Scavenger hunts are fun activities to use in math class. They get students up and moving as they learn. Here are some different ways you can use scavenger hunts in the classroom.
Traditional Scavenger Hunt
The traditional scavenger hunt is when you have students walking around the classroom doing problems and searching for answers. Problems are hung up around the room. It is important to space them out so that students can work at the cards and not be crowded.
When starting a scavenger hunt always go over directions first. Start off by telling students how they will record their answers. You can give students a recording sheet or have them use a piece of paper. Emphasize that they need to write the letter or symbol of the card they start with. Knowing where they start will be important when checking answers. You can assign students a card to start with or let them choose. Tell the students that there can only be 2-3 students at a card depending on class size and the number of cards. Students should continue working until they loop back to the problem they started with. Walk around and help students who need it. As students finish, they need to bring their recording sheet to you so you can check it.
Group Scavenger Hunts
Students can complete scavenger hunts in groups. Put students in groups of 3 or 4. Give each group of students the scavenger hunt cards. Make sure they are not in order. You can have students choose the card they want to start with, or you can tell them the card to start with. Instead of walking around students look through the cards to find the answer and figure out which one to do next. They continue until they get back to the card they started with.
This method for a scavenger hunt is good to use when you have a class who may not be able to handle the freedom of moving around the room. Using this method can also give extra support to students who may need it. Check out our scavenger hunts by clicking below.
Individual Scavenger Hunts
Students can be assigned a scavenger hunt to do individually. The process is the same except they work alone. It is good independent practice. Students will be able to check their work and redo the problem if they cannot find the answer. Scavenger hunts can also be used for a quiz or in a station.
Conclusion
As you can see scavenger hunts can be used in different ways in the classroom. They are great activities to do in your math class. Click below for a free scavenger hunt and digital scavenger hunt to try in your classroom today.
