between groups and research data.