The determined Churchville Elementary School second-graders in teacher Kristen Ockrins’ class weren’t going to let any sneaky leprechaun get the better of them. They wanted the hidden treasure in the magical box. Those multiple locks weren’t going to keep them out. In order to open the locked box, they had to decipher a series of clues in the form of tricky math problems. They couldn’t wait to get started.
A fun math class? Filled with young learners excited about working together to solve math problems? What’s going on here?
“We’re using the concept of escape rooms to make learning more dynamic,” said Churchville-Chili Instructional Coach Andrea Lynch. “It works great in elementary school math classrooms, like this. Escape rooms also work in high school psychology classrooms and middle school science classrooms. Our district teachers are adapting the model to be used at all grade levels and for all subjects.”
The traditional escape room is a kind of scavenger hunt. It features a series of puzzles or riddles that players, working in teams, solve in order to win the ultimate challenge.
“In the escape room format, students learn how to collaborate,” said Lynch. “They have to, in order to accomplish the objective within the time limit. It’s fascinating to see them become a cohesive team, focused on a goal. They take responsibility for their own learning. They use each other’s strengths, respect their differences, and help each other along.”
Meanwhile, the adult educators in Ockrin’s class moved among the student teams, guiding and empowering them to find their own answers. As math problems were solved, one after the other, the individuals on each team grew in confidence. The experience was giving them much more than a mastery of math.
“That’s the point,” said Lynch. “Yes, we’re teaching required math skills in a way that is fun, meaningful, memorable and student-driven. But we’re also helping them build critical life skills: problem solving, creative thinking, collaboration and teamwork.”
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