RIDDLING
THROUGH
LOCAL HISTORY
MONTGOMERY
SCAVENGER
HUNT
Brenda Beaven, Larry Buss, Allison Faiola,
Pegi Morgan, Cathy Oliver
Due Date:
Friday, April 25, 2014
Dear parents and students,
During the next few months, your child will be asked to learn more
about our hometown, Montgomery, Texas. We believe this is a fun,
creative, and valuable lesson for all. All seventh grade students
participate in this trip to the past. Many students and parents are
unaware of our town’s interesting history. They will become part of a
photographic Scavenger Hunt which can be done individually or in a
group of two. This will necessitate parent involvement as a taxi service
which we are sure you already know a lot about. In all cases a parent
must accompany all students. The Scavenger Hunt is a list of clues that
will lead the students to a specific place. An extra 5 points will be given
for period dress between 1850 and 1900. You may also dress according
to any storyline associated with your project for the extra points.
(Martians landing, pirates, etc.) At each location a picture or pictures
must be taken that include the students. Historical information about
each clue is a part of the answer. ACCELERATED STUDENTS MUST
HAVE A STORYLINE, AND THEIR HISTORICAL INFORMATION MUST BE
INTEGRATED INTO THE STORY. Students must present their
information in an interesting format. Creativity, neatness, and hard work
are all obvious and will count.
Students, while on the Scavenger Hunt, please remember to be on your
best behavior.
 Use “yes Ma’am” and “no Sir” when talking to adults
 DO NOT go into any yard. TAKE PICTURES FROM THE STREET.
This is extremely important.
 Be sure that you ask the questions. Don’t make this into your
parent’s project.
Suggestions for presentations
1. Scrapbook
2. PowerPoint
3. Movie with a written script
4. Quilt
5. Trunk
6. Other original ideas
Students may work individually or in a group on the project. If you
choose to work in a group (only 2 to a group) any student may work with
Mrs. Oliver’s or Mrs. Faiola’s Pre-AP students, but you must fulfill the
same requirements. Other than that exception, Mrs. Beaven’s students
may work only with other students from Mrs. Beaven’s class, Coach
Buss’ students may work only with other students from Coach Buss’
class, Mrs. Morgan’s students may work only with Mrs. Morgan’s
students, and Mrs. Faiola’s students may work only with other students
from Mrs. Faiola’s class.
All Pre-AP students are required to answer 12 riddles, include a
storyline, and conduct and record (visually, orally, or written) an
interview with someone who has lived in the Montgomery area for over
or close to twenty years. Other Texas History students are required to
answer 12 riddles, and they do not have to do an interview or storyline.
The interview is an option that each regular student may choose to do or
not to do. Beginning this year, all students will need a Bibliography
page to cite the source of their information for each clue. Accelerated
students will receive 5 test grades (3 for the project, 1 for the interview,
and 1 for their presentation) for this project and others will receive 3 test
grades (2 for the project and 1 for their presentation) unless they do the
interview.
**Early completion credit! If you turn your project at any time
before March 31st you will earn an additional 100 major grade for
the 4th or 5th six weeks. Scavenger Hunt project grade will still
count for the 6th six weeks.**
We know that some of you are wondering how you will ever find the
time to do this with your child. Remember, in just a few short years, they
will be in High School and won’t need your help so much. Parents,
please approach this with a great attitude. Make this fun for both you
and your child. Historic Montgomery has some great restaurants and
two beautiful parks. In addition, our quaint little shops have Christmas
decorations and many other items. This is a great chance for the whole
family to learn about the history of our hometown.
On Saturday, December 14th, many of the houses and buildings will be
open to the public during the 36th Annual Candlelight Home Tour from 4
to 8 p.m. There will be members of the Montgomery Co. Historical
Commission’s Youth Advisory Board at many of the Scavenger Hunt
locations with some great information to help you on your hunt. This is
an excellent opportunity to see the inside of some of the homes and take
many of your pictures. Seventh grade students will be admitted free
with their clues packet, but adults must pay the admission price. Adults
may receive a complimentary ticket by furnishing several dozen
homemade Christmas cookies to the Cookie Walk. Information will be
sent home with students in December with more information on
donating cookies and receiving a ticket. Students must have at least one
adult with them for the tour. The Historic Home Tour is NOT a
requirement.
