In this lesson plan, students will be given a list of questions, the answers to which can be found by searching the TIDES website. This introductory lesson will familiarize students with the site and demonstrate to them the wealth of information available on it.

Created by Amy Simmons, July 2007

• Students will demonstrate basic understanding of a computer and the ability to use the internet. TEKS §113.23. Social Studies, Grade 7. 21(A)
• Students will use the internet to seek answers to given questions. TEKS §113.23. Social Studies, Grade 7. 13(C)
• Students will evaluate the validity of the TIDES site.  TEKS §110.23. English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 7. 21(G)
• Students will create a website scavenger hunt.  TEKS §110.23. English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 7. 13(A)

Introduce students to the TIDES website by showing them the different components of the site. Be sure to include all parts used in scavenger hunt. Show each participating partner inside the database (i.e. East Texas Research Center).

Have students complete the worksheet. This can be individually or in pairs.

Once students have completed the worksheet, go over it together. Answer any questions the students may have and make sure everyone understands how to use the site.

Have students create their own TIDES scavenger hunt for you or your class. This can have as many items as you want, though limiting the students to five items at a time has proved effective.

Evaluate how well each student navigated through the site.  Also, evaluate the scavenger hunt each student created based on whether or not they followed instructions and how well the teacher and/or other students were able to locate their items.

TIDES Scavenger Hunt Worksheet TIDES database TIDES Texas timeline