Scavenger Hunt...In the Library!

Once my students have followed my classroom procedures on a consistent basis and they trust me enough to know of my expectations both in and out of the classroom, I make an appointment to visit to the happiest place on earth, the library.  I want the kiddos to discover the library's resources, become familiar with the physical space, and meet our friendly librarian!

PREPARATION:  After discussing future projects that might involve classroom and individual student visits to the library, Mrs. G. adapts her scavenger hunt to fit our needs!  Collaboration is one of the most important tools any educator can use; work with those around you.  After all -- you're both there to help the kids!  After the session, one of the benefits for our librarian was that she was able to experience real-time feedback of student interests for future book and novel purchases.


SET THEM LOOSE:  After a quick presentation that consists of a tour of the general layout, the kids break out into pairs with each set starting on a different number on the Library Scavenger Hunt worksheet; this way, we avoid the inevitable traffic jam if they all would have started at number one.

Dragging her feet
in the fiction section

Students discover our fiction, nonfiction, career center, and standardized test prep center. Many don't realize they could find a resource books to help them study for SAT, ACT, and ASVAB tests.

Checking out the
"New Books" section

Of course, the kiddos know about the computers, but many don't know that our library has eLibrary, the "perfect resource for delivering full-text and multimedia reference materials."  Students often report that it makes research less stressful knowing they have access to a legitimate resource instead of crossing their fingers to find a good source when they search Google. They learn that searching through eLibrary is easy to use and accessible at both school and at home!  

As they search for tasks that ask them to find an author's initials that match their own, they also locat the author's name and figur out how to locate publication information in novels, magazines, and newspapers.  They have already learned that they must give the author credit -- thus, avoiding plagiarism!

Discovering that "books"
are more than just novels

CAREER CONNECTION:  Students search the non-fiction section to find a book that they might use in their shop.  All the students need to do is find a book and record the title and author.  This step is always interesting because the kiddos typically go beyond just glancing at the cover to record the answer.  As they hover together rifling through the pages of the book that houses knowledge of their trade, I "catch" them reading.  I actually need to tell them to put the book down and continue on their hunt so they can finish the assignment.

Interestingly enough, when I discuss "reading" with students, many consider novels the only type of reading there is; one of our topics of discussion begins with the question, "What do you read?"  Eventually, we include the following sources as reading:  manuals, textbooks, magazine articles, directions, Facebook posts, blogs, letters, cereal boxes, and the list goes on and on and on...

CLOSING:  Students learn how many books they could check out, how long they could borrow the books, and what late fees they might incur; it is true that IF you "lead a horse to water," he or she might just enjoy a drink!  By the end of the session, most voluntarily check out at least one book and a few leave with an armload.  Whenever this happens, I count the lesson a success.

(First published in a different blog on December 6, 2014)