Lesson Plan

Hawaiian Scavenger Hunt

Overview

Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the Internet through a Web Quest. Students will gather information about our 50th state to use throughout the Aloha unit.

Objective

Students will: 
  1. Explore Web sites about Hawaii to gather data on culture, history, and economics
  2. Refresh Internet search skills
  3. Follow directions to gather necessary information

Materials

  1. Hawaii Scavenger Hunt (PDF)
  2. Pencil
  3. Computer with Internet access

Set Up and Prepare

  1. Make a class set of the Hawaii Scavenger Hunt (PDF)
  2. Reserve use of computers if necessary

Directions

  1. Discuss methods of locating information on the Internet. Ask students: "What is a Web Quest?" "Does anyone have a favorite search engine?" "What is the easiest or quickest way to find information on the Internet?" Assess students' knowledge of search techniques and review if necessary.
  2. Ask students if they have ever gone on a scavenger hunt. Describe a traditional scavenger hunt. What might a scavenger hunt on the Internet be? Discuss possibilities.
  3. Remind students that in Lesson 1 they learned that Hawaii is our 50th state, and that today they are going to use the Internet to gather much more information.
  4. Distribute the Hawaii Scavenger Hunt (PDF). Explain that in a traditional scavenger hunt time is limited, so it's necessary to work quickly. Their Internet scavenger hunt is similar: in one session, they must visit as many sites as they can to gather the data and it's important to stay on task.
  5. Gather students around a computer and model locating information for a scavenger hunt question.
  6. Each answer is to be in complete sentences and must have the "http://" included.
  7. Ask if there are questions, and start the students working. Circulate, making sure that all students are on task and understand the assignment.
  8. In a whole-group setting, have students justify their findings by discussing the scavenger hunt questions. Ask students: "Were there any questions that could not be answered?" "Were their any problems finding the answers?"
  9. Have students compare and contrast the Web sites or search engines that they used for the hunt. Discuss with students ways that people make judgments about the reliability of the information that they find on the Internet.

Supporting All Learners

Differentiate the instruction by having students who are struggling or having difficulty with the scavenger hunt work with a partner. You might also choose to pair gifted students together to find answers to a set of more advanced search questions.

Lesson Extensions

Choose an event about Hawaii and expand their knowledge with a presentation, poster, or Power Point. Research Hawaiian customs and traditions. Compile a list of Web sites that are useful.

Assignments

  1. Students will refresh their Internet skills and follow instructions.
  2. Students will recall, recognize, and record information from the scavenger hunt.
  3. Students will compare and discuss Web sites.

Evaluation

  • Should there be a review on using the Internet?
  • Do you think the students were on task?
  • Were the students able to locate answers for all of the questions on the scavenger hunt?
  • What could you do to motivate students more?

Assess Students

  1. Through discussion, students will justify their scavenger hunt finds.
  2. Collect scavenger hunt worksheets and assess for completion and participation.

  • Subjects:
    Social Studies, Assessment, Research Skills, Data Analysis, Communication and the Internet, Educational Technology
  • Skills:
    Online Sources, Social Studies, Research Skills
  • Duration:
    1 Class Period
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