Fraction games are a great way to provide engagement and learning support for students. When I think back to how I taught fractions my first few years of teaching, I wish I could go back and apologize to my former students. Yes, I taught the necessary lessons and my students appeared to understand fractions, but I didn’t appreciate the importance of giving students time to develop fraction sense. I saw it as just another math unit to finish.

As my understanding of how students learn math grew, I realized that I was not teaching fractions at the depth needed for students to develop deep fraction sense that allows them to become flexible thinkers. Over time, I refined my instruction to the point that fractions are almost always my students’ top scoring domain in any standardized test. Even more importantly, my students love working with fractions.

I’ve written many blog posts on teaching fractions. The articles range from fraction basics, to comparing fractions, equivalent fractions, and computation with fractions. In this post, I’ve shared some of my favorite fraction games.

Incorporating Math Games

There really is no one right or wrong way to incorporate fraction games in the classroom. We all know that what works for one group of students doesn’t always work for a different group of students. In all parts of education, there is rarely ever a one-size-fits-all solution.

Math Centers

One way to incorporate math games in your instruction is through math centers. You can easily add games to your existing math centers. The first time I tried centers, I failed miserably and knew that they were not for me! I eventually tried again and found what worked for my classroom.

I implemented math centers during the framework of my already existing math block, so I didn’t have to carve out extra time for math centers. Math centers became part of my students’ work time. I also recognized that it wasn’t feasible (for me) to implement centers every day, and that was okay! You can read more about how I implemented math centers here.

Whole Group Fraction Games

Whole group games can be fun and effective too! For me, the biggest drawback is that I have to prepare materials for all students or groups, rather than only one set of materials for centers. I’m careful to keep all the materials organized, so that it’s prepped, I don’t have to do it again!

You can make a short game part of your math mini lesson. If you have a longer more complex game, you could have students play the game with partners or in a small group during their math work time. The possibilities are really endless.

Extension/Enrichment/Early Finisher

You can also make math games part of your extension or enrichment for early finishers. I have a larger class than usual this year, and I’ve found this to be very effective with large groups. After students complete their assignment for the day, they are able to play a math game.

This keeps students engaged with meaningful and purposeful activities, and it gives me flexibility to continue meeting with small groups while students are playing the game.

Fraction Games

Let’s get to the fun stuff-the games! As you read, keep in mind that all of these games are available to you as an awesome freebie!

Fraction Duel

This game is a spin on the card game War that gives students the opportunity to compare fractions. Students draw a fraction card and compare the two fractions. The students whose fraction has the greatest value wins that round.

Fraction Games – Order Up

This fraction game reviews ordering fractions. Each player should draw two cards and place them face-up. from lesser to greater value. Then, without looking at the card, both players draw a third card and predict whether the third card is going to be less than both cards, greater than both cards, or in the middle of the two cards. They place the facedown card in the predicted correct location, so, if correct, the cards are in order from least to greatest. If the prediction was correct, the player gets a point

Fraction Games – Make a One

The goal of the game is for students to use as many cards as they can during each round to get as high a score as possible by adding fractions to equal one whole. Students score one point for each number in the numerator or denominator position. Since my fourth graders don’t work with uncommon denominators, I set the rule that add denominators must be like numbers. However, if I were teaching fifth grade, I would probably change that rule!

Fraction Rows

The goal of the game is to fill every square in a row with fractions in order from least to greatest. Player 1 and 2 take turns to select a card and write the fraction in any place on the Fraction Row sheet.  Once a fraction is written on the recording sheet, it cannot be changed or moved. Students continue drawing cards and writing the fractions on a square in the fraction row. As students progress in the game, it will become more and more difficult to find a square in which the fraction will fit. If the student cannot place the fraction they drew, they miss that turn. The first player to fill their row wins that round.

Five in a Row

The object of this game is to capture five spaces in a row. Materials: Students assign themselves a color distinguish their squares. If students use counters, rather than coloring in the squares students can play the game again. Students should draw a card and find an equivalent fraction on the game board and color (place their counter) on that fraction on the game board. The first player to make five spaces in a horizontal or vertical row wins.

Problem Solving

While I know it’s not a game, I love throwing in problem solving activities like this. There is no clear or singular answer, which can frustrate students. However, it’s a good way to teach perseverance and critical thinking.

Fraction Games – Rolling Fractions

Students roll two dice and use the digits rolled to write a fraction with the greatest possible value. The player with the greatest value receives a point, and the first player to reach 10 points wins.

You can get these fraction games here!

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Have you ever stumbled upon a website and wondered why you’ve never used it before? That’s how I was with Math Playground. It was love at first click.

I am very picky when it comes to websites and math games. I am not looking for more skills practice with low level computation and little to no reasoning involved. Instead, I look for games that encourage problem solving, mathematical modeling, and application of concepts. I found that when I discovered Math Playground. There is a lot of sort through, so I’ve shared my favorite games here.

Thinking Blocks

Let’s start with my favorite-Thinking Blocks. This helps you teach word problems visually. All word problem types, such as part-part-whole, comparison, joining, separating, multiplication and division, can be expressed through thinking blocks (also known as bar models or tape diagrams). This can be used for all grade levels.

Venn Puzzles 2: Free

This Venn Puzzle is an amazing way to allow students to problem solving with factors and multiples. There are three levels of difficulty that you can choose from, which makes differentiation much easier.

All Aboard Multiplication: Free

Fourth grade has a strong focus on teaching multiplication as a comparison, so I love this activity for fourth grade. Students use comparison statements to color code all of the factor bots.

Math Surpass

In the Math Surpass activity, there are a lot of options.

I personally enjoy the Remainder version, but they’re all great! In each version, you can select the level of difficulty, as well as whether or not students play against the computer or a friend.

The goal is for students to claim as much of the game board as possible, which is where the strategy comes in to play.

Candy Challenge: Free

Candy Challenge is a great way to challenge students with algebraic reasoning. Students use mathematical reasoning to find the price of each individual candy. It starts fairly easy. In the example below, students would select the 0.02 jar.

It quickly becomes more challenging and includes two step problems.

Visual Division: Free

Visual Division is a great way to help students see division. You can choose the size of your dividend. In the easiest set, the dividends range through 99,  and you chose whether or not you want remainders.

This can also be done with larger numbers. I wouldn’t recommend lots of this activity, because students will tire of dragging the numbers, but it is a valuable visual.

Mach Ten Multiples: Paid

In Mach Ten Multiples students steer their spaceship toward the correct multiples. This is a little hard for non-gamers like me, because I’m the worst navigator ever! However, students love it!

It’s also a great way to help students quickly reason about multiples of single digit numbers.

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One way to increase student engagement is to incorporate math task cards into your instruction. You can use task cards with centers, playing Scoot, or even use them digitally. While I love using my more traditional task cards, I’m always on the lookout for out of the box ideas to keep the task cards novel for students. This post shares five of my favorite sets of task cards that are a bit unique and a whole lot of fun!

Scavenger Hunts

You can easily incorporate task cards with scavenger hunts (print or digital). In reading students can find examples of nonfiction text features using sites such as Epic or your classroom library. They can look for examples of character traits or different points of view.  In math students can find examples of various math concepts, such as numbers that round to 2,000 or particular measurements. In the Place Value Scavenger Hunt below, students use reference books to find examples of numbers with given place values or values.

You could easily adapt this scavenger hunt to work with decimals and/or fractions for older students.

Math Task Cards – QR Codes

QR codes can also increase student engagement when combined with math task cards. One great way to use them is to incorporate the task cards with brief videos linked with the QR code. For example, in this set of Sports Math task cards, students can watch brief videos that highlight the sporting event mentioned. This helps bring the content to life for students.

I’m working on something now with language arts that I’m really excited about! It’s not quite ready to share, but I hope to give you some great ways to combine the two soon.

Hands-On

You can absolutely combine math task cards and hands-on learning. You can use almost any math manipulative with task cards. One of my favorites is this equivalent fraction activities that helps students see the relationship between parts and wholes.

One thing you will need to note is if the shapes on the task cards are proportional to the manipulatives you plan to use. I ended up needing to make my own manipulatives for the activity above, because I wanted the sizes to be exact. You can download that activity for free here and you’ll also access the printable manipulatives that are proportional to the design.

Math Task Cards – Book Orders

Book order forms are a great way to increase student engagement! Even if no one orders books, the forms can be so useful! You could have students sort book genres using the book covers. The book blurbs can be a great starting point for teaching summaries or main idea. If you’re teaching math, you can use the cost of the books for real-life problem solving. The Book Order Math task cards can be used with any month’s book order form, so it something that can be used multiple times a year.

