Breakout boxes, inspired by the popular “Escape the Room” activities, offer a fun and engaging way to bring gaming into the classroom. In these activities, learners are presented with a box locked by various combination locks (shapes, colors, letters, numbers, or directions). Using clues provided by the facilitator, students must solve physical and online puzzles, riddles, and mysteries to unlock the box within a set time. To succeed, students need to think creatively, collaborate, communicate, and apply critical thinking skills.

According to Breakout EDU , “Breakout EDU activities challenge students to analyze, synthesize, and apply knowledge in novel ways. They promote a ‘fail-forward’ approach, encouraging students to work through productive struggle. As a result, students develop perseverance, grit, and the ability to re-evaluate as they problem-solve.”

These activities can be used to teach core academic subjects such as math, science, history, and language arts while aligning with Common Core State Standards.

What 5th Graders Are Saying: 
“The games make you think more.”
“They make you smarter.”
“They are fun!”
“I like physically opening the locks.”
“I like reading the clues.”
“I like using different tools to solve the puzzles.”

A 5th Grade Teacher’s Perspective:
“I love collaborating with our librarian/media specialist to reinforce state standards through a hands-on activity that promotes collaboration, creativity, communication, critical thinking, responsibility, and resilience. These activities also support students who are lagging in certain skills while providing enrichment for learners who are already proficient. And, as an added bonus, the kids really enjoy them!”

The pictures here are from a fifth-grade class taught by Nathan Cariveau. The librarian who submitted the mini-grant proposal is Heidi Gieser. The students worked on solving a problem to help a friend plan her birthday party using math.