Thank you,
Brenda Beaven, Larry Buss, Allison Faiola, Pegi Morgan, Cathy Oliver
Should you have any questions, you may direct them to your child’s
teacher or to Brenda Beaven (bbeaven@misd.org).
**Please return the acknowledgement form at the back of this
packet with your child to school by Monday, December 9, 2013
Montgomery Scavenger Hunt
Open House
When: Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Where: MJH Cafeteria
Time: 6:30-7:30 (come and go)
This is an opportunity for parents and students to
look at examples of the different types of
Scavenger Hunt projects and get ideas for the
completion of the project. This is completely
optional, but we hope this will help first time
hunters with some guidance in completing their
project.
Putting Together your Project
1. Cover page (needs to include)
a. Title
b. Your name
c. Teacher’s name
d. Date
2. Table of Contents
a. needs to list each item by page number
b. please remember to number each page of your project
3. History of the Town of Montgomery
a. This will be a one page summary and analysis of the settlement of
Montgomery. There are two different versions of the settlement of
Montgomery; one is based on the oral history that has been passed down and
another version that is based on research by Kameron Searle. You will need
to include both histories and your opinion and explanation on which history
you believe to be true. Good information can be found at
www.montgomerytexas.com/history/ and www.texashistorypage.com.
4. Scavenger Hunt Clue Pages (each clue should include)
a. One to two pages dedicated to each clue
b. Riddle
c. Answer
d. Picture(s) of you at the location
i. Students should be in at least one pictures
e. Two paragraphs of information about the clue
i. Information needs to be in the student’s own words. This should not be
word for word from any source, and a picture of the marker does not
qualify as the history of the location
f. Decorate the page
g. Storyline for accelerated students.
5. Interview (Mandatory for Accelerated Students)
6. Thank You Note *If you do an interview you are required to include an additional
thank you note* (We will mail the letters, please turn them in with your project.)
a. A thank you note in a sealed, addressed, and stamped envelope
i. Please make sure the thank you letter is neat and properly addressed,
including a return address
b. A copy of your thank you note included as a page in your project
7. Bibliography Page
Scavenger Hunt
Acknowledgement
Form
** Please return this form by Monday, December 9th for a 100 quiz grade. **
If you would like to make us aware of any special circumstances that
would affect your child’s completion of the project, please do so now.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
By signing this form you acknowledge that you have read over this
packet and are aware of the Scavenger Hunt project.
Parent Signature:______________________________________
Student Signature:_____________________________________
Scavenger Hunt is Due: Friday, April 25th, 2014
Bibliography Information
For each clue you will need to cite your source(s) of
information. As more and more information is becoming
available on the internet as well as students creating blogs and
websites as their Scavenger Hunt project, we have seen many
more instances of plagiarism. Plagiarism is taking someone
else’s words or ideas and using them as your own. Plagiarism
is stealing. Also, make sure you are using a valid source of
information. Previous student projects are not always correct.
We will be using the MLA Format. There are several great
websites that will help in citing your sources.
http://www.library.illinois.edu/learn/research/citation/mla.html
http://citationmachine.net/index2.php?reqstyleid=1&newstyle=1&stylebox=1
To cite information from a Texas State historical marker or
medallion, please use the following:
Texas Historical Marker (City, State: Plaque title, year)
For example, if you were using the marker in front of the Old
Cemetery, you would cite it like this:
Texas Historical Marker (Montgomery, TX: The Old Methodist Churchyard, 1976)
To cite information from a Montgomery Historical Marker, please use the
following:
Montgomery Historical Marker (Plaque title)
Example: Montgomery Historical Marker (The Hanging Tree-Price/Berkley Hotel)