Menus

I love using choice boards and tic-tac-toe menus during my instruction. But, real restaurant menus are great too. When using these Restaurant Math task cards students once again apply computation and problem solving skills using restaurant menus. I haven’t yet found a great way to incorporate menus with language arts, but I’ll be on the lookout!

What are other creative ways you’ve used math task cards in your classroom?

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There are so many fun and engaging place value worksheets, resources, and lessons to incorporate into the classroom that it’s hard to find time to squeeze it all in. In this post, you can learn more about supplemental place value worksheets and activities that can be added to your place value unit.

Emoji Place Value

One of my absolute favorite place value worksheets and/or activities is Emoji Place Value.  In the activity, each student receives a different cell phone with a text conversation on the screen. The conversation is full of different emojis. Each emoji is assigned a different value and students determine the total value of their text conversation. Once students find the value of the conversation, they solve 9 different problems solving questions. There are four versions of this activity:

• version 1-place value through the thousands place
• version 2-place value through the ten-thousands place
• version 3-place value through the hundred thousands place
• version 4-decimals (numbers range from thousands place to hundredth place).

Place Value Worksheets-3 Act Task

At the minimum, I like to incorporate at least one 3 act task with each math concept I teach, which is definitely more than a simple place value worksheet. Since place value is the first unit of the year, this is also students’ first experience with a 3 act task. I got the idea for this task from Robert Kaplansky’s website which is full of ideas and videos for teaching math.

In this place value worksheet, as the opening act, show students a picture of a floor design created out of pennies. I always tell students that the home owners unknowingly created The Great Math Debate.

After students look at the floor and give their opinions, share how it caused the great math debate on Twitter. I copied and pasted some of the best and clean tweets about the floor. Students can easily see how people were arguing over the value of the pennies

Students are always shocked at the responses! Not only does this incorporate math but it shows students the need to be able to articulate their reasoning and to prove their accuracy. As an extension, have students determine how many pennies they would need to have $13,000 or $1,300.

Place Value Escape

This escape activity contains some of my favorite place value worksheets. You can think of breakout lessons or escape lessons as a type of academic scavenger hunt. Students solve problems to discover a clue or code that will take them to their next problem. You can use Escape From Place Value Island as a culminating task for your place value unit.

To begin the lesson, I give each group a manila envelop full of the resources they will need for the activity and a box that is locked with three different locks.

Students begin with the baggie labeled with Clue 1. For example, in this clue, students determine which digit is in the ten thousands place in for each number. Once students identify the digit, they place the digits in order to create the smallest number possible and use that code to unlock the 4-digit lock.

Students move on to Clue 2 to solve five place value problems by determining which student is correct in various word problems. Students write the first letter of each students’ name on a line at the bottom of the page. The letters on this place value worksheet will create the code to open the 5-letter lock.

To find the code to open the last lock, students solve each of the rounding problems. As students round, they will color the corresponding number on the Clue 3 Recording Sheet. After students shade in the numbers, they should look at their paper to determine the next code. It’s definitely a twist to traditional place value worksheets!

When students open the lock, they will be able to open the box. However, inside the box is a smaller box with another lock on it. Students use Clue 4 cards to find the code for the next clue. To solve this clue, students multiply and compare 14 equation task cards using the symbols <, >, and = and determine how many of each type of symbol are used. Those numbers will determine the colors on the lock.

When students enter the code and unlock they box, they are able to escape the island with a cell phone (mini phone eraser).

Of course, there is an all digital version of the escape. That’s perfect for distance learning or when you don’t have access to the boxes and locks.

Hopefully, you’ve found some new ideas for incorporating place value worksheets and activities into your classroom!

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This Division Escape Room Lesson (you can find it here) is one of my favorite culminating activities to my 4th grade division unit. It incorporates so many skills and concepts into a fun and exciting format for students. I consider any lesson where students are so engaged and motivated that they don’t realize just how hard they’re working a success. In this post, I will share how I implemented this escape activity into my classroom.

As with my other escape rooms, there detailed directions on how to set up and prep the escape room. While, you definitely can’t consider this a “no prep” activity, you can greatly reduce the amount of prep time needed. I like to prep my boxes by setting everything out and assembling one lock at a time. I can usually get the boxes and locks ready in less than 15 minutes. If I use the digital version, I can be ready to go in less than five minutes.

In the division escape activity, there is also a detailed student direction page. It’s important to consistently remind students to go back to the directions page. Many times my students want to skip that step, and then they don’t know what to do or how to use the clue to determine the code for the lock. If  the question is something they can answer for themselves, I remind them to look back at the directions. This is one of the reasons I love these activities, because it encourages independence and problem solving.

