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ParkWise
> Teachers >
Treasures
> National
Parks Treasure Hunt > Unit Outline
Activity
1:
Hunt for Treasure
Students
will explore the concepts of "treasure" and "value" by
communicating items they treasure in their own lives.
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Unit:
National Parks Treasure
Hunt
Guiding Questions: What
is a treasure and what makes something valuable? What do you
treasure in your own lives?
Critical Content: Express
own ideas, follow directions, listen for specific information
Grades: 3-6
Duration: 1 - 1.5
hours (30 minutes on creating project, 30-45 minutes discussion)
Group size: Whole
class; may be adapted to small group work
Setting: Classroom
Materials: Project
supplies such as paper, scissors, glue, magazines, writing
supplies, drawing supplies. It is at the discretion of the
teacher as to how open you would like to make the project.
Students may have a wide variety of choices in how to express
their idea of "treasure" or the teacher may focus on one type
of project such as making a collage. Optional:
Wall or display space to create a mini-museum.
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Procedures:
- Opening discussion
(3-5 minutes). What comes to mind when you hear the word "treasure"?
The word "value"?
- Each student will
create a representation of what "treasure" means to him or her.
They may draw, write a description, or create a collage.
- Students will buddy
up and share their project with each other for 2 minutes each.
Teacher will give the signal to switch and students will find
a new buddy with whom to share their project.
- Class will come together
and some students will share their projects with the entire class.
- Optional:
You may want to display everyone's project by creating a mini-museum
of the class treasures. This will lead into the following activity
that focuses on the concept of "museum".
Discussion Questions: You
may want to break into smaller groups to have initial discussions
on the following questions. Then come together as a class to share
ideas and discuss more in-depth. After your class comes to a consensus
on the definitions, create a sign with the class definitions of the
terms "value" and "treasure" and add to your mini-museum.
- What comes
to mind when you first hear the word "treasure"?
- If
you had to choose just three things (not people) that you could
keep forever, what would they be? Why?
- What
does it mean to "value" something? Are there things that we can
value that are not tangible items? Give examples. Can we value
people? Can we value places? Can we value ideas or principles?
- What
makes something or someone valuable?
- Create
a working definition for the terms "value" and "treasure."
Adaptations:
Have photos of various
items posted on the wall. These could include photos of cars, toys,
people, pets, wildlife, places, etc. Ask students which items they
may consider to be "treasure" and to describe why. You may also
want students to page through magazines to initially collect the
photos and then have the conversation.
Extensions: Students
can journal about a special treasure in their lives and share with
a partner. What makes that item special? How or where do they keep
that item? What thoughts are elicited when you see that treasure?
Can you put a monetary value on that treasure? How much and how
did your decide?
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