Have you seen small groups of students running around hunting for boxes at your school lately? If so, then you’ve seen us geocaching, a fun, active way to solve SOL related problems! It’s a great way for students to move around outside while working in groups and solving SOL related problems. They love it!!
Here’s the basic idea: It’s like a high-tech scavenger hunt. The kids use a handheld gps units to find hidden boxes around the school yard (your ITRT will help you set this up ahead of time). When they get to a box, they use clues inside to figure out the answer to a problem or complete and activitiy.
Currently we have sets of activities created (or being created) for the following units:
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Regions of VA (4th)
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Pirate Math (end of 2nd)
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Global Studies (5th)
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Library (Genres)
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PE (Fall activity involving math and PE)
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Phases of the Moon (4th)
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Weather
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Native Americans (2nd)
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Native Americans (4th)
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Carnivore/Herbivoire/Omnivore (3rd)
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
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Musical Instrument Families
We are coming up with more each day….and would be happy to create one for a different unit with your help if you have an idea! If you are interested in trying out this activity with your students before it gets too cold, let me know.
I would be very interested in your activities as I would like to try this with my kids. I have the pirate one but would like to see your Moon one and Carnivore one.
Thanks
Ian
(ihancock(at)telusplanet.net)
I am interesting in exploring your geocaching activities. Do you have a link to the activities?
You can find all the ones the ITRTs and teachers in our district have made here:
http://geocache.itrtblog.com/
If you have any you’d like to share with us, we’d love that too! It’s always great to trade ideas! :)