Lesson 1: Introducing your Students to Questing
Take Your Students on a Quest
Ideally, before you initiate making a Quest, you should take students on a Quest to give them a sense of: (a) what a Quest is; and (b) the two fundamental types of clues, "clues that teach" and "clues that move" visitors from one site to another.
In the best case, you'd take a field trip and embark on one of the following 3 Quests.
- The Fearless Fighters Quest, Woodstock, VT
Created by: Woodstock Elementary School 4th Grade
- Hartford in the Civil War: A Driving Tour Quest, Hartford, VT
Created by: Hartford Middle School students
- The West Cemetery Civil War Quest, Keene, NH
Created by: Antioch New England Graduate students
If that is not possible, copy the text for the Virtual Quest and have students read through this Quest as they embark on the VIRTUAL QUEST.
As you move through the Quest, ask students to consider which clues are "moving" and which clues are "teaching." Also, at the teaching clues invite them to consider "How do they know this?" and discuss the kinds of resources that might help one learn about life 150 years ago.
At the end of the Quest, encourage students to discuss the quality of the Quest: Was it successful in getting them from place to place? Was the information they learned interesting and worthwhile? Was the experience fun?
Most important is for students to understand the key components of a Quest. If they have a clear sense of the goal when they start the unit, students will take on the activities with a greater sense of clarity and purpose.
If you use the VIRTUAL QUEST, you might follow up by showing them the ANNOTATED QUEST, so they see the relationship between the clues and the resources.
Call or email the Vital Communities office for guidance in arranging a Valley Quest field trip (802)-291-9100 ext 102 or steve@vitalcommunities.org.
© 2007 Vital Communities