Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Oh Deer: Santa's Reindeer Need to Learn about being Kind to Others! Holiday-Themed Escape Room Adventure Lesson


Hey there! I've got an amazing story to share with you about the time I taught this incredible holiday-themed Escape Room lesson to my students. It was an absolute blast, and the impact it had on my students was beyond anything I could have imagined. So, grab a seat and get ready to be inspired!

You know how much students love Escape Rooms, right? Well, imagine combining that excitement with the magic of the holiday season. That's exactly what I did, and my students were jolly from start to finish! The lesson was all about kindness, compassion, empathy, and conflict resolution, and it was an adventure they'll never forget!

The lesson began with a twist—Santa's reindeer had somehow landed themselves on the Naughty List! As soon as my students heard that, they were determined to help the reindeer learn how to be kind to others. Split into teams, their mission was clear: guide the reindeer through a series of puzzles and challenges that highlighted the key aspects of kindness.


Frosty Feelings:

Each puzzle served a unique purpose in teaching my students valuable lessons. The first one was all about recognizing feelings, an important skill in our fast-paced world where emotions can sometimes be overlooked. To solve this puzzle, students had to match scenarios written on the bottom of a snowman with the corresponding feelings displayed on the top. Once they made the right matches, they used Santa's cipher to decode a picture on the snowman's hat. The decoded message helped them fill in the puzzle blanks with letters. 

                                              

"I" Statement Stockings:

Next up was the art of making "I" messages. This puzzle was all about effective communication and conflict resolution, empowering students to express themselves with confidence and kindness. Conflicts and misunderstandings can arise in any situation, especially during the holiday season. So, students had to match the stocking scenario to the feeling and then choose an I message that was assertive and respectful, making sure thoughts and feelings were communicated without causing harm or blame. 

                                               

Trouble in the Toy Shop:

The elves had something to say as well. Students learned to step into someone else's shoes and understand their perspective. They practiced using empathy by reading different problems and matching them with appropriate empathetic responses.  They then used Santa's Cipher to decode a hidden message. Embracing empathy helps students appreciate diverse experiences, bridge the gap between themselves and others, and foster deep connections. It promotes inclusivity and a harmonious community.

                                               

Caring Communication:

Rudolph, the lovable reindeer, shares a story about how the other reindeer had to learn the power of using caring words. In this puzzle, students have to navigate their way through a letter maze to discover the technique for using caring words. As they make their way through the maze, they uncover the letters of the THINK acronym. This acronym reminds them to think before speaking, ensuring that their words are True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind. It's a valuable lesson that encourages thoughtful and considerate communication among the students.

                                              

Time for some delicious cookies! As the teams solved each puzzle, they were rewarded with cookies from none other than Mrs. Claus herself. These cookies revealed that the true reward was not in personal gain but in selfless acts of kindness, following the Golden Rule. This activity provided a wonderful opportunity to reinforce the spirit of the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of being kind to others.

                                                

My favorite things about escape room lessons, besides the storyline adventures, are watching my students develop incredible teamwork skills. They collaborated, supported one another, and celebrated every success. It was amazing to witness the unity and friendship that grew among them. They experienced the joy of collective achievement and learned the strength that comes from working as a team. It was a lesson they'll carry with them throughout their lives.

Benefits for Students include: 

  • Empathy
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Problem-solving
  • Confidence
  • Inclusivity
  • Real-life application
  • Perspective-taking
  • Holiday spirit

Ready to Use Resource:


So, my friend, if you're looking for an unforgettable way to teach kindness, compassion, empathy, and conflict resolution, shop here for this resource:



Looking for more Holiday Escape Room Lessons? Check these out: 




Sunday, November 17, 2019

Unleash Your Inner STAR: Master Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution with an Escape Room Lesson!


The Red Carpet Revelation - Unraveling the Puzzle-filled Journey of Problem-solving:

Lights, Camera, Puzzle-solving Action! I LOVE Escape Rooms, and my students are equally captivated! It provides them with a fantastic opportunity to unleash their inner stars, collaborate as a team, and unravel puzzling challenges. What better way to cultivate problem-solving skills than by diving into the world of puzzles?

Picture this: The students are preparing to walk the illustrious red carpet. The momentous Oscars are just around the corner when they stumble upon a startling realization—something has gone awry with their film! Their mission: to revisit the Pre-Production room, Production room, Set, and Post-Production room to crack codes and unlock each clue. By applying critical thinking skills, they'll triumph over the puzzles in each room, unraveling the steps to problem-solving and earning their own coveted Hollywood Star of Fame! In this captivating lesson that combines fun, teamwork, and cooperation, every student gets a taste of stardom while learning the STAR problem-solving method.

