About This Lesson
Subjects
- Math
Time
- 30-60 minutes
Skills
- Collaboration
- Logical Reasoning
- Problem-solving
Learning Objective/Goal:
- Apply mathematical concepts to solve problems.
- Develop teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Enhance logical thinking and reasoning abilities.
- Solve puzzles and challenges to complete a task with peers
Materials Needed:
- Envelopes or folders for clues
- Whiteboard and markers
- Scratch paper and pencils
- Math worksheets with problems related to the clues
- Timer
- Optional: Reward for completion (certificates, candy, etc.)
Background
- This scavenger hunt is designed to take place on school grounds where students can have a break from the classroom, while still practicing their math skills. It can be easily modified based on location, duration (adding or taking away tasks), and students' current level.
Activity
Setup:
- Read the prompts and modify them to fit your situation
- Print out the clues and place them around the room - they can be in creative spots but students must be able to find them
- Optional: Decorate the room based on the scenario, or add a physical lock for them to solve or break out of
- decide how much time students get to “break out” and have a timer ready.
Introduction (5 minutes):
- Hook: Present a scenario where the students are "locked" in a room and must solve math problems to escape.
- Explain: The rules and objectives of the breakout room.
- Optional: Divide students into small groups (3-4 per group) or allow them to work together as a whole group.
- Present the instruction slide on the board.
- Start the timer.
Breakout Session:
- Students will engage in solving segments of the code, likely making notes on scratch paper.
- If students encounter challenges that hinder their progress, they may exhibit frustration, potentially disrupting others or expressing annoyance.
- Upon collecting all components of the code, students attempt to unlock the designated lockbox. Successfully opening it signifies their breakout from the room.
- Distribute rewards as applicable.
Debrief:
- Review the solutions to the mathematical problems collectively.
- Assist students in resolving any lingering difficulties.
- Have a class discussion to reflect on the experience, highlighting positive aspects and identifying areas for potential improvement.
Extra
Tips for Students:
- Communicate effectively with your team.
- Even if you encounter challenging problems, maintain a positive attitude and keep trying. Persistence often pays off in problem-solving activities.
- Double-check your work to avoid simple mistakes.
- Stay Focused: Concentrate on one problem at a time. If you get stuck, take a moment to re-read the problem or discuss possible strategies with your group.
Tips for Teachers:
- Ensure each station is well-organized and the clues are clear.
- Monitor the groups to provide hints if they are struggling too much.
- Incorporate elements from other subjects, such as science or history, into the riddles.
Extensions:
- Create more advanced problems for students to solve, such as multi-step problems or word problems
- Use tablets or computers to provide digital clues and problems.
- Incorporate more complex logic puzzles that require critical thinking and pattern recognition.
- Design clues that require input from multiple stations or groups to solve a final challenge.
