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Yo ho ho! A Pirates Life for Me Scavenger Hunt
Description:
This lesson will use a pirate-inspired treasure map to entice second and third grade students to explore their library's non-fiction section using the Dewey Decimal System. They will be given a treasure map with clues that they will need to use the OPAC to answer. The treasure map format will help motivate students to explore the non-fiction section of the library.

The lesson should be used close to September 19th: International Talk Like a Pirate Day. This activity will coincide with activities through the school in English and Social Studies. A simple lesson (PowerPoint presentation) on use of the OPAC will be included prior to the activity.
Goals & Objectives:

Instructional Goals:

  • Students will be able to find the information they need using the OPAC.
  • Students will gain experience using the OPAC.
  • Students will work together to solve treasure hunt clues.
  • Students will be more comfortable with the layout of the library and the Dewey Decimal System.

Learning Objectives:
  • Students will locate one book in each Dewey decimal classification using handout and the OPAC.
  • Students will perform successful searches in the OPAC to complete eight clues.
  • With the information gained from the OPAC, students will complete the worksheet.
  • Students will successfully work in groups of four to complete the appointed task.

Motivational Goals:

  • Generate interest in the information located in the library
  • Build students’ confidence in locating items in the library
  • Reinforce students’ confidence in learning and increase comfort in using the library
  • Promote student satisfaction in locating correct items in the library for this and future assignments
  • Students will be motivated to take out books they would normally pass by
Materials & Sources:

Materials: 

Numbers (cut out)

Mystery box (box wrapped with a brown paper bag and question marks drawn on it)

Groupnames.cutouts

Clues.cutouts

Treasure Chest (imagination is the limit)! 

Black  circles and ribbon (pre-cut)

Pirate  

 

Projection Unit

Lesson on OPAC (http://www.geocities.com/hturner05/OPACLesson.ppt)

Game: Treasure Hunt

Online Catalog Access

Handout.TreasureHunt

Index cards

Chalk/Dry Erase board

 

Books: 

Kennedy, Kim. (2002). Pirate Pete. New York: Harry N. Abrams

 

Dubowski, Cathy East. (1996). All Abord Reading Level 2: Pirate School. New York: Gosset & Dunlap

 

Andreae, Giles. (2006). Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs.

 

McConnell, Sarah. (2006). Don’t Mention Pirates. New York: Barron’s Educational Series.

 

Kennedy, Kim. (2002). Pirate Pete. New York: Harry N. Abrams.

 

Scieszka, Jon and Lane Smith (2004). Time Warp Trio: The Not So Jolly Roger. New York: Puffin.

 

Osborne, Mary Pope and Sal Murdocca. (1994). Magic Tree House: Pirates past Noon. New York: Random House Books for Young Readers.

 


Procedures:

NOTE:  All handouts and the complete lesson plan can be found in supporting files. 

 

Pre-Activity

Creation of mystery box with ship/crew names to split the class.  Include as many ship names as needed to create even groups.

 

Create a treasure chest which includes such items as bookmarks, candy, small prizes, and other items (DollarStore type items) and place it behind the Circulation desk (with Library Clerk if you have one)

 

Collect items so that you can dress up as a pirate for the activity.

 

Prior to the pirate treasure hunt, the Teacher Librarian must hide the words to a sentence to be completed by solving the clues on the worksheet.  The sentence says: Where do you check out and return books?  Each word is in a different book answering the clues on the handout.  For example:

 

Clue 1:  Princesses and Princes live in these?  Where would I find a book about   ________?

Answer and call number:  ____________________ ­

 

The answer is castles and 900s so every non-fiction title that is about castles would contain a piece of paper with the word Where on it.

 

 

Introduction: 

Dress up as a pirate and greet students as they come in by saying Ahoy Me Hearties (A).  When students have found their seats, the Teacher Librarian will begin by telling students that is International Talk Like a Pirate Day and informing students they will have a treasure hunt in the library.  Next students will be broken up into groups using the mystery box.  Each student is to pick 1 piece of paper (with ship names) out of the box and sit with their fellow shipmates.   

 

The first activity is to cut out a black eye patch (circle), tape ribbon on patch, and attach to head like a pirate.

 

The Teacher Librarian will read Kennedy, Kim. (2002). Pirate Pete. New York: Harry N. Abrams aloud to students which include a treasure hunt to refresh students’ memories on the parts of a treasure hunt.

 

 

Body:

OPAC Lesson:  With a project unit, the teacher librarian will demonstrate how to use the OPAC by modeling.  (Use OPAC PowerPoint).


Each group will be given one handout (please see attached).  Each ship/group will work together to solve the clues and collect all the words to the sentence leading them to collect a prize at circulation.  Students will use the OPAC to solve the clues and write down their answers.  Students will appoint a recorder.  Students will be limited to non-fiction books.  Each clue leads to one of the Dewey Decimal numbers which exposes students to the many books that can be found in the non-fiction collection.  During the activity the Teacher Librarian will circulate to help those groups that are struggling.

 

 

Conclusion:

Student will first write down what they liked about the project, what they learned about the library, and a book they would like to read that they found in the treasure hunt on an index card.

 

Students will then volunteer their answers in a discussion format with the Teacher Librarian.  The Teacher Librarian will record the answers on the chalk/dry-erase board.

 

The Teacher Librarian will booktalk some books on Pirates in honor of Talk Like a Pirate Day.  These titles are of varying reading levels.

 

Dubowski, Cathy East. (1996). All Aboard Reading Level 2: Pirate School. New York: Gosset & Dunlap

 

Andreae, Giles. (2006). Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs.

 

McConnell, Sarah. (2006). Don’t Mention Pirates. New York: Barron’s Educational Series.

 

Scieszka, Jon and Lane Smith (2004). Time Warp Trio: The Not So Jolly Roger. New York: Puffin.


Osborne, Mary Pope and Sal Murdocca. (1994). Magic Tree House: Pirates past Noon. New York: Random House Books for Young Readers.

 

Assessment:
Assessment Methods:

Index cards with lessons learned and discussion of said lesson learned.

Students will share their findings at the end of the period, which will alert the teachers to the students' understanding of the task.

Students will complete assigned worksheet in groups and the information will be checked for accuracy prior to receiving a treasure from the treasure chest.

Teacher Librarian will circulate during activity to assess understanding and completion of task.
Sources:
Print this Lesson Plan
Presented By: Heather Turner
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