Monday, March 18, 2013

Non-Fiction Scavenger Hunt

Hi friends!

Today was our first day back from Spring Break. We started the day off with a fun Non-Fiction Scavenger Hunt in first grade!


I created this set of 24 Non-Fiction Scavenger Hunt cards with Dewey numbers (whole numbers only, no decimals) for popular categories, with word descriptions and pictures.


I copied two sets of these onto colored card stock and laminated them (of course). Then I put one set on the non-fiction shelves, in the correct spot for that Dewey number. I handed the other set out to our first graders who worked in groups of four to find the matching cards on the shelves.


(I think that next time I'll have them work in pairs. Groups of four were a bit unwieldy. But I knew some of our firsties would struggle if they had to work alone.)

I had students bring the matching cards back to their group's table. Instead, you could have them find a matching book and bring it back to the table. We didn't have time for that today.

After they completed the scavenger hunt, each student checked out a non-fiction book as one of their two check-outs for the week. They were enthusiastic about the books that they saw as they were searching for their cards during the scavenger hunt!

It took me hours to decide on the most popular and well-stocked Dewey categories,  find cute graphics, and create the cards. So I put this card set in my TPT shop so that you can save yourself the trouble, if you decide to do this activity.

I think it would be a good project for second or third grade as well.

I hope your week is off to a GREAT start!


8 comments:

  1. Wow....that is a great idea to introduce NF to the lower grades. Thank you!!

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    1. You're welcome! We had a lot of fun with it!
      Thanks for your comment, Bibliocat.
      Cari

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    2. Love it! I do something similar, but a bit more challenging for 4th-5th graders using QR Codes. I like your idea for making it simpler for the younger grades.

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    3. Thanks, Jo! The younger ones feel empowered when they know their way (somewhat) around the non-fiction section!
      Cari

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  2. Once again, HOMERUN! (We played our first baseball game today.) Love the idea, Cari

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    1. Thanks, Sara! I love it when learning is fun, like a scavenger hunt!
      Cari

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  3. Love this idea. I've been introducing the nonfiction call numbers to my 2nd & 3rd graders in a similar way, but I simply wrote the call number and subject on the back of old catalog cards and had students find the book. I work with the whole class, so I first read The Library Gingerbread Boy, explained the activity and had them work in pairs.

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    1. Sheryl,
      I love your idea of adding the read-aloud to start off the activity. Thanks for your comment!
      Cari

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