Lights, Camera, Puzzle-solving Action: 

Following my instructions using a PowerPoint presentation for visual learners, the students formed small groups and embarked on puzzle-solving adventures. Each group aimed to decode the meaning of STAR in problem-solving while piecing together a final puzzle. I equipped each group with a director's decoder—a tool to translate images and unlock the answers. They were given four puzzles before solving the final one.

  1. In the Pre-Production Room, students navigated a maze, deciphering images along the path to forge a way forward. Utilizing these images, they filled in the blanks, STAR Problem-Solvers STOP to understand the problem, earning a piece of the final puzzle. 
  2. Moving to the Production Room, students edited out scenes with negative attitudes, concentrating on having a positive attitude. Once decoded, these scenes contributed letters to complete another piece of the final puzzle. STAR Problem-Solvers have a positive attitude to help THINK of different solutions.
  3. Next came the On Set Room, where students scrutinized problem-solving scenarios, selecting the best solutions. They utilized the director's decoder to reveal picture answers. Filling in the blanks, STAR Problem-Solvers ACT! They choose a solution to try, and receive another piece of the final puzzle. 
  4. Finally, in the Post-Production Room, students reconstructed the sequence of scenes that resolved the problem, decoding images in each scene with the Director’s Decoder. Once they presented their answer, STAR Problem-Solvers REVIEW the results of their solutions and choose another solution if the first one does not work, they received their last piece for the final puzzle.

The ultimate challenge to escape relies upon decoding the acronym for STAR problem-solving: Stop, Think, Act, Review! As the students assembled their puzzle pieces, a remarkable revelation awaited them—a chance to claim their very own Hollywood star!

Shining Bright like a Hollywood Star - Empowering Students with Problem-solving Skills:

    Benefits for Students:

    • Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Through engaging in the Hollywood Movie star-themed Escape Room lesson, students have the opportunity to unleash their inner stars and sharpen their problem-solving abilities. By applying critical thinking skills and deciphering puzzles in each room, they learn the essential steps of problem-solving through the STAR method (Stop, Think, Act, Review).
    • Collaboration and Teamwork: The Escape Room activity encourages students to collaborate as a team, fostering effective communication, cooperation, and shared decision-making. Working together to unravel puzzling challenges, students learn the value of teamwork and how it contributes to overall success.
    • Increased Engagement and Fun: The captivating nature of the Hollywood Movie star-themed Escape Room lesson keeps students captivated and excited about learning. By incorporating elements of storytelling, film, and stardom, the lesson becomes an immersive and enjoyable experience that sparks their imagination and enthusiasm.
    • Critical Thinking and Decision-Making: The lesson prompts students to think critically and evaluate various problem-solving scenarios. By analyzing situations and selecting the best solutions, students develop their critical thinking skills and become more adept at making informed decisions.
    • Positive Attitude and Mindset: The Production Room segment of the Escape Room activity focuses on editing out scenes with negative attitudes and fostering a positive mindset. Students learn the importance of maintaining a positive attitude when faced with challenges, enabling them to approach problems with optimism and resilience.

      Benefits for Counselors/Teachers:

      • Engaging and Interactive Teaching Method: The Hollywood Movie star-themed Escape Room lesson provides teachers with a dynamic and interactive teaching approach that captures students' attention and keeps them actively involved in the learning process. This experiential activity promotes student engagement and participation.
      • Effective Differentiation: By forming small groups and assigning them different puzzles to solve, teachers can easily differentiate instruction to accommodate varying learning styles and abilities. Students can work at their own pace, and the teacher can provide targeted support and guidance as needed.
      • Integration of Technology: The use of a PowerPoint presentation in the lesson leverages technology to enhance the learning experience. It caters to visual learners and adds an element of excitement and intrigue to the activity.
      • Promotion of Key Skills and Life Lessons: The Escape Room lesson not only focuses on problem-solving skills but also emphasizes the significance of collaboration, critical thinking, decision-making, and maintaining a positive attitude. Teachers can highlight these important life skills and reinforce their value throughout the lesson.
      • Memorable and Meaningful Learning Experience: The Hollywood Movie star-themed Escape Room lesson creates a memorable and meaningful learning experience for both students and teachers. By connecting the lesson to the glamorous world of Hollywood and offering students a chance to claim their own Hollywood star, it adds an element of excitement and achievement to the classroom environment.

      Ready to Use Resource:



      Don't miss out on this engaging and empowering lesson that combines fun, collaboration, and the magic of problem-solving in a Hollywood-worthy adventure! Shop here for this resource:  



      Looking for a similar Problem-Solving Lesson? Check this STAR Problem-Solving Lesson out! It has the same theme but is not an Escape Room.