Scavenger Hunt: Math Fun using the iPod touch

I created a scavenger hunt for my PE students called Math Fun I created 7 clues with corresponding "treasure spots" where I left 7 markers each with a letter on them in every spot. Students worked in teams of 2-4 and used iPods to listen to 7 different pre-recorded audio tracks where I described a math problem and directions to where each "treasure" was hidden. (GarageBand was used to record the scavenger hunt clues ahead of time and iTunes was used to sync the scavenger hunt to the iPods.) When teams found all 7 "treasures" their final task was to unscramble the letters into the key word.

There were many skills practiced during this activity including: collaboration, communication, problem solving, math, geography (knowing North, South, East, West) Students got a great aerobic workout running all over the school grounds trying to be the first team to get all 7 letters and unscramble them to spell the right word. All teams were given something for their efforts, winning teams were rewarded with small prizes. Students were engaged and extremely excited about this activity. The use of the iPod touch brought a high level of excitement to our digital native students of today.


Video

Variations:

You are only limited to your imagination when it comes to creating clues to best fit your school grounds or surrounding area. Public parks and play grounds would be great places to create activities such as this.

You could also find other ways to give clues. Put them on a laminated paper, CD, or tape. Could incorporate pedometers too into the math portion when the students are walking around looking for the clues.

Teaching Suggestions/Tips:

Be sure students are aware of their directions, North, South, East, West. Be sure they are given a crash course in the use of the device you will give them to listen to the clues to the scavenger hunt on. Remind students not to take a clue from a hiding place if they have not solved the clue. They will get mixed up as to which clues they have listened to and which ones they have not. For example if one team sees another team find a clue and they chose to just "pick it up" they will not be sure which clue it was on the description of clues located on the i pod touches.

Any question or if you would like to listen to the scavenger hunt let me know at kmorrow@esu8.org.

Adaptations for Students with Disabilities:

Students with disabilities were paired with other students to participate in the activity.

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