Division Escape Room-Clue 1

In the first clue, students solve each of the long division problems on the recording sheet. I let students choose whichever strategy they prefer, since I use this at the end of our division unit. After students divide, they find the quotient to each problem on the bottom of the recording sheet. Students place the letter on the problem on top of the corresponding quotient. When they crack the secret message, they use that message to unlock the first lock.

Division Escape Room-Clue 2

Clue 2 is a lot of fun, because students are never sure how the recording sheet will actually give them the clue. I LOVE the expressions on their face when they “see” the clue. The numbers on the table are being used as dividends in division problems. Students color in all numbers that will be certain to have a remainder-no matter what the divisor for the problem is. Encourage students to not attempt to try to solve every possible division problem. Instead, students think about divisibility rules and use the process of elimination.

Division Escape Room-Clue 3

Clue 3 contains task cards where students must interpret the remainder to a division word problem. There are three answer choices at the bottom of each task cards card. Students select the best choice and write down the corresponding letter. After completing each of the task cards, students unscramble the letters to find the code for the next lcok.

Division Escape Clue 4

Clue 4 focuses on the representation of long division through area models, partial quotients, and place value. In this clue, students find the missing number in a division equation. Students solve each of the problems on the Clue 4 task cards. After they determine the five answers, they place their cards in order from the smallest answer to the greatest answer. This is the order of the letters for the 5-letter lock.

After students complete Clue 4, they escape the division dungeon. You can give students a prize for escaping, or the act of escaping can BE the prize.

As with my other escape rooms, I’ve included a digital version, so you do do these lessons without the boxes and locks. If you’d like to learn more about the set-up and assembly of escape rooms, be sure to check out this blog post. It has a lot of useful ideas that you can use with any escape room.  Please let me know if you have any questions about this Division Escape Room Lesson!

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This Christmas escape room activity is so much for students and teachers! I love any and all Christmas related activities. I also love escape lessons in the classroom, so I decided to combine two of my favorite things to create a Christmas Escape Room activity that is perfect for upper elementary students. This is not a grade level or standard specific breakout project. Instead, this Christmas Escape Room activity focuses on critical thinking and reasoning, and a whole lotta fun! If you need ideas on how to implement an escape room activity, be sure to check out this blog post.

Christmas Escape Room Activity – Set the Stage

In this Christmas escape room activity, students have to escape from Santa’s naughty list. There’s been a terrible mix up at the North Pole, and the class has accidentally been placed on the naughty list! This was a mistake and everyone is supposed to be on the nice list, so students must alert Santa of this mix-up! However, for students to get the message to Santa and escape the naughty list, they must solve a series of four Christmas puzzles.

Clue 1

To prove that students belong on the nice list, they’ll need to sing a few Christmas carols. Students must decipher the picture clues to determine which 12 carols to sing. They will write the title of the song that each card represents on the recording sheet. I’ve tested these out with several students. Some aren’t too difficult, but some were fairly challenging. Fortunately, with students working together they won’t have too much trouble identifying all of the carols.

Clue 2

In clue 2, students learn that Santa accidentally jumbled up his Christmas list. They must help him by finding the hidden words on the list. The letters that are NOT used will give students the next code to discover the following clue.

Clue 3

For clue 3 in the Christmas Escape Room, students must help Santa find what number goes at the top of his tree. To find the missing number, students should add side-by-side numbers and write the sum of those numbers on the hexagon above that number. The number at the top is the code for the next lock. The higher students work their way up the tree, the larger the numbers will become, so there is a bit of math involved.

Clue 4

In the fourth portion of the escape, students help Santa organize his supplies. To do this, students need to match the Christmas items on the Christmas puzzle. To complete the 3-by-3 puzzle, students should reconstruct the squares so that all of the images match on every interior side. Once students complete the puzzle, use the top three images and the decoder wheel to crack the code!

Christmas Escape Room

I have included multiple versions of this Christmas Escape Room to meet your classroom needs. One version is for a physical setup of the activity, and the second version is for a hybrid digital version of the activity that does not require boxes or locks. In both versions, break students into small groups of approximately four per group. If you use the digital version, you don’t need any special locks or boxes, which does simplify it a bit. I’ve written a blog post that severs as a how-to guide on implementing digital and physical escape lessons, and you can see that here. I also made You Escaped cards, and I will probably add a candy cane or something seasonal to our smallest boxes. I feel very confident that everyone will make it to the nice list on this Christmas Escape!

