Multiplication Facts Escape Room - Teamwork Activity and Deep Thinking Task

BONUS: DIGITAL VERSION NOW INCLUDED! The digital version of this escape room uses Google Forms™. This provides you with the option to use this escape room for distance learning, or even on devices in the classroom.

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You were out for an evening canoe ride when you hit a rock and got a small hole in your boat! Despite your best efforts, you couldn’t stop your boat from sinking. You grabbed what you could and got to shore, only to come to the realization that you are miles away from home, soaking wet, cold, and completely alone in the woods. You panic for a moment. “This can’t possibly be happening,” you think to yourself. But then a feeling of calmness comes over you. “I can do this,” you say out loud. “I will make it home.” You look around you, notice the sun beginning to set, and wonder which way to go. You know that this will be hard, but feel confident that you can conquer the obstacles that you’ll face along the way.

Are you ready for the challenge?

Ready to take multiplication practice to a whole new level? Your students are going to LOVE this “Lost in the Woods” Escape Room-style activity where they will crack codes and work together as a team, ultimately overcoming the obstacles and making it home safely!

Your students will be completing six different challenges (or obstacles) in order to make it home.

OBSTACLE #1: BUILD A FIRE

It is getting dark and you know that you’ll need to find shelter for the night – but all you can think about is how cold you are. You need to get dry, and the only way to do that is to build a fire.

You were only able to get one match from the boat as it was sinking, so you’ll have to get the fire lit on the first try.

Put the fire puzzle together. Light the fire by finding the products and writing them in order from left to right, top to bottom.

OBSTACLE #2: FIND SHELTER

Now that you’re dry you need to find somewhere to sleep for the night. By the look of the sunset, it will be dark within the hour.

Tomorrow you can figure out how you’re going to get home.

Write the number word for the number of dots in each array. Remember to write them in order (1-10). Then solve the secret code word to find out where you slept for the night.

OBSTACLE #3: CROSS THE RIVER

It’s time to start walking home. Your sense of direction is all mixed up and you’re not sure which way is which - but the one thing you do know is that you need to cross the river. You see an old rope bridge up ahead, but it obviously hasn’t been used for awhile. As you approach it, you notice a small sign with a code on it. This bridge does not look very sturdy at all! You’d better crack the code before you cross it - just in case it’s an important message.

Crack the code to reveal the message. Then complete the task on the bridge diagram.

OBSTACLE #4: GET TO THE SHACK

Now that you’re on the other side of the river, you need to decide which way to go. You know that there is an old shack not far from where you are. If you can just make it to that shack, then you will know the exact route to get the rest of the way home.

Get through the maze and find the secret message. Then complete the task.

OBSTACLE #5: FIND FOOD

It’s been hours since you’ve last eaten and you are STARVING! There are two berry trees nearby, but you are not sure which ones are poisonous and which ones are okay to eat. As your stomach growls, you notice some pieces of paper on the floor of the shack. You have a strange feeling that the papers have something to do with the berries! All you can think about is getting some food in your stomach, so you decide to try to figure out what the papers mean.

Order the equations from smallest to largest product. Then flip over the papers to reveal the secret message.

OBSTACLE #6: GET HOME

Now that your stomach is full and you know where you are, it’s time to get home. It feels so good to finally know exactly where you are! The path home winds through the woods, but you’ve been down it a million times and could probably make it home with your eyes closed (although you’re not going to try that)! Let’s get home as quickly as possible!

Solve the equation on each task card. The answer will tell you how far to go and in which direction. Remember that the task cards must be completed in order from 1 to 16. Use the map to draw your route.

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HOW DOES THIS ESCAPE ROOM WORK?

First of all, you will put your class into small groups of about 4 students.

Each group will be responsible for solving SIX challenges (referred to as obstacles) in order to complete this “escape room.”

Each challenge will be done as a group and will involve multiplication skills.

When a group has solved a challenge, one student from the group will come to you with the “answer.” If the answer is correct, you will give him/her the next envelope (obstacle) to take back to the group and solve.

This will continue until the group has made it through all of the obstacles.

The goal for each group is to complete the Escape Room, but you may also like to have the groups compete against each other to be the first to complete it.

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