Treasure_Hunts

= **Treasure Hunts on the Web** = = =




 * What is a treasure hunt? **
 * A treasure hunt is a learning activity that directs students to Internet resources in order to complete a series of questions and tasks
 * Since the goal of a treasure hunt is to enable the students to access information in order to meet a learning objective, the focus of the treasure hunt is reading comprehension.
 * Example: Hola Mexico!


 * What is a framework that aligns the Treasure Hunt with strategies that support reading comprehension **?
 * 1) Select a topic for study that supports the curriculum that can best be explored with additional classroom resources.
 * 2) Select web pages that provide information that you feel is essential to understanding the given topic. There is no prescribed number of web pages to include in the Treasure Hunt.
 * 3) From the resources found, determine the most appropriate aspect of the topic to explore with the Treasure Hunt. Not all information provided in the resources will be relevant to this aspect nor can all aspects of the topic be explored through the Treasure Hunt. Determine a focus.
 * 4) Develop an //understanding statement// that conveys the focus that this Treasure Hunt will develop. Post this at the beginning of the Treasure Hunt for students to read.
 * 5) Develop an introduction that hooks the students. Connect the topic to be explored with the students on a personal level.
 * 6) Design a catchy title that will pique students' curiosity
 * 7) Develop a series of questions that address the //understanding statement// and can be answered by reading the web sites provided. Include only questions that are central to the //understanding statement//. Develop questions that require students to read passages and identify, interpret, analyze and/or evaluate information. Develop questions that go beyond restatement of fact. For these questions, imbed the appropriate links within the questions. Use the [|Question/Answer/Relationship] (QAR) method to design the series of questions.
 * 8) Develop at least one question that focuses on an image to help students learn how images convey meaning. When appropriate, ask student to explain how the image compares or contrasts from their own mental image as they read the selection.
 * 9) Preview the questions and web sites with the students, identifying the types of questions in QAR.
 * 10) Have students read the Treasure Hunt and answer the questions
 * 11) Finally, have students complete a performance task that provides evidence that they understand the //understanding statement//. Examples:


 * Graphic organizer
 * Visual representation/drawing
 * Dramatic performance
 * Brochure


 * What is an example of a treasure hunt designed for comprehension **?
 * [|Hola Mexico!]
 * Mitosis
 * The Guilded Age
 * Cardiovascular System
 * Treasure Hunt and Gather


 * What are the qualities of a great treasure hunt? **
 * [|Treasure Hunt Rubric]

Cajie. (2008). Treasure chest. Retrieved March 2, 2011 from http:...422152115/
 * What implementation strategies support reading comprehension **?
 * Set the purposes for reading and examine the understanding statement
 * Preview the linked web pages and navigation needs
 * Discuss varied purposes for reading and the occasional need to reread a selection
 * Discuss the need to click on any hyperlinks
 * Discuss the purposes of visual images
 * Discuss the different types of questions and QAR. Then Preview the questions related to the central idea.
 * Instruct students to work collaboratively to pose questions and begin the TH.