Andrew Jackson GooseChase: Digital Scavenger Hunt

In a classroom with many different learning styles and needs, GooseChase is one of the most exciting, engaging ways to differentiate for all students. They are able to choose from 35 missions with different difficulty levels and point values to compete in a digital scavenger hunt related to the life and presidency of Andrew Jackson. Students submit their completed tasks by taking pictures or videos through the GooseChase app on a mobile phone or tablet. 

Challenges are related to:

From the Frontier to the White House

Inauguration of Andrew Jackson

Jackson's Approach to Governing

The Nullification Crisis

Jackson Battles the Bank of the United States

Jackson's Indian Policy

With this activity, students have so much fun, they forget they are working hard! Some of the challenges include analyzing a spoils system political cartoon, creating a Google Tour Builder tour of events from Jackson's life, designing a comic strip illustrating the bank battle, and writing a journal entry from the Trail of Tears. Students may also choose to create an ESPN introduction of Jackson's "starting line-up" in his kitchen cabinet, performing a song the Bank of the U.S. could sing as it was slowly being starved to death, and recording Andrew Jackson defending his choice to support the Force Bill. These are just some of the 35 possible activities students can choose from to show their understanding of Jackson's life and presidency.

With 35 different challenges to choose from, the needs of all students will be met. And they definitely get excited for the competition.

Included with this product:

* Detailed instructions for how to sign up for a free teacher account on GooseChase, create a game, and run the game with your students.

* 35 missions that you can choose from when creating your game.

* Clear student directions for signing into and participating in the game.

GooseChase offers a free account that allows you to run one game at a time with five teams. There is also an option to purchase an educator's account which allows you to run numerous games at once with more teams.

GooseChase is one of the my students' favorite activities. I have used it in the classroom to review material as well as a way for students to learn new information. We have also used GooseChase during class field trips. My principal has even used GooseChase for staff development. I cannot recommend any program more than GooseChase; it is definitely a staff and student favorite! A teacher who purchased a different GooseChase product even commented, "Wow!! What have I been missing with this website/app?? This activity led me to discover a new platform I can integrate into my classroom!"

If you purchase this product, you probably won't be able to get the game fully setup within just one planning period. It might take a little longer than that. However, once it is setup, you will probably run the game for at least a week, if not longer. Additionally, the first time using GooseChase always takes a little longer, but after that, it is very easy to get going!

Although this scavenger hunt has been designed for GooseChase, it could be very easily used without using the program. You could choose to have the students submit the assignments directly to you, instead of through the application.