BreakoutEDU

IDEAS for Breakouts

(In no particular order).

• 1. Wooden maze to hide a key (use the magnet for this)

  2. Circuits

  3. Beebots

  4. QR Codes

A. https://webqr.com/ (to read qr codes)

B. QRstuff.com (to create a QR code)

5. Aurasma app..Android and iPad (now called HP Reveal)

6. Online puzzle (be careful of ghost mode, where they can see the entire pic without doing the puzzle)

7. Chess

8. Codes: Morse code (print image on the right), Pigpen Cipher, 

9. Crossword puzzles

10. Word Search in different shapes (only one shape matters)      You can customize the letters in it!   Example of how to use this: Only use every third letter. Start at the top, work left to right.

11. Riddles

12. Premade games..sandbox

13. 101 Best ideas

14. Breakout blog for education

15. Endless possibilities

16. Use a video and use the TIME the video ends as a code. Leave a clue pointing Ss to the time. Example: A famous speech ends at 2:28---code is 228

17. Snotes

A. Several words hidden together

18. Picture with Hotspots (Use Google Drawings)

19. Google Forms...use Response Validation

• • • Short Answer

      • Mark Required

      • 3 ice cream scoops→Response Validation and Description

    • Multiple Choice

      • Mark Required

      • 3 ice cream scoops→Go To Section Based On Answer

    • Settings cog→Presentation Tab→Add Confirmation Message which can be a clue or link to the next puzzle!

Don't Forget the Debrief!!

Plan 5-10 minutes to debrief the activity.  Get students talking about 21st Century Skills.

Padlet of possible debrief questions

Template to make your own debrief cards

Modifications

1. To make a game easier...

   1. leave out a lock and the clues that go with it.

   2. color code the papers for each group. (Ex. blue papers are for the blue group.)

   3. Put each clue in an envelope. Put all envelopes in a gallon sized baggie. Give each group their own baggie full of clues. Each group can only pull out one envelope at a time. Once they complete that task, they can open another envelope.

   4. Allow for more than two hints per game per group.

   5. Larger group size. The more the merrier.

2. To make a game more difficult...

   1. Cut up clues and either hide them in the room or put them in one of the boxes.

   2. Use fewer students, like 3-4 in a group. Fewer hands makes more work.

3. Use  more than two boxes per group! Buy and use the Dollar Store boxes. For a few bucks, you can have three boxes per group. You can hide parts to a puzzle in two of the three boxes.

4. Only one kit???

   1. Assign a Lock Smith to each lock. One student is assigned to open each lock.

   2. Put several pieces of tape on the floor about a foot or two apart from the large box. Students must stand behind the line and wait their turn.  Helps avoid spying and "copying from a neighbor."

   3. Only students with the “magic lanyard” can try a lock. One lanyard per group.

5. Don't have 45 minutes?

   1. Take out the clues for a lock or two. This will simplify the game and reduce the time needed to breakout.

Management

• 4-6 players in a team works well. Personally, I find that 5 is the ideal number.

• Either let students know that they can only open one lock or assign students a lock to open. Some teachers call this person the "Lock Smith." One teacher builds into the game introduction certain jobs for each character (aka. student). Each character is assigned a certain lock to unlock. Reduce fighting over locks. Another idea is to use the "magic lanyard." Teachers who have been to a bunch of conferences/workshops will probably have these lying around. Let's put them to good use. Only the student with the lanyard may open a lock. When that person successfully opens a lock, they pass the lanyard to another student.

Styles of Play

1. Whole group

   1. Non-linear or Linear/Clues can overlap

2. Teams

   1. Non-linear or Linear/Clues can overlap

3. Rotation/Station

   1. Linear, no clues overlap

4. All physical, all digital, or Hybrid

Other Info

• How to fix a directional lock

• If a multi letter/digit lock gets locked, use exacto knife to cut along the line of one wheel. Pull that ring off. Slide other rings over until all red lines line up.