Teacher Information Page
Save the EarthClick Here to View Treasure Hunt
By Laurie Barton
BARTONL@Schenectady.k12.ny.us
2nd Grade/ Reading Extension Activity
Woodlawn Elementary – Schenectady City School District
Introduction
This treasure hunt will allow the students to develop an understanding of the origin and importance of Earth Day. I developed this hunt to be used as an extension to the last reading unit in the Scott Foresman Reading Program used by the Schenectady City School District. The stories in the unit talk about ways to clean and beautify the communities in which the characters live.
Learners
The most challenging aspect in formulating this search was to find material that would be age appropriate for 2nd graders. For the most part I was able to meet this need. Rather than send the student to the home page of the site, I decided that it would be easier to attach URL to the specific page containing the information. Depending upon the level of learner, some students may need teacher guidance. As mentioned I will be using this hunt as a reading extension activity. However, it could be used in conjunction with classroom lessons/activities pertaining to Earth Day.
Resources
Students will need a computer with Internet access as the primary resource. You may want to include a printer (to print any interesting information that they may want to keep) and some sort of worksheet to record their answers.
Standards
The following standards will be addressed as a result of completing the Treasure Hunt.
Reading and writing of language for Information and Understanding.
(In addition to researching information, students will asked to write a
brief summary
on what they have learned)
Technology Research Tool
Students will use technology to locate, evaluate, collect information from a variety of sources.
Process
After reading the first stories in the unit the students will be given a basic overview of what a treasure hunt is all about and what will be expected of them as a result of using the hunt. The students will work in teams of two or individually depending on the availability of lab computers at the time of the hunt. They will record their information and we will have a group discussion afterwards on what they have learned. They will then be asked to write a brief summary.
Evaluation
Students will be evaluated based upon their written and oral responses, in addition to anecdotal record taken during their time on the computer.
Credits and References
The graphics were taken from three different sites: I am sad to say that the flag was taken from an Internet site without any record of its location noted, the dog came from www.earthdog.com and the world/child graphic from www.kidz4peace.com
The following Internet sites were used:
www.earthsite.com
www.kidsdomain.com
www.kidz4peace.com
www.earthday.net www.earthdog.com