Hi #scitlap! Checking in tonight through the power of scheduled Tweets, but looking forward to reading the feed later! Megan, 8th science & co-founder of #122edchat, D122 in Oak Lawn, IL. My favorite escape is currently make-up videos on YouTube...embarrassing? Maybe.
I'm Meggan & will be hosting tonight! I teach 8th grade science & serve as my campus science instructional coach. My favorite breakout is probably Shawshank Redemption! #scitlap
A1: I have designed two of my own @breakoutEDU lessons, one of which was created for 200+ students. I've also borrowed a digital breakout from a member of my PLN. #scitlap
A1) Breakout: Have participated in Digital and real. Have not designed one. Took a couple of sessions during Google Summit that helped me wrap head around trying though... #scitlap
A2: Ss don't feel like they are "learning" or being assessed when they're involved in these activities, yet there is so much room for both. The engagement level is through the roof! #scitlap
Start with the sandbox https://t.co/BN0lqVEw92 or facebook group. They have one for science and for general ed. Starting with a pre-built is a good entry point. #scitlap
A2 Breakout boxes and escape rooms are a great non-traditional form of assessment. Easy for educators to tell who really isn't comprehending. #iwanttodoone#wedonthaveone#scitlap
A3: Backwards design. Start with the end in mind, then work back from there to create your clues. And make sure to do some test runs to find any kinks or loopholes! #scitlap
A2: I love how they cause the Ss to mix content knowledge with grit and problem-solving skills. I have had Ss go home to finish it if they didn't get out at school even though it wasn't assigned. #scitlap
A3 Do an escape room in the mall or similar experience. Also look through a bunch of ones others have made for ideas. For me planning takes months. #scitlap
A3: I give my Ss 3 "chips" that they can use to ask for a clue. It makes them think about it before asking for help. When their chips are gone they can't ask anymore. #scitlap
Where mine is digital I don't. I think to do it I would have to create 2 similar google sites so that there were different clues. Some are easy to change, but most are built into the activity. #scitlap
In reply to
@SueAtSea, @crawfordscience, @daleyscience
A4: The best @breakoutEDU have a clear real-world connection that Ss are genuinely interested in. Include nods to their favorite movies, books, even memes to keep their attention. #scitlap
A4) Perhaps start with a "break in" of only one question. Or "break out" like an exit ticket. Related to the day's content. OR today it would've been cool to have the eclipse streaming on the board and that would take Ss to a "breakout" problem.... #scitlap
A4 I think these are easier to do and create with a partner to talk it through. Find someone else, even if not your content (our librarian, for instance) to work through it with #scitlap
Not forever but it is involved and well worth it. Brainstorm ideas and look at other breakouts. Gather materials and see what you can come up with. #scitlap
A4: For digital ones here is a list of activities you can embed into the activity. It is a good place to start as you figure out what to use: https://t.co/JevpY8ZoUn#scitlap
A4 Backwards design, MAKE NOTES, don't make your clues linear. You want different groups to solve different parts of the break out simultaneously. You don't want to have to do clue 1, then 2, etc. #scitlap
A4: I wondere how you keep everything organized. Also, I see some of you mentioned 15 or 30 min. How many locks/breakout. I guess I am thinking too grandiose. #scitlap
A5: I created a @breakoutEDU at the end of an Anatomy unit where my "med Ss" were give a Case File of a patient w/ a mystery disease. There were clues all around the room to help them diagnose, leading them to a syringe of antidote locked in the final box. #scitlap
A5B: I even created a GMail account that the "med Ss" shared, where they found an important message from the lead doctor! Next time, I might even have another T email that account in real time to provide more clues. #scitlap
I was able to build my last one in just a few hours. I usually have 4 locks: a color, a number, a direction and a word. Keep in mind where you want to go and build to that. Also sooo helpful to pair up with someone and build together. #scitlap
I like to have clues that give you ideas of where to find more clues. Also including red herrings is fun. I had one say, "you earned a cookie". Ss spent so much time trying to figure out what they were supposed to do with the virtual cookie. #scitlap
I don't include red herrings on purpose anymore. Ss find their own. I put a box in a box and Ss FLIPPED when they thought they were done and weren't. #scitlap
A5 Okay, I started a few days before talking nonchalantly about a giant electromagnet affecting the classroom doors. A few days later, a fake news article, some loud sound effects, epic panicking acting skills, and boom Magnetism Breakout!! #scitlap
A6: It's important to group students ahead of time to ensure full participation. @breakoutEDU activities, IMO, should never be completed alone. Have a conversation about being inclusive prior to the lesson. #scitlap
A6 Emphasize how all voices need to be heard and considered to solve clues. Having clues that require different skills/knowledge helps inclusion too. #scitlap
I agree with grouping Ss beforehand. Particularly there 1st couple of times. My least successful group was probably due to my Ss placement. #scitlap#lessonlearned
In reply to
@daleyscience, @megan_hacholski, @breakoutEDU
A7: The @breakoutEDU website has some great pre