Thinking Inside the Box

This week, students were able to participate in the ultimate live Breakout EDU experience, using teamwork and critical thinking to complete a "mission", solving a series of challenging puzzles related to a recent novel study in order to open a locked box of treasure. For those not familiar with Breakout EDU, they are similar to "escape room" experiences. 

Breakout EDU games can be used in a variety of ways, including introducing a new topic or concept, for strengthening learning, delving deeper into topics, or for thinking critically about literature (which was the purpose of this week's Breakout EDU). The games provide a student-centered learning experience where students use critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication to problem-solve and own their learning, apply their understanding of new content or even discover it. One of the best aspects of these games is that they provide students with many opportunities to fail forward.  Every unsuccessful attempt to solve a puzzle and open a lock forces the player to try again. These Wild Robot (novel by Peter Brown) fans were determined to complete their mission within the allotted 45-minute timeframe. The first team broke the codes within 34 minutes and the second team broke them within 36 minutes - both teams setting a Spofford record!  It was just as thrilling for us to observe as it was for students to participate - they were supporting one another as learners and persevering through the more difficult aspects of the challenge. Student feedback:  "Please, can we do another one soon?"  You can bet we will and next time, we'll level up! 

Special thanks to Mrs. Kosakowski, our digital literacy specialist, for putting together this special mission for our students. There will definitely be more to come!

This week's guest bloggers reflect on their first live Breakout EDU experience. Enjoy.

I think we should have listened to more people's ideas because sometimes I heard people on our team say, "No, that's not going to work." We should have been saying instead, "Sure, let's try that."   - @Horse321

If we had to do this again, my team should have split up the tasks and have some kids look for clues while others solved the puzzles. My team had good leadership. I guess teamwork does make the dream work. A shout-out to @Dream who was really helpful finding the clues!   - @PickleKitty

I want to give a shout-out to @Swagger_25 because during the Breakout, he was helping everyone out and being both a team player and a leader.    - @M&M

I think that my team did well with the breakout. We collaborated well and shared our thinking with each other. I would just like to say that @Lightning24 and others rounded the group and said, "Come on, we can do this guys!" and "Stay with me!" By working together as a team, we were able to open all of the locks and get to the prize. This shows that if you try super hard and don't give up, you can succeed.  - @Pineapple

The next time we do this, I think we could be better about thinking about our answers to the clues, especially when we are given a clue from the teacher. We shouldn't just be guessing, we should be thinking.    - @Chickadee

@Polly had lots of great ideas. She encouraged others and she really helped our team be successful. She looked for clues and helped solve puzzles. She was doing it all. She never gave up, even when no one was listening to her and she had the right answer. She won it for our team.   - @Galaxy

I think @Swagger_25 was being a good leader because when he started helping us, I felt like we could do it. He really pulled the group together. Also, @PickleKitty was really helpful, too. We were able to open all of the locks and beat the clock!   - @Dream

I think my team could improve by letting everybody do something to contribute. A lot of the time, my team had one person doing the work and others weren't able to do anything. It would be good if we all talked before we started so that we could figure out how we could all participate equally.   - @Zombie

My advice to another class who wants to do this is to never give up! When my team was struggling, we would stop and review what we did that was wrong. That was very helpful. We also encouraged each other and we felt like a team. - EarthySmurf

If I were to give advice to another class who wanted to do this, I would say: Always have fun, be kind, don't be bossy, and do your best to collaborate. Also, listen to others and share your thinking.    - @Flash4

I want to give a shout-out to @Venom. He was really positive and really cooperative during this experience. He worked really hard and suggested that we divide and conquer so that we could complete the challenge. His thinking was far outside the box and he had some great ideas.    - @TheBeeGuy101

If I were to give advice to another class who wanted to do a breakout, I would tell them that they should listen, share ideas, and work as a team.   - @Strawberry

I think our team could have collaborated better. Some people weren't letting others have a go at the puzzles. Everyone should be able to participate equally. Also, I felt like my team could have broke out faster if we remembered that we were racing the clock, not the other team.   - @Pickle03

If I were to give advice to another class who wanted to do this, it would be to use teamwork, perseverance, kindness, and leadership. You have to support your team at all times. If they take this advice, they will be a good team and succeed.  - @Mac

If I were to give advice to another class who wanted to do a breakout, I would say, "Teamwork and listening to others is the way to have a successful game even if you don't win."    - @Lightning24

If I were to give advice to another class about this game, I would say WORK TOGETHER. Seriously, I wasn't doing enough of this. If it weren't for my awesome teammates, we wouldn't have cracked the codes.  @Cheeto111

I want to give a shout-out to @Polly and it's not because she is my friend. It's because she was so positive and was always focused on trying to solve each puzzle. Thanks for being a leader, @Polly!  - @Ham

I want to give a shout-out to @Pineapple and @WowWriter. They helped our team find clues and helped us work together. They made the mission fun.   - @Lonnie

I want to give a shout-out to my whole group. We worked as a great team!! I want to point out that @Lightning24 really helped our group. He completed an online puzzle, but he let others help him.  - @WowWriter

I want to give a shout-out to @Swagger_25 for holding the group together and reminding everyone that "We can do this!"    - @Giraffe

A member of our team who really collaborated well and was positive was @Polly. She was in it to win it the whole time. She was very focused and she worked hard even when we were stuck. Also, she didn't get frustrated when time was running out - she thought outside the box and persevered.   - @Wolverine12

I want to give a shout-out to my whole team, but especially @BeeGuy101 and @Elizabeth_Schuyler. They both showed leadership and never gave up. Our group worked together really well together and had a lot of fun.   - @Koala333

If we were to do another breakout, I would include more people in the mission. Not everyone in the group was participating and I think everyone wanted to. It works better when everyone gets to participate.   - @Polly

If we were to do this again, I think teams should pay less attention to the locks and more attention to the actual clues. Also, if you want to succeed, the whole team has to work together.    - @Venom

I want to give a shout-out to @Polly. @Polly worked really hard for our team, she never gave up, and she was never bossy. She was a really good leader. I would love to do this again with her.    - @G-Money

My team could have collaborated better. Instead of saying things like "I want to do it!" we could have been saying "Let's work together!". Even I think I could work on that.   - @Elizabeth_Schuyler