Scavenger hunts are a fantastic way to break the ice, build excitement, and introduce students to their new environment. Whether you're teaching kindergarten or college, a well-crafted scavenger hunt can be a memorable start to the school year, so we've prepared some ideas on how you can use it for your first day of school.
What is a Scavenger Hunt?
A scavenger hunt is a game where you have a list of items or clues to find. In this case, instead of hunting for physical objects, your students will be looking for information or clues related to their new class and school year. They'll have to work as quickly as possible to complete the list, and the team or individual who finishes first (or with the most items) wins a prize! It's a fun way to get to know their classmates, you as their teacher, and what to expect this year.
How to Set It Up
Before the first day, prepare a list of clues or questions for your students. You can create worksheets or use a presentation. You will need to base these questions or prompts on what you have available in your classroom, what's in the textbooks, and what the students have access to.
For example, if you want them to learn about classroom rules through this game, you are going to need a classroom rules poster that is easily readable and one of the questions on the list should be about it. The students will have to read the rules to be able to answer the question.
On the day, divide your students into groups or let them work individually, depending on your class size and desired level of interaction. You can add a competitive element by timing the students or offering small prizes for the fastest or most complete hunts.
Back-to-School Scavenger Hunt Prompts
Here are some prompt ideas that can be adapted for any subject. Remember, the goal is to familiarize your students with their new class, sourcebooks, and yourself. This will also help you get to know them better and know what you can expect from them, or what their pre-knowledge level is. Feel free to customize these further based on your needs:
Discover the Year's Theme: Find a clue about the main topic or theme of your class this year.
Meet Your First Project: Locate a hint about the first project or assignment you'll be working on.
Uncover Essential Supplies: Find a list of materials you'll need for this class.
Crack the Code: Decipher a message about your class's grading system.
Mark Your Calendar: Discover an important date for this class (test, due date, field trip).
Find Your Voice: Locate information about class participation expectations.
Explore the Textbook: Find a chapter title that intrigues you.
Set a Goal: Discover a learning objective for the year.
Meet the Team: Find information about your teacher's background or interests.
Discover Your Resources: Locate information about available online resources or textbooks.
Build Connections: Find a way to connect with a classmate.
Uncover the Rules: Locate the classroom rules or expectations.
Explore Your Potential: Find information about extra credit opportunities.
Discover Your Strengths: Find something that aligns with your interests or passions.
Unleash Your Creativity: Find an opportunity for creative expression in your class.
More Specific Back-to-School Scavenger Hunt Prompts
Here's a list of some more specific back-to-school scavenger hunt prompts to give you some idea of what you could include in your game for the specific subject you teach. These are mostly connected to the textbook content, so you will have to customize it based on the level you teach.
Math
Find a formula that you'll use to solve equations.
Locate a geometry term that starts with the letter "P."
Discover a real-world application of a mathematical concept.
Uncover a famous mathematician's name.
Find a data set that you could use to create a graph.
Science
Find an element with a symbol that starts with "C."
Discover a scientific law or theory.
Locate an image of a biological cell.
Uncover information about a recent scientific discovery.
Find a measurement unit used in science.
Language Arts
Find a famous quote from a literary work.
Discover a literary device used in a short story.
Locate a character with a complex personality.
Uncover the plot of a novel.
Find a synonym for the word "happy".
Foreign Language
Find a common phrase used in everyday conversation.
Discover the meaning of a cultural symbol.
Locate a grammar rule for verb conjugation.
Uncover a famous person from the target language country.
Find a song or poem in the target language.
History
Find a turning point in history.
Discover a significant historical conflict.
Locate information about a different historical era.
Uncover a famous historical document.
Find a connection between a past event and the present.
Geography
Find a physical feature of the Earth.
Discover the location of a major city.
Locate information about a different climate zone.
Uncover a natural resource found in a specific region.
Find a map showing different time zones.
IT
Find a definition of a computer hardware component.
Discover a popular programming language.
Locate information about cybersecurity.
Uncover a website design principle.
Find a digital tool or application.
Art
Find an example of a specific art movement.
Discover a famous artist and their style.
Locate information about different art techniques.
Uncover the meaning behind a piece of art.
Find a connection between art and another subject.
Tips for Success
Adapt to Your Students: Tailor the prompts to your students' age and subject matter. For younger students, use simpler language and more visual clues. For older students, make the prompts more challenging and thought-provoking. Make them leaf through their books or other materials they have at their disposal to answer the questions.
Create a Buzz: Build anticipation for the scavenger hunt by giving students clues or hints beforehand. You can raise their motivation with simple prizes, such as stickers, bookmarks, pencils, or erasers.
Encourage Teamwork: If using groups, emphasize cooperation and communication.
Make It Fun: Keep the atmosphere light and enjoyable. Offer encouragement and praise. Let the students stand up and move around the classroom to find answers.
Learn and Grow: Use the scavenger hunt as an opportunity to assess students' prior knowledge and interests.
By incorporating a back-to-school scavenger hunt into your first day of school, you'll create a dynamic and engaging learning experience that will set a positive tone for the rest of the year. Remember to have fun and be creative!
If you have any other prompt ideas, please share them in the comments :)
Wanna learn more about game-based learning? Join our professional development ERASMUS+ KA1 course: https://www.opalteachertraining.com/courses/gamify-your-classroom
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