Estee Educates: Escape the Classroom

Project Description: Participants work in small and large groups to solve puzzles, unlock locks and "break out" of the classroom.

Device Recommendations: Any device with QR reader and internet access.

Tools Used: Described in each breakout game.

Resources:

BreakoutEdu.com

Classroom X-scape (used as PD with 6-12 educators)

Swamp's Classroom Breakout (used as PD with K-5 educators)

Escape the Classroom Intro Slides (for PD with either breakout above)

Oh, the Places You'll Go (adapted) (used with second grade classes)

My Thoughts: I first heard of this concept at FETC (Future of Education Technology Conference) in January, 2015 and fell in love with it. The basic idea is that students receive clues which lead them to solve puzzles with the ultimate goal being to break into a box with a prize inside. The puzzles are content related. So, for example, when working on a breakout on map skills, students may find a QR code, a map with numbered locations and a box locked with a 4 digit lock. When they scan the QR code, they will find a Google Form about getting from one point to another using the cardinal directions. They have to figure out the points are on the map they were given. Also, the destination points are both the answers to the Form questions and the digits for the lock. These puzzles can be smaller and left as a station in a rotation or part of a larger puzzle that can be done as a whole class. Using a timer and previous records definitely motivates participants\. Also, using hint cards or candy gives participants a chance to get help when they are ready, but also encourages them to keep trying on their own because they don't want to give up the hints too quickly. BreakoutEdu.com seems to be the first resource out here to package this idea by creating ready made lessons and a kit with a variety of locks, boxes and even a UV pen and light. I highly encourage anyone interested to start there. You do have to create an account to gain access to their lesson library, but it's free and totally worth it.

I used some ideas I found at BreakoutEdu.com to help me design some of my initial puzzles. I also created a lot of my own and used bags, boxes and locks I had around my house to complete my first escape (Classroom X-Scape) which consisted of 4 puzzles (1 each related to science, language arts, social students and math). I also created a Slides to help facilitate the session and give participants more information. Once it was done, I piloted my PD in an after school session at local middle school. They had a blast and recognized the skills a task like this requires: critical and creative thinking, cooperation, collaboration... you know, all those important Cs we want our 21st Century Learners to have. They also shared that even if they weren't the most vocal or active player, they "got something" out of the activity and never felt left out. I have repeated that session with tech coaches, principals, assistant principals and faculty groups all over my school district, and their feedback matched that first analysis over and over. Each group had fun, was engaged and felt like they each individually contributed. Because it went well, I worked with a fellow tech coach to develop the elementary level escape (Swamp's Classroom Breakout). The review of the activity was the same: an engaging, fun lesson that pushed teachers to invoke those 4 Cs.

From there, several teachers who had experienced an Escape PD wanted to try one with their students. I have worked as a coach with two teachers to setup pre-made breakouts from BreakoutEdu: one in middle school science and another in high school psychology. A high school chemistry teacher works at a wildlife center on the weekends and collaborated with his colleagues there to create an escape for visitors. I also worked with a second grade teacher to develop our own lesson based on the BreakoutEdu escape called Oh, the Places You'll Go. So far, I've used that lesson with 6 second grade classes around our district. The first group was labelled "advanced," but every other class was just your "typical" group of second graders. They have all been able to successfully finish and only the first advanced group was not able to finish in the 45 minute time limit. We learned some organizational tricks for our final puzzle in that session that I was able to adapt to the other classes and am so grateful to that teacher for helping develop and prepare for the activity and for helping fine tune it. As for the second graders, they enjoyed the activity more than recess and snack time put together. I promise, I'm not exaggerating (too much).

The bottom line is that, while there is a lot of prep work, the pay off is worth it. Teachers enjoyed this style of lesson and quickly recognized all the soft skills and 4 Cs it required along with knowledge of their typical standards-based content. High school students dubbed their psychology breakout on the Senses "hands on" and wished more teachers would do lessons like this. The second graders offered so many personal reflections in their share outs after the activity that I couldn't possibly begin to list them all, but the point is that they were able to successfully evaluate their contributions and possible ways they could improve. Some highlights include a commitment to trying their best, knowing it's okay if they don't always succeed, and being nice to others by listening to their ideas and giving them a chance to try.

If you've been considering trying this type of lesson, but were intimidated, I would recommend purchasing a kit from BreakoutEdu and trying one of their pre-made lessons or creating one of your own to be completed by a small group of students. As you get the feel for it, expand to a whole class breakout. Also, look around in your area. Breakout and Escape rooms are popular entertainment establishments these days. Take a group of teachers one Saturday night so you can experience this type of activity. Once you realize how much fun you can have while also flexing the 4 Cs, you'll want to include your students in the fun.

Keep going for a few pictures of the fun!

Pictures: