In the valley between the Lavaca and Guadalupe rivers, it (Shiner) began as an Indian settlement called "Half Moon." It was a place of ranchers and cattle, the railroad and Indians, outlaws and Texas Rangers -- and cotton was "King." Texas roots run deep in Shiner, Texas. 

Source: http://www.shinertx.com/facts.htm

 

Shiner & TEXAS Scavenger Hunt

Shiner Elementary fifth-grade students will take part in a my town (Shiner), my state (Texas) scavenger hunt this year. Students display all collected items in a scrapbook, which will be due when students return from Spring Break.

The goal is to collect as many items as possible for the scrapbook. Each item has a designated point value. It is possible to earn up to 149 points! Students' goals are to try to earn at least 100 points.

Some of these items are easy to find and may even be found at school. Others may require a little extra effort. Scrapbook creativity is extremely important and may add up to 15 points alone.

Students may use binders, spirals, purchased scrapbooks, or homemade scrapbooks to compile their Shiner & Texas finds. Be creative!

HAVE FUN SEARCHING AND EXPLORING THIS WONDERFUL CITY AND STATE OF OURS!

5 pts each:

Leaf from our state tree

Picture of our state bird (photo, coloring, or drawing)

Article about TX's population (newspaper or internet)

Article about the record high or low temperature in TX

Logo from a sports team from Shiner or TX or both

An article about a natural disaster that took place in our state

Colored drawing or picture of the TX state flag

Colored drawing or picture of the Shiner city flag

Map of TX & map of Shiner

Headlines from the Shiner-Gazette and/or any other TX newspaper

List of current state officials and a brief description of their jobs (Governor, Lt. Governor, and Secretary of State)

Information about at least 5 TX rivers

Write the names of at least 5 TX authors with a brief description

Write a paragraph telling how TX got its name, who thought of the name, and why we decided to use it

8 pts each:

Photo of you in front of the local fire station or fire truck

Photo of you in front of the Shiner City Hall

Business cards of at least 5 Shiner businesses

Autograph from the mayor, council person, or city secretary of Shiner (1 or more)

A brochure of a State Park

Photo of you in front of the state capitol in Austin, TX

Something proving you have been to the Shiner Public Library

Something proving you have visited a TX museum

For a printable version of the Shiner & TX Scavenger Hunt--Go to the Handouts & Printables Link.

Points available from scavenger hunt: 134

Points available for creativity: 15

TOTAL Possible Points: 149

Remember you may choose the items for your scrapbook. Your grade will depend on which items you choose. Do you want to earn an 85, 100, or 149? To receive the 149 you must have all items and show creativity. I will check your progress once a month. This is a long-term project. Remember it is due when you return from Spring Break in March.

Click HERE for Grading Rubric!

Here are some interesting Texas and Shiner links to help students with some of the scavenger hunt items:

Texas Links:

Kidspace – Stately Knowledge TEXAS

 

Texas Trivia and Fun Facts

 

Texas Symbols

 

 

Learn about Texas Regions

 

Texas Beyond History –The Virtual Museum of Texas’ Cultural Heritage

Shiner Links:

Shiner Chamber of Commerce

 

  Shiner, Texas - Wikipedia

 

When the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway came to the area in 1887, it bypassed Half Moon and built through land owned by Henry B. Shiner. Shiner donated 250 acres for a right-of-way and depot, and a town soon grew around the new transportation facilities. At first, the community was called New Half Moon, but in 1888, its name was changed to Shiner.   Source: http://www.shinertx.com/facts.htm

 

Note: A very special "thank you" to Mrs. Tina Dunn for permission to use and adapt her idea for the Arkansas Scavenger Hunt for this Shiner & Texas Scavenger Hunt.