You can check out this post for a huge collection of Christmas activities!

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I absolutely LOVE using escape lessons or breakout activities to make my instruction fun and engaging for my students. Earlier, I shared a blog post on how I’ve started using escape rooms in my fourth grade classroom. The post gives step-by-step directions in how to implement and organize a physical or digital escape room or back to school breakout. You can find that post here.

I wanted to incorporate an escape lesson at the beginning of the year. But I knew that my students wouldn’t be ready for an academic breakout lesson early in the school year. This Back to School Breakout is quite a bit different from my other escape lessons, because it’s not directed toward a specific grade level or standard. Instead, this focuses on critical thinking and puzzle type activities that are suitable for multiple grade levels. Like my other breakout lessons, I have created physical and digital versions. So, you won’t need a ton of materials.

I store all of students’ materials in a manila folder. I create one folder for each of my groups, and I have four students in each group.

Inside the folder, I include a student direction page that gives an overview of each of the challenges in the escape activity. My students have learned that it is essential for them to read the directions carefully.

In the first challenge, students solve a four by four puzzle. That in itself isn’t difficult, but this is challenging, because the pictures do not assist students in solving the puzzle. Instead, students will have to work together cooperatively to put the puzzle together. Then students will add the digits in each row together to find the combination to open the first lock (physical or digital). I cut these out and store them in sandwich baggies inside the envelopes.

Once students complete the first challenge, they are able to begin the second activity in the packet, where they describe what they should do in various social situations. In this activity, students have a collection of task cards with different scenarios such as, “You and your friends are talking at lunch. You notice a student looking at your group but not talking. What could you do?” I feel like this type of activity is essential for developing soft skills with students and for developing a classroom community. I also store these in sandwich baggies and keep them in the envelope.

Since there isn’t a right or wrong answer, I added a second part to this activity. When students finish writing down what they could do, they will bring me their recording sheet, and I give them a maze to complete. The numbers on the correct path are the digits in the next combination. This portion of the activity should be quite fast, and it adds to the puzzle component of the escape room.

Clue 3 includes a back to school Bingo game. This will allow students to get to know the members of their group at a deeper level. There are 20 different events on the Bingo sheet, and if a group member has completed one of those activity, they should write their name on the line. When there are five spaces in a row, vertically, or diagonally signed, students have Bingo! I make a rule that each student in the group must add their name to a line at least once.

Since this is another activity where there is no clear answer, I’ve created an additional step to this activity. Students will use American Sign Language to decode the next clue. This spells out the colors used in the next lock. If you don’t have a color lock, I’ve also included a color wheel decoder, so you can use it with number locks as well.

In the final activity, students answer classroom procedure questions to find the letter combination for the last lock. This allows students to review some of our classroom procedures in a fun way. Since every classroom is different, I’ve included an editable copy for you! This will allow you to adjust the questions and answer choices to your classroom needs.

I love the challenge and fun this will provide my students during this busy time of year! You can see the activity here!

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I want to share with you my favorite back to school game. However, before I share the game, I need to give a little background…

My husband and I went on a cruise where there was a game showed called The Quest. We had no clue what we were getting into, but everyone told us we had to go. I’ll spare you all the details, but let me just say it was SO MUCH FUN! Even though it was definitely an adult show, my teacher brain was thinking of ways to adapt the premise to the classroom as a back to school game. Fast forward a few months later and…

I’ll start the directions with a warning to teachers. If you want a calm and quiet back to school game, this isn’t it. This is a fast paced game that can be quite competitive and silly at times.

My students sit in clusters of four, so their table is students’ team for the game. When a quest is given, ONE person from the team brings an item to me or performs an action for me to observe. I don’t require my students to take turns bringing me the items. Instead, I let the dynamic of the group naturally unfold. I do require everyone to participate at least once.

The object of the back to school game is for groups to earn as many points as possible in 20 rounds, or less if you want. When a quest is given, the first group to bring me the item earns three points, the second table earns two points, and any other table that meets the quest earns one point. There will be rounds where some groups don’t earn any points, and that’s okay. I love the fact that any group can earn a point in any round. This prevents teams from giving up. I don’t display the scores either, because it’s way too hard for me to keep up with as students are playing.

