Lesson Plan
Connection Quest Itinerary
Students will engage in a collaborative scavenger hunt to decode seasonal clues, discover school facts, and build teamwork, culminating in personal reflections and a shared celebration.
This lesson sparks curiosity about our school environment, fosters peer collaboration, and helps students build connections at the start of the year while reinforcing critical thinking and reflection skills.
Audience
7th Grade Class
Time
25 minutes
Approach
Interactive seasonal scavenger hunt building connections and teamwork.
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review all slides in Clue Reveal Slides
- Print one Scavenger Map per team
- Set up individual journals or pages for Quest Reflections Journal
- Gather small tokens or prizes for the Treasure Share Cool-Down
- Familiarize yourself with campus locations and clue flow
Step 1
Introduction & Rules
3 minutes
- Welcome students and explain the Connection Quest objectives
- Review rules: stay together, be respectful of spaces, and keep pace
- Organize students into teams of 3–4
Step 2
Scavenger Hunt Activity
15 minutes
- Reveal each clue slide from Clue Reveal Slides
- Teams decode the clue and pinpoint the spot on their Scavenger Map
- At each location, answer a school fact or seasonal question before moving on
- Teams collect a token or mark the location on their map
Step 3
Quest Reflections
5 minutes
- Students return to desks with their Quest Reflections Journal
- Prompt students to write brief responses:
- Which clue was most memorable and why?
- What new fact about our school did you learn?
- How did your team collaborate effectively?
Step 4
Treasure Share Cool-Down
2 minutes
- Each team shares one highlight or insight from their quest
- Distribute tokens or small prizes via the Treasure Share Cool-Down
- Wrap up by celebrating curiosity and teamwork for the year ahead
Slide Deck
Clue 1: Autumn Leaves
[Image: Autumn Leaves]
Clue Phrase:
Lives In Booklike Rooms And Reading Year-round
Instructions: Take the first letter of each word to decode the location name. Once you arrive, answer: “In what year was our school founded?”
Introduce the first clue. Display the slide and encourage teams to examine the phrase and image. Remind them: use the first letters of each word to spell the location.
Clue 2: Pumpkin Patch
[Image: Carved Pumpkin]
Clue Phrase:
Come And Fill Every Tray, Enjoy Real Individual Appetite
Instructions: Use the first letter of each word to reveal the next stop. At that spot, identify today’s lunch special posted on the board.
Move to Clue 2 when teams have decoded Clue 1. Ensure they record their answer before moving on.
Clue 3: Winter Snowflake
[Image: Snowflake Graphic]
Clue Phrase:
Freedom’s Light Always Glows; Positioned On Lofty Elevation
Instructions: The first letters spell your next destination. Once there, look for the plaque and tell the school motto.
After teams finish Clue 2, prompt them to share the lunch special answer. Then unveil Clue 3.
Clue 4: Spring Flower
[Image: Blooming Flower]
Clue Phrase:
Colorful Orchids Under Radiant Tulips, Yearning Around Rustic Designs
Instructions: First letters point to your next location. There, note one plant species growing in our courtyard garden.
Once teams complete Clue 3, confirm the motto and proceed to Clue 4.
Clue 5: Summer Sun
[Image: Bright Sun]
Clue Phrase:
Gather Your Might; Now Ascend Steps In Unison, Multiplying Enthusiasm
Instructions: Spell out the last location with the first letters. At that final spot, find the posted maximum occupancy number.
As teams decode Clue 4, circulate and encourage collaboration. Then reveal the final clue.
Activity
Connection Quest Scavenger Map
Description: A one–page, illustrated map of key school locations for teams to track their progress during the scavenger hunt.
How to Use:
- Each team receives one copy of the Scavenger Map.
- As you decode each clue and visit a location, place a sticker or mark the circle next to that spot.
- Once all five locations are marked, return to class for reflections and cool-down.
Map Details:
| Location | Clue # | Marker |
|---|---|---|
| Library | 1 | ○ |
| Cafeteria | 2 | ○ |
| Principal’s Office | 3 | ○ |
| Courtyard Garden | 4 | ○ |
| Auditorium | 5 | ○ |
Teacher Notes:
- Print one color copy per team; laminate for reuse if desired.
- Encourage neat marking so teams can quickly see progress.
- Use the map as a quick check to ensure no team misses a location.
Journal
Quest Reflections Journal
Use this page to reflect on your Connection Quest experience. Answer each prompt thoughtfully before moving on.
- Which clue was the most memorable and why?
- What new fact about our school did you learn today?
- How did your team collaborate effectively to solve clues? Describe one strategy your group used.
- If you could add a new clue to the quest, what would it be and where on campus would you hide it? Explain your idea.
- Imagine it’s another season—write a short poem or description for a brand-new seasonal clue you would design.
Cool Down
Treasure Share Cool-Down
Purpose: Wrap up the Connection Quest by celebrating highlights and rewarding collaboration.
- Form a Sharing Circle (1 minute)
- Have each team return to a central spot and sit or stand in a circle.
- Team Highlight Share (1 minute)
- Invite one representative from each team to share one of the following:
- A favorite clue or moment from the quest
- One new school fact they discovered
- A teamwork strategy that helped them succeed
- Distribute Rewards (30 seconds)
- As each team shares, hand out a small token, sticker, or prize to recognize their effort.
- Encourage students to cheer for each other as they receive their token.
- Closing Celebration (30 seconds)
- Lead a quick “three cheers” for curiosity and teamwork.
- Congratulate everyone on a successful quest and express excitement for the year ahead.
Materials Needed:
- Small tokens or prizes
- Optional: music or upbeat background track for celebration
Teacher Tip:
- Keep the sharing brief to fit into the 2-minute cool-down.
- Use this moment to reinforce positive collaboration and set a tone of excitement for future lessons.