Setting up a classroom escape room is a fantastic way to boost student engagement and make learning fun and interactive. Whether you want to introduce a new topic or review previously learned material, an escape room challenge can be a creative and effective teaching tool. While it may seem daunting initially, once you establish a process, you can easily create new escape rooms by changing out the puzzles and storyline. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up your own classroom escape room.
- Choose your locks and boxes: Lockable boxes and bags are commonly used in escape rooms to hide clues. You can either buy lockable boxes or make your own. If you prefer a simpler setup, consider using a lockout hasp that can hold multiple locks. Make sure to test your locks in advance to ensure they are easy for students to use.
- Set the purpose and create a story: Determine the learning objectives you want to achieve with your escape room and create a storyline that ties in with your topic. Start the escape room with a captivating story that presents a problem to be solved. Let the story unfold gradually as students discover clues.
- Create your puzzles and clues: Design a variety of puzzles and clues that students need to solve to progress through the escape room. These can range from riddles and math problems to decoding messages or answering questions. Ensure a good balance of easy, moderate, and challenging tasks to keep students engaged.
- Organize, prepare, and rehearse: Use a printable escape room planner to organize the flow of the escape room. Mentally role-play the experience as a student to identify any potential issues. Consider dividing students into groups and setting up tasks as stations to ensure smooth progression.
- Create buzz: Generate excitement for the escape room by placing cryptic signs around the room, introducing a video or a mysterious letter, and offering incentives like "spy bucks" for hints. Dress up in costume and play thematic music on the day of the escape room to enhance the immersive experience.
- Escape: On the day of the escape room, set clear rules for students to follow and be prepared to provide hints if needed. Manage groups as they move from station to station and encourage collaboration and problem-solving skills.
- Celebrate and reflect: Celebrate students’ success with tangible rewards and recognition of individual or group achievements. Take time to reflect on the experience and gather feedback from students to improve future escape room activities.
Setting up a classroom escape room can be a rewarding and memorable experience for both you and your students. By following these steps and incorporating creative puzzles and engaging storytelling, you can create an immersive learning environment that promotes teamwork, critical thinking, and fun. Get ready to see your students’ excitement and enthusiasm for learning soar with this interactive teaching approach.