Since this is such an energetic game, it’s essential to have strict rules. My rules are no running, no shoving to get to the teacher first, and no yelling. I make groups lose points for breaking the rules. I walk around constantly, so I’m not giving an advantage to one group of students.

There is nothing to prep or print out for the back to school game. I just display these slides on my project, and I’m ready to go. An example of something students may have to bring to me would be an airplane. I won’t specify what type of airplane, so students could make a paper airplane.

To keep things interesting, I may also ask students to do something for me, such as a split. I tried to come up with a lot of random things, so all students could have fun and participate. I have students do things such as push-ups and the chicken dance.

Some of the slides are pretty silly. For instance, in one quest one student must put on someone else’s left shoe and in other students have to play ring-around-the-roses.

The final and most challenging round is the Cookie Challenge. In this challenge, students place a cookie on the bridge of their nose and try to eat the cookie without touching it with their fingers. Once every member accomplishes their task, they get the point(s).

Students could let some of the rounds drag on for too long, so I try to set a time limit for each round. When time is up, I say, “This quest is” and students respond with “over”. At that point, a group can no longer earn a point for that round.

There really isn’t an academic purpose to this back to school game. Instead, it’s a unique twist to common ice breakers and is a great way to build classroom community. It’s also useful for bringing those reserved students out of their shell. I’ve added a link to the game here for FREE, so be sure to grab it! You can find a large collection of back to school ideas here.

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As the end of the school year draws closer, I’m constantly looking for new ways to keep my students motivated and engaged. Last week I shared a blog post on how I’ve started using escape rooms in my fourth grade classroom. The post gives step-by-step directions in how to implement and organize a physical or digital End of the Year Escape Room. You can find that post here.

I wanted to let my students complete one last escape activity before the end of the school year, so I’ve created an Escape the School activity. This is quite a bit different from my other escape lessons, because it’s not directed toward a specific grade level or standard. Instead, this focuses on critical thinking and puzzle type activities that are suitable for multiple grade levels.

Getting Started

I store all of students’ materials in a manila folder. I create one folder for each of my groups, and I have four students in each group.

Inside the folder, I include a student direction page that gives an overview of each of the challenges in the escape activity. My students have learned that it is essential for them to read the directions carefully.

End of the Year Escape Room Challenges

In the first challenge, students solve eight rebus or word picture puzzles. Students are given a recording sheet and use the directions on the recording sheet to form the combination to open the first lock (physical or digital). I cut these out and store them in sandwich baggies inside the envelopes.

Once students complete the first challenge, they are able to begin the second activity in the packet, where they help the P.E. coach give ribbons for Field Day. In this activity, students complete a logic puzzle with two different parts. In the logic puzzle, students must determine which classes participated in which event in the school’s Field Day. Students must also discover what place each class was in on Field Day.

Clue 3 is definitely my favorite activity in the pack! Students must turn in their overdue library books, but to do so, students must identify the book’s title from the quote on the library card. I have provided more than five library cards for this activity. This will allow you to select the best quotes for your students. Also included are blank library cards where you can add a quote from the book of your choice. I included quotes from many of today’s popular children’s chapter books to ensure all students can complete this activity successfully.

The flexibly in this lesson means you will determine the code for the five color lock. I’ve provided a code wheel, so you can use this activity with a 5-color or 5-digit lock. To determine the code, place the first letter of each of the five book titles you’ve chosen in alphabetical order. For example, I plan to select the quotes from the books: The Land of Stories (T), Fish in a Tree (F), Hatchet (H), Walk Two Moons (W), and The Tale of Despereaux (T). The first letter of the first word in each book in alphabetical order forms the code: FHTTW. There are multiple possible hints or scaffolding for this activity. You could provide students a computer to search the quotes. You could also provide the books and let students know which chapters to look through or mark the pages with a sticky note.

Final Activity

In the final activity, students match the school supply icons to clean out their desk/locker/cubby. This is a challenging activity that will certain require students to demonstrate their growth mindset. It is important to have the cards cut out prior to the beginning the lesson. I also store these in sandwich baggies. Once students solve the puzzle, they will decipher the code to escape the school.

I love the challenge and fun this will provide my students during the hectic end of the year! You can see the activity here!

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What are Escape Room Activities?

I like to think of escape room activities as a type of academic scavenger hunt. Students solve problems to discover a clue or code that will take them to their next problem. Let me use my Escape From Place Value Island as an example. Even if this particular lesson doesn’t fit your needs, it may help clarify what exactly an escape activity is. Just remember that each activity and type of code or clue can be different, it’s just one of the MANY possibilities.

