Educator's Guide: Social Studies: Searching for Answers

Background:

This scavenger hunt will introduce students to life in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War. The answers to the questions are in the museum or on the gunboat. It will require the students to read the signs and observe the artifacts.

Method:

Before the field trip, the teacher will:

1. Introduce background information on the Civil War.
2. Group students into teams of two or three for younger students, older students can work alone.
3. Reproduce and distribute Searching for Answers Activity Sheet.
4. Explain Gunboat and Museum rules.

If you are bringing more than 35 students, the group will need to be divided into two groups. One group works inside the museum, one group on the gunboat. If your class size is more than 100 only fifty at a time are allowed in the museum.

• No food, drink,or smoking allowed on the boat or in the museum.
• No climbing on walls, cannons or handrails.
• Groups must be accompanied by adults at all times.
• There is to be no talking above a whisper in the museum.
• No running in the museum or on the boat. Please note, the museum and gunboat area are small and often crowded with visitors. These rules are to protect your students and the artifacts.

Classroom Activities:

• Language Arts
• Social Studies

Grades:

• 5 - 12

Objectives:

While visiting the U.S.S. CAIRO Gunboat and Museum, students will identify persons, places and artifacts related to the City Class Ironclads.

Materials:

Searching for Answers Activity Sheet, pen or pencils.

• Searching for Answers - Gunboat Hunt
• Searching for Answers - Museum Hunt
• Searching for Answers - Key