Educaching in the Primary Grades

Recently, a fellow educator inquired about how to best begin caching with her 1st graders. First off, let me say, what a bold teacher! Having mostly taught caching with 4th and 5th graders, but having also taught K-5, I admire anyone who wants to put this great learning technology into their younger students' hands!

So, if that describes you...hang in there and do your research! Here are a few ideas to get you started: 

The best thing to do with primary students is to first acquaint them with the GPS receivers, cache containers, and how to do a basic search for a cache container. From there, you can build on what they know and adapt practically everything in your curriculum to meet student needs and take them on hunts.

If you have the Educaching curriculum, you can familiarize your young students with how to begin by going through the Try This First! lessons beginning on page 13 of the manual. GPS Club is also a great way to springboard into Educaching with your students. It is a great introductory set of activities, is objective-based, and even includes a pre/post test.

I found some other discussions/resources online that may also help (listed below) or you can always search this blog.

1. Geocaching for First Graders on the Groundspeak Forums

2. Here's a helpful powerpoint slideshow that gives ideas for primary and upper grades.

3. An article on connecting Geocaching to literature...could be done by pairing your primary students with older children or by having adults help.

4. How to teach Mapping and Orienteering to young children

5. Here's a wiki that shows pictures of primary students caching, what they found, and what they did with those things back in the classroom.

If you have other great resources to teach caching to young students, post a comment here!

Keep 'em Caching,

Jason and The Educaching Team

STEMlandia! The Nature's Apprentice Geocaching Adventure

So if you are in the Boston area over the next month or so, you have to check out this Geocaching Labs event! It is a chance to explore an arboretum while geocaching and better understanding the importance of S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Even if you cannot attend, be sure to follow the link and check out the geocaching passport below, as they are sure to give you ideas for interesting S.T.E.M.-related hunts you could create in your own school's area!
Enjoy,
Jason and The Educaching Team