To begin the lesson, I give each group a manila envelop full of the resources they will need for the activity and a box that is locked with three different locks.

Students begin with the baggie labeled with Clue 1. For example, in this clue, students determine which digit is in the ten thousands place in for each number. Once students identify the digit, they place the digits in order to create the smallest number possible and use that code to unlock the 4-digit lock.

Students move on to Clue 2 to solve five place value problems by determining which student is correct in various word problems. Students write the first letter of each students’ name on a line at the bottom of the page. The letters will create the code to open the 5-letter lock.

To find the code to open the last lock, students solve each of the rounding problems. As students round, they will color the corresponding number on the Clue 3 Recording Sheet. After students shade in the numbers, they should look at their paper to determine the next code.

When students open the lock, they will be able to open the box. However, inside the box is a smaller box with another lock on it. Students use Clue 4 cards to find the code for the next clue. To solve this clue, students multiply and compare 14 equation task cards using the symbols <, >, and = and determine how many of each type of symbol are used. Those numbers will determine the colors on the lock.

When students enter the code and unlock they box, they are able to escape the island with a cell phone (mini phone eraser).

Some teachers hide clues around the classroom, but I haven’t used that approach yet, but it is another way to create novelty for students. I’ve also seen where teachers use QR codes for the digital version, which would certainly work too. I don’t have access to ipads, so I haven’t tried that yet.

Materials for Escape Room Activities

You can either have students complete physical escape room activities. I thoroughly enjoy a physical escape activity. As far as the fun factor goes, it’s definitely my favorite version. However, it does require an investment of money and time. I had been eyeballing the kits on Breakout Edu for months, and I wrote a Donor’s Choose request for five kits. They are quite expensive at $150 each, so I certainly wasn’t going to pay for the kits out of pocket. I was just a couple weeks away from being funded when my project was fully funded! If you’re interested in a physical set-up I do recommend the kits. However, I think it would be completely possible to create your own physical kit. You would want the following items:

• larger box-about the size of a shoe box-make sure there is a place for a lock-Here’s one on Amazon.

• smaller box-any box that will fit inside the larger box will work-as long as you can lock it. If you can’t find a box, you could use an envelope and just poke a hole through the envelop for the lock.
• multi-lock-I had no idea what this was when I started, and it’s an essential material. You place it through the lock on the box. Then, the other locks go in its holes. That way the other locks have to be opened before the multi lock and open. I like this one.

• 3-digit lock-you can find these easily! I like this one, but if you have the box above, it comes with a 3-digit lock.

• 4-digit lock-these are also easy to find. Here’s another good choice.

• 5-letter lock-you’ll also want a 5 letter lock. I’ve heard good things about this one.

• 5-color lock-this is the tricky one. I can’t seem to find it anywhere but on Breakout Edu. Fortunately, I have thought of a way around this issue. I created a color decipher wheel where students can correlate each color with a number, which means you could just use a 5 digit lock, rather than a color lock. You can download the decipher wheel here.

There are other materials in the Breakout Edu kit. There’s an UV pen and UV light, directional locks, and shape locks. I haven’t used those resources yet, but I’m sure I’ll utilize those in my classroom. However, I’m trying to keep the types of materials I use in the physical set-up of my TpT products consistent and as minimal as possible.

There was a pretty steep learning curve for me in setting locks. It took me a little time to figure it all out, but once I got the hang of it with a little practice I could set the locks quickly. Don’t be discouraged the first time you set it all up. I reduced my prep time in half the second time I prepped an escape activity. I’ll share how I set up and prep in a bit. It’s also important to know that you reuse the materials every time you implement one of these activities. You don’t need a new set of locks for every lesson.

If you’re thinking that there is NO WAY I’m prepping all of this, and/or I’m not able to utilize something like Donor’s Choose for the materials, you’re in luck. There is a Plan B, which is a digital version of the escape classrooms or breakout activities. This requires FAR LESS prep and materials than the physical version. When I do a digital version, I do everything the same except the actual unlocking of the boxes. I don’t set-up any boxes or locks. Instead, students enter their codes in Google Forms. Sometimes there is a multiple choice version, where students select the one correct combination.

Other times, students have to answer a series of questions correctly. In the example below, students must choose the correct person for each question to be able to move to the next section.

There can also be a short answer question, where students key in the answer.

If students get a problem wrong, they receive the following message. Fortunately, they are able to go back and try again.

Each teacher will want to manage and organize the activities to best meet the needs of their classroom. I like to have my students work in groups of four, so that everyone has a turn to open a lock or enter a code. The obvious problem with this is that you need multiple kits. One suggestion is to give one group the physical kit and the other groups complete the digital version. Each time you complete an escape activity, you can alternate who uses the physical kit. It’s not a perfect solution, but sometimes we have to be creative and do the best we can.

My students LOVE these escape room activites, but I don’t use them frequently. I want to keep these special and a non routine activity, so I never do more than one activity a month. I wouldn’t use this activity to introduce or teach new concepts. Instead, I use it as a tool to allow students to apply or review concepts they have learned.

I don’t do a room transformation or set my room up in a special way when we do one of these lessons. I have my students sitting in clusters of four, and that is typically my students’ group for our escape classrooms. They are able to work together wherever they choose in the classroom, but once they’re in a spot they have to stay there. I make it a big deal for students to go to a different group and “spy” for clues.

When students are working on an escape room activity, I give each group two clue cards. If they need help, they have to use one of their clue cards, and I give them the help they need. Of course, if it’s a technical issue they don’t have to give up a clue card for that. This requires students to think carefully before they ask for help. They have to decide if the problem is something they can work through on their own, or if they genuinely need assistance. Once the clue cards are gone, they’re gone. Most teachers set a time limit for the activity. For example, my students had to escape from Place Value Island in 1 hour and 15 minutes. Although, I’ve been known to pause the timer every now and then;)

The boxes to take up a bit of space, but I was able to shuffle things around to make room for them in my cabinet. I store each set of locks in a small box that I stack on top of each other in the same box. Prepping for the lesson was a nightmare the first time I implemented this. I wondered what in the world I was thinking! The second time was better, not fast, but better. By the third time, I finally found a system that worked, so I’ll share what I do. Keep in mind your materials may look different, but you can get the basics of it. I can’t give a time estimation, because there are so many different variables. Using the escape classrooms I’ve made, I can easily set up from start to finish in 30 minutes.

I first set out all of my large boxes and place the smaller boxes inside the large boxes. It’s not necessary to have both sizes of boxes. You could just place all four locks on one box, but I think it makes it fun. Plus, the small boxes came with my kit.

I then lay out all of my locks. I store each complete set in a small cardboard box. I’ve labeled each set, so I’ll know which table is responsible for each set. That way if something is missing or broken, I’ll know who to talk to.

I begin with the end, so I place the You Escaped card in each of the small boxes. It’s not necessary to provide a prize or candy in the small box. The fun is in the game itself.

I close and lock the small box with the Clue 4 lock. I like to place Clue 4 in the big box, so it will be there when students open the box. However, it would also be okay to store it in the large envelope at the beginning of the game. It depends on your preference for escape room activities.

I close the big boxes and attach the multi lock. This was what confused me at first. I couldn’t understand how I would attach three locks on one box! This is how. I didn’t know they existed until I started do this.

I add the other three locks one at a time. I’ve found that I’m faster that way, because otherwise I keep forgetting the codes.

When all three locks on are the box, it’s ready! My students know not to touch the boxes until we’re ready for the activity. If I prepare them in advance, they may have to wait a day or two before they get to do the lesson, which drives them crazy!

Resources

I’m picky about my escape room activities, because I know exactly what I want for my students, and I need an easy to follow format. I’ve started created my own Breakout resources, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the activities. My goal is to have escape classrooms as a culminating project for for each of my third and four grade math units. I’ve finished with the 4th grade math resources, and I’m working on the 3rd grade resources now. I personally think these lessons are best suited for math, because of the problem solving nature of math. I’ve compiled each of the activities into a 4th Grade Escape Room Bundle. I don’t have the third grade bundle ready, but there are a few individual lessons ready.

If purchasing, make sure it fits YOUR needs. As I said above products that require a QR code reader won’t work for me, because we don’t have access to that. If you don’t have any physical materials, you wouldn’t want a physical ONLY product. I would also pay close attention to the rigor of the type of activities in the activity. Do you want students to recall facts or to problem solve and apply? What you select should meet your classroom needs.

Please let me know if you have any other questions about escape classrooms. I’m far from an expert, but I can try! Be sure to also read my posts on my Fraction Escape Activity, Division Escape Room Activity, and my Christmas Escape Room.

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