National Treasure Scavenger Hunt:

(From Holly @ TC)

 

 

Goal: Get teens to use the catalog and online databases to solve a variety of different American History related clues and have fun in the process.  This was borrowed/modified from an idea I found online.

 

Pre-planning: Found books and topics I wanted to use, created the clues and numbered the books with stickers on their covers so they would know when they’d found the ‘right’ book. I tried to send them into all areas of the library, so that they could learn their way around and understand what the call numbers stand for.  I also directed them to do different types of searches to practice using the online catalog with all its variations. I created different ‘puzzle clues’ as well; a rebus to solve (jewel + eye + swinging golfer = July 4), an encryption (Morse code for ‘We the People’), a quote to unscramble, a simple jigsaw with the clue on the back.  I placed the next clue/puzzle in the back of each previous clue’s book, and reshelved them.  I printed out 6 clues that were not connected to a puzzle for starting points.  I created answer worksheets for them to work from, including blank pages for their notes etc.

 

Event:  We gathered in the meeting room, and had them split up into six different teams. After explaining the process of the game and handing out the worksheet packets, we staggered where they started so they were not climbing all over each other, though they ultimately did cross over each other during the game itself.  I gave each team a different ‘first clue’ printout to get them started, and each clue after that was in the book on the shelf.  Snacks were available throughout.

 

What I learned:  The teens were very unfamiliar with how to use our catalog, and were largely ignorant about the existence of the electronic resource databases.  I should have been more specific in my opening explanation of the program, stressing the importance of using the various search limits.  Due to their lack of familiarity with identifying library call-numbers,  none of the teams were able to complete the entire set of clues, even though there was very little ‘goofing off’ going on.  We needed to give more prompting than I thought we would.  Also, 3 of the clue books ‘went missing’ during the game, so I had to print out the appropriate clues for the remaining teams.  Unfortunately, since some of the teams worked faster than others, they did not stay in order, so I was not able to tell which team had hidden the books from the others.  If I had, I would have given that team penalty points.  This fowl-play tainted the program somewhat for me.  However, the program was well received in general by the teens, though there was much grumbling about the ‘no internet’ rule!

 

Clue #1

 

The Revolutionary war- I helped to fight.

The Constitution- I helped to write.

Our country- I agreed to lead.

First president- Admired indeed. Who am I?

 

 

A - George Washington

Do a keyword search in the library catalog to find what he crossed. 

What is the title and call number of the book?

B – “When Washington crossed the Delaware: a wintertime story for young patriots”

J973.332 CHENEY

What day did he cross?

C - December 25, 1776?

 

 

Clue #2

 

Unscramble quote: “He that lieth down with dogs, shall rise up with fleas.”

 

Use the eLibrary database to find out who said this.

A - Ben Franklin.

Use the power search to find a book about this person and his inventions.

What is the call number?

B – “Now and Ben: the modern inventions of Benjamin Franklin”

J  BARRETT

 

Clue #3

 

They were shown a drawing of a jewel + an eye + plus a hand showing four fingers for an answer of July 4th. (or roman numeral: IV)?

 

What national document’s formal declaration was adopted on this day?

A - Declaration of Independence.

What man’s signature has become famous?

B – John Hancock

Do a subject search to locate a book about this man.

What is the call number?

C – JB-HANCOCK KALLEN

 

Clue # 4

 

Which Civil Rights pioneer was assassinated in 1968?

A – Martin Luther King Jr.

Use the Opposing Viewpoints database.  Select the popular topics link for Civil Rights.

Who wrote the article “Civil Rights Act of 1866”?

B – Raymond Arsenault

Do a series search for “American Social Movements” Who is the author and what is the call number of the book that deals with this topic?

C – Nick Treanor YA323.1196 CIVIL R

Find this book on the shelf

 

Clue #5

 

Search the catalog for Let Freedom Ring by Sean Hannity

What is the call number?

A – 306.2097 HANNITY

What is the word on the 6th page, 2nd paragraph, 3rd line and 3rd from the last word in the line?

B- Liberty.

What is the word on the 152nd page, 5th full paragraph, 6th line and last word?

C - Bell.

Search the Three Creeks only catalog for a book on the subject.

What is the title and call number?

D – The Liberty Bell

J974.811 HESS

Where is this thing located?

E - Philadelphia, PA.

 

Clue #6

 

What is called “The Stars & Stripes”?

A – US Flag

Who is given credit for making the first one?

B – Betsy Ross

Use the Biography Resource Center database to search for this person.

Where was she born?

C – Philadelphia, PA

Do an author search in the catalog for Rita D. Haban. What is the title and call number?

D – How Proudly they Wave: flags of the Fifty States J929.92 HABAN

Which 3 states showcase a kind of bear?

E – California, Missouri, Alaska

 

Clue #7

 

Do a Cassette search of the catalog to find out which famous American rose Up From Slavery. Who is it?

A - Booker T. Washington.

Locate the recorded copy for your next clue. What is the call number?

B -  CASSETTE B-WASHING  WASHING

 

Clue #8

 

Jigsaw Puzzle of eagle; clue written on back

What is the United States’ national bird?

A - Bald Eagle.

Search the catalog for a book about the return of this endangered animal.

What is the title and call number?

B - The Bald Eagle Returns J598.943 PATENT

Which bird is the official state bird of 7 different states?

C. Cardinal

 

Clue #9

 

Which American city does not belong to any one of the 50 states, but to all?

A – Washington, DC

Use the states edition of the Culture Grams database. Choose this city.

Which Native American tribe lived there before the European settlers arrived?

B – Powhatan Tribe

Who was their brave, peace-building princess?

C – Pocahontas

Search the Three Creeks catalog for a book about her.  What is the call number?

D - J975.501 HOLLER

 

Clue #10

 

Decode “We the people” Morse code: (.-- . / - .... . / .--. . --- .--. .-.. .)

These are the first three words to what national document?

A - The Constitution.

Do a call number search in the Three Creeks catalog for J342.73 FINKELM.

Who are the author and publisher?

B - Paul Finkelman; National Geographic Society

Scroll further for J342.73 SPIER

What is the title and when was it published?

C – We the People: the Constitution of the United States; 1987

Find this book on the shelf

 

Clue #11

 

Unscramble the 2 word nickname of a famous American landmark. “ABDELLIRTYY”? (Lady Liberty)

Go to the eLibrary database, and search for a photo of her taken on January 1, 1948.

Print this picture.

Find a book about her by Jennifer Fandel. What is the title and call number?

A – The Statue of Liberty J974.71 FANDEL

What is the first line from the famous poem inscribed on her pedestal?

B – “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”

Who designed her?

C – Gustave Eiffel

Which country gave her as a gift to the United States?

D – France

 

Clue #12

 

Using any strategy, translate this quote by the Marquis de Lafayette:

“L’humanite a gange sa bataille, la liberte a maintenant un pays”

A – “Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country.”

Search the Three Creeks catalog for a book on the subject of this man.

What is the title and call number?

B – Why not, Lafayette? JB-LAFAYET FRITZ

 

Clue #13

 

Which president is on the one dollar bill?

A - George Washington.

Also on the bill is a pyramid, where is it located?

B - back, left.

 

The Player's Sheet and a printable version of the clues can be found in the files section of the wiki!