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Read Thread: Letterboxing as a class activity?

Letterboxing as a class activity?
Board: Faculty Room
Feb 2, 2015 9:23am
Thread (disabled) Board
Hi everyone. I would love your thoughts on letterboxing as a class activity. I teach college freshman biology. We usually have one lab activity which is really just a walk on the trails that no one knows are on campus.

I wanted to do more than just take them for a walk. I thought it would be fun to do a very simple series for them. But I'm trying to figure out how large. The lab period is 2.5 hours, but I'd be evil to expect that much hiking from them. For some, this hike is the first hike they've ever taken. That kinda bums me out.

I was thinking 4 boxes over about 1.5 miles. Is that too much? I want it to be a packet. It would include information about the campus and local flora and fauna. The clues would obviously be simple.

Any thoughts?
Re: Letterboxing as a class activity?
Board: Faculty Room
Reply to: #886814 by Kimoppi
Feb 2, 2015 9:28am
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I think it sounds like fun.
Re: Letterboxing as a class activity?
Board: Faculty Room
Reply to: #886814 by Kimoppi
Feb 2, 2015 9:46am
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I actually planned a letterboxing hike as one of 4 options 5th grade students could do at the end of a week learning at our local zoo. There is a wonderful nature area there and it was thoroughly enjoyable. I had 6 students and that was plenty. The biggest difference between our teaching groups would be the age. My students were so excited and enamored by it that they all wanted to "be the first" to do everything. So I would definitely limit the size of the group if I did this again.

How do you have it organized for them? Small groups? One large group? I would definitely think that part of it through.

It made the nature walk so much more fun for my students. I love the idea and the fact that it might actually make a few "grab hold" to the hobby.
Re: Letterboxing as a class activity?
Board: Faculty Room
Reply to: #886814 by Kimoppi
Feb 2, 2015 10:09am
Thread (disabled) Board
Sounds fun.
The clue could be a description of the plant that they might have learned, and then they have to find one in a certain area on the trail to find the box that holds a stamp of the same plant.

Instead of stamping, the box could have a ltc style card with the plant stamped on front, or a picture of it, with the details on the back that they would have to know for a test, one for each student. You could place more boxes that way and there wouldn't be time wasted for everyone to stamp in.

Maybe have a discussion about the plants they are looking at and have them make observations as well. Participation will keep them from getting bored (speaking from experience) and hopefully enjoy the walk more and most importantly, remember what they have learned.
Re: Letterboxing as a class activity?
Board: Faculty Room
Reply to: #886832 by photopam
Feb 2, 2015 10:46am
Thread (disabled) Board
Although, if doing ltc style; I'd have them sign into the box, too for credit.

Maybe offer a bonus for extra credit? :-)
I wouldn't necessarily incorporate the fact that this is called letterboxing; I feel that to properly protect others boxes there needs to be more conversation on stealth and respect than might make sense in a biology classroom. But those who enjoy the hunt might look more into it and learn a new hobby. Those who wouldn't respect the hobby would just have fun on the hunt (or not, depending) and move on. :-)
Re: Letterboxing as a class activity?
Board: Faculty Room
Reply to: #886821 by Angel Winks
Feb 2, 2015 10:48am
Thread (disabled) Board
I was planning small groups of 2-4 depending on the class size. I emailed our course coordinator to see if he'd prefer that I keep them in a large group, or let me break them up. If he prefers a larger group, I planned to put each group in charge of finding one box. Group 1 gets us to box 1. Group 2 would then get us to box 2.

Personally, I'd love to let them be small independent groups.
Re: Letterboxing as a class activity?
Board: Faculty Room
Reply to: #886838 by Uncorny Acorns
Feb 2, 2015 10:55am
Thread (disabled) Board
I was a bit worried about actually talking about letterboxing. I may refer to it as a campus scavenger hunt using stamps to confirm they found it.

If any students seem to really enjoy the activity, I'll tell them individually about letterboxing.