Lesson Title:	Outdoor Observations: Scavenger hunting in the life science class.
Grade(s):	6-8
Prepared by:	Jan Baggett, Villa Rica Middle School
Appropriate Science Areas:	Life Science
Lesson Objective:	To observe carefully and apply knowledge about organisms.
Georgia QCC Standards:	Grades 6, 7 & 8 • Scientific Inquiry Process: Uses process skills of observing, classifying, communicating, measuring, predicting, inferring, identifying, and manipulating variables. Also uses recording, analyzing, and operationally defining, formulating models, experimenting, constructing hypotheses and drawing conclusions. • Reference Skills: Selects and uses multiple types of print and nonprint sources for information on science concepts.
Background:	These activities are designed to be culminating activities following an instructional unit on the topic, but may be used as the teacher desires for the maximum effect.
Materials:	• Area containing the proper elements for the chosen “hunt” • bags • Copies of scavenger hunt.
Preparation Time:	Time to locate area
Teaching Time:	45+ minutes
Procedures:	1. Visit the selected site early and plan for the hunt. Check for any safety problems and mark any areas needed. 2. Group students and instruct them about their limits in the area. 3. Be sure they know the procedures: Do you want them to show you each item they find or wait until part/all of the items are checked off? What signal will you use to call the class together when it’s time to share? How much time is allotted for the hunt? 4. Pass out scavenger hunt lists and allow them to hunt. 5. Once the allotted time is up, the class meets up to share what’s been found.
Key Questions:
Student Evaluation:	Observe carefully to see that students are actually finding the items. Inexpensive cameras could be used to record data. Students could record in journals or use a mural to show mastery. Have the items pointed out by students before leaving the area Another possibility is a paragraph relating two of the items found that day.
Helpful Hints:	Consider rewards for the winner and a buddy system.
Related Activities:
Suggested Extensions into Other Curriculum Areas:

Insect Scavenger Hunt

Prepared by Jan Baggett

Name(s):____________________________________________________

Find and check off on this sheet- be prepared to show the teacher.

An example of camouflage

An arachnid

A butterfly

A spider’s egg case

A beetle

An insect pupa

A dragonfly

A dirt dauber’s nest

A termite home

An ant home

An exoskeleton

An ant-lion’s cavity

A wooly-bear caterpillar (in fall, fuzzy black with a reddish band on the middle)

Evidence of the use of pheromones

Social behavior

Signs of insect communication

Some trash- Put it in your bag!

Animal Behavior Scavenger Hunt

Prepared by Jan Baggett

Name(s):____________________________________________

Find and check of on this sheet- Be prepared to show the teacher!

Tracks- Can you name the animal? ________________

Scats- “ “ “ “ “_________________

Animal trails- Name? _________________

An animal home or hideout

Animal diggings/ tunneling

Animal signs- chewing, claw marks, scrapings

Constructed nest? ____________________

Disturbed vegetation

Food remains or caches

Any other sign of an animal- List below

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Plant Scavenger Hunt

Prepared by Jan Baggett

Name(s):____________________________________________

Find these and check off on this sheet - Be prepared to show the teacher.

Plant seeds

Roots visible above the ground

Green stems

Brown stems

Poison ivy

A stem with thorns

Climbing stems

Evidence of parasitism on a plant

Evidence of plant decomposition

A plant under insect attack

A flower

Compound leaves

A simple leaf

Leaves with teeth

Fruit

Lichen on a plant

Moss on a plant

Trees Scavenger Hunt

Prepared by Jan Baggett

Name(s):____________________________________________

Find these and check off on this sheet- Be prepared to show the teacher!

An acorn Bark with narrow ridges

A flower Exposed roots

A cone An evergreen

A prickly fruit A deciduous tree

Seed pods

A compound leaf

A simple leaf

Short needles

Long needles

Heart-shaped leaves

Scale-like leaves

Narrow leaves

Lichen on a tree

Corky bark

Scaly bark

Peeling bark

Bark with large “plates”

Smooth bark

Seed Find

Prepared by Jan Baggett

Name(s):____________________________________________

Tape seeds to the paper in their category:

Helicopters Hitchhikers

Maples Burdocks

Elms Cockleburs

Ashes Beggar’s Ticks

Parachutists Delectables

Dandelions Apples

Milkweeds Cherries

Thistles Berries

Floaters Missles

Coconuts, Etc. Jewelweeds

Cranberries Witch hazels

Lotuses Wood sorrels

General Scavenger Hunt

Prepared by Jan Baggett

Name(s):____________________________________________

Find these and check off on this sheet - Be prepared to show the teacher.

Fungi

A producer

A consumer

A decomposer

An herbivore

A carnivore

A plant with bilateral symmetry

An insect/animal with bilateral symmetry

Earthworm castings

A predator

A fern

Fur

Feather

Bones

A bird call (listen)

An underground home

Evidence of pollution