Shamrock Scavenger Hunt

                                 

Holidays in the classroom--the struggle is real.  The excitement level is usually at an 11 and your anxiety level is at a 12 because you know you should be having fun with your class, but you're also about twenty days behind on your pacing guide.  

So how do you create balance?

Integration to the rescue!  Today we're integrating math with technology and holiday fun!

Have a Shamrock Search this St. Paddy's Day!  Note: This search does not involve leaving your class and searching for Guinness (although, that would probably be the most fun).

So how's it work, you ask?  Check out the simple steps below:

5 Simple Steps for a Shamrock Search:

1.  To Use Technology or Not to Use Technology:

     At the time I tried this activity, I was in a 1:1 classroom.  Maybe you are, or maybe you have access to some sort of QR Code reader for each of your students.  If so, create QR codes for math problems of your choosing. 

     Use this handy, dandy QR Code creator:  QR Code Creator  This site is one of my favorites because if you're just using text, you don't have to worry about storage.  Just type and copy your code.

     No access to QR Code readers?  No worries!  You can always just print or write a few of your favorite math problems.  

A Beautiful Shamrock

2.  Slap Together Your Shamrocks

     I cut out some shamrocks from green paper and then glued my QR codes to them. You may be way more crafty then me and make some beautiful shamrocks.  Or, you may be less crafty then me and you can use my template found here:  Printable Shamrocks

3.  Hide Your Shamrocks

A sneakily hidden shamrock

     Tape your shamrocks in different locations around the room.  Think through the flow.  Your class will be roaming around trying to find them, so you probably want to put them in easy-ish access, where groups of kids will not be throwing each other down and climbing on each other to get to the shamrocks first.  You know this will happen.

4. Build Excitement

    I like telling my 2nd graders a little story about how Lucky the Leprechaun has snuck into our classroom and hid some shamrocks.  He needs help solving the math problems on them, and he knows that the students in our class are so great at math that he came to us first.  Needless to say, that's all it takes to get them hooked.  I have a feeling it would work just as well with the 5th graders I use to teach.  Maybe even some 30 year olds I know.  Who doesn't appreciate a good compliment from a leprechaun? 

5.  Set Shamrock Expectations

    If you set your class free at this point, there will be trampling and a few calls to the nurse.  Avoid that by laying down the law and being a little proactive.  Let your class know that if they ran, they'll have to sit out.  If they shout, they'll sit out.  If they shove anyone, they'll to sit out.  They know this is fair.  

     Before the lesson, make a few worksheet copies of the problems from your shamrocks.  That was, if a kid gets too out of control, make them sit at their desk and solve the problems on their own.  If you have a whole class that can get out of control quickly, make more copies.  I've found that making a whole class sit out once or twice makes fun learning activities a choice for them.  Eventually, they'll rise to the occasion.  Well, most of them.  Hopefully.

Can't get any easier, right?  Actually, it can!  Check out my already created Shamrock Search on TpT!  Just cut out your shamrocks and go.  Includes 2-digit addition and subtraction word problems (with regrouping).  Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!  Now go find that Guinness!