Foraging Simulation Feedback/Suggestions

I've done it twice with kids, and it works really well.  Yes, it takes 25-ish minutes if you have the prep time to really hide stuff.  If you hide some candy along with non-perishables, that helps keep the focus.  And if you really get into it and have the space, you can hide stuff in close-by areas, middle-range, and far-away -- with the better stuff farther away.  Maybe even a homework pass...  But since the point is that foraging is relatively quick, it shouldn't take a whole class period.

Hi Todd Nussen ! I'm a little late replying to this, but I've found that you can spend as much time as you want with this activity. In past years we have used our courtyard as our foraging location and even combined classes to up the ante. After foraging, we head back to our own classrooms to debrief and the discussion can sometimes last a decent amount of time. 

If you want to use it as an opening activity, Brian Moore shared a virtual adaptation of the simulation which was also fun, but took up less time. If you decide to do it, please let us know how it goes!

Sorry Todd Nussen I missed this post a couple of weeks ago when you made it.  Andrea Wong thank you for tagging me and sharing the virtual activity I adapted. I have used it two years in a row and it has worked out in both the virtual and in class learning environments.  The students get really competitive so it is good to set some ground rules but not too much because the competition and chaos that develops organically reflects what could have happened in the past when people were competing for resources. 

Just like anything else in teaching, I guess it all depends on your students.  I really like the idea of using the courtyard - I have one right outside my room.  My groups this year are too large (and a little too rambunctious) to bring them out since there are a dozen other rooms that surround the courtyard.  I've had groups in the past that would have been better for that.  Thankyou for the idea though, it seems like it could be a lot of fun.  I'm hoping to try it next year (pictures to follow if it happens). 

Thank you Brian.  This looks great.  That's what I love about this community - thanks to you, Ane, and Andrea, I have three different options for next year.  

I realize this thread is a bit older but I think this is super relevant as we get closer to the school year.

Last year was the first that I ran this activity. One thing that I thought was interesting was to debrief the homo sapien behavior that students exhibited. In one class last year, for example, a student started to secretly hoard materials and steal from others between and in between rounds. Rather than scold him for his behavior, the class debriefed where that impulse might come from and how it applies to our every day lives. I think that really made it a learning moment and made the hunter-gatherer a lot more relatable. 

Thanks for bringing me back to the thread.  You nailed it, I'm back in the school and I'm looking to incorporate new resources and activities.  I almost forgot about this one - so thanks.  Also, I totally agree.  What you just described is a teachable moment and what makes the classroom experience interesting. 

Here is the template for the virtual version I created.  I'm going to be running this activity next week. 

https://jamboard.google.com/d/1Rz-RBqEYd3--6yzg3C8bVswti5hQBYrHwDPLeC8cx3E/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks Brian. 

I was looking at the opener in the Foraging section of BHP, and I'm looking to beef it up (pun intended). Has anyone come up with a different way to do this? I see that Brian Moore had a virtual option, but neither link works. Hoping for a share for some inspiration! Todd Nussen Andrea Wong Ane Lintvedt Adam Esrig