When teachers moved back into the classroom after remote learning, many of us were thrilled to ditch technology and move back into paper and pencil hands on learning. There is always room for technology in the classroom, but it needs to be done intentionally. Digital Escape Rooms are one of many ways I was able to engage my 2nd graders and allow them to practice their math skills in an engaging way.
I know what you’re thinking: when am I going to have the time to make one of those? Listen, I’ve got you. By signing up for my email list, you can receive this digital escape room template for FREE. This template will allow you to add your own questions and answers easily and then assign through Google Slides.
So, What is a Digital Escape Room?
A digital escape room can vary depending on who creates it. The escape rooms I create are typically themed (holiday, seasonal) and include 4 different tasks practicing 2nd grade math skills. Students click the correct answer and receive immediate feedback on their answers, meaning they know whether they are correct or not right away.
With my digital escape rooms, students are given 4 related tasks as they move towards an end goal. As they answer questions correctly. Many times these games have a story line for students to engage with and follow as well. When I began designing digital escape rooms for my classroom, I did so with purpose. I wanted my students to be reviewing math skills from previous units while also practicing current skills. But I also wanted students to have FUN.
Technology always has a place in the classroom. While sometimes students can mindlessly engage with games, these digital escape rooms allow for collaboration and expect students to be involved in their learning the entire time.
For example, when assigning my Winter Escape Room, I typically was teaching 2 digit subtraction. However, the activities in this resource allow students to practice reading numbers in base 10, skip counting and addition to 200.
4 Ways to Use a DIGITAL ESCAPE ROOMS in the classroom:
- Whole Group Game: Have a Fun Friday with your students. Allow students to participate using a white board or, if you have access to 1:1 iPads, I recommend Google Jamboard. As you move through the storyline, allow students to solve independently and select the correct answer as you go.
- Team Building: Looking for a way for students to build relationships in the classroom? Allow students to partner up and travel through their escape rooms together. Students can solve
- Independent Weekly Choice: Students love to review their math skills independently by using technology. Assign a digital escape room as a consistent center where students can practice a variety of skills. This escape room is easy to assign through Google Classroom. I recommend creating a Google Classroom “topic” for all math centers.
- Pull Out Group: Every teacher appreciates an extra hand in the classroom. If you’re like me, this feels easier said than done! I always felt so excited to have parents/adults volunteer in my classroom or for the day where our grade level paraprofessional was in my room but I then felt like I was scrambling weekly to provide something meaningful and easy to explain. Digital escape rooms are a PERFECT way to assign math practice that is engaging, low prep and easy for adults to support students with.
Looking to add a digital escape room to your math routine? Click here to purchase my GROWING DIGITAL ESCAPE ROOMS BUNDLE! Buy today and receive all additionally added escape rooms free of charge!
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