American Revolution GPS Treasure Hunt

Summary

Students will learn how to use a GPS, searching for clues that relate to the American Revolution. Once students have an understanding of how to use the GPS, they will be given coordinates to find. At each coordinate students will find an object or picture. All the pieces will be pieced together to introduce the American Revolution

Materials

GPS Objects that are symbolic of the American Revolution: tea bag, stamp, playing cards, sugar, British Flag, picture of the Boston Massacre, picture of G. Washington crossing the Delaware River, small drum, Declaration of Independence, model musket, etc. You will also need tupperware to put the objects in.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will use symbolic objects, as well as question and answer clues to gain pior knowledge about the events of the American Revolution. They will also gain important geographic skills through use of the GPS.

Instructional Procedures

This is a two day lesson plan. Day 1: Students learn the how to use the GPS, by toggling through the GPS and exploring the different tools involved. Students then enter two or three set coordinates in class. The teachers should check to make sure all students know how to enter coordinates correctly. In groups of 2 or 3, students then go outside and find the set coordinates. This gives them a day to practice how to use the GPS appropriately. Day 2: Students are assigned to groups of 2 or 3 maximum. Students receive a worksheet that has a list of 10 coordinates and clues. Each individual coordinate should be staggered, so that all the students are not going to the same coordinate. When students arrive at each coordinate they examine the object/picture at that location and then log an answer to the question related to this object. Once students finish all ten coordinates they must make an inference about how all the objects fit together and relate to the American Revolution.

Assessment Plan

Students will be assessed by correct completion of their Treasure Hunt log. Understanding how each object fits together is another way to assess students. An extension to this activity includes having students research each object, and create a timeline of events of the American Revolution and how each object fits into this war.