Teaching: Treasure Hunt

Here is the map I referred to in one of the learning/teaching ideas listed in the previous post.

I like to use this treasure map for both learning and reviewing in Primary. I can't claim responsibility for the idea, as I got it from another chorister years ago. Basically this is a map of my Primary room that I have labeled with different Gospel, LDS or Book of Mormon terms. Here is the key:

• Chairs: Waters of Mormon


• Aisle: Bridge of Friendship


• Podium: Mount Reverence


• Window: Light of Faith


• Talk/Scripture Chairs: Hills of Truth


• Table up front (or the chairs where the presidency sit): Island of Love


• Piano: Songbird Tree


• Extra Chairs on side of room: no name, just made it look like a forest


• Cabinet in back: Bishop's Storehouse


• Back Door: Volcano of No Return (this one is completely made up)


• Chairs where guests/parents sit when they visit: Watch Tower

I try to make one map per class and then they can share. The first time the kids see this map, I do not tell them that it is our primary room. Instead I just tell them that it is a map to the "treasures" they are seeking. It is fun to challenge them to figure it out and they feel so good when they do! I like to laminate it and then use the number stickers you see to depict where the "treasures" are. This way, I can take the stickers off and put them in new places for the next time I use the map.

The "treasures" I use are usually words/pictures that can be hidden pretty much anywhere in the room. This works great for teaching a song, but you can also use it as a motivator or tool for repeating since you could hide puzzle pieces or letters to spell out a special word, etc.

I don't really use this map too often so that it becomes a special treat for the kids. I have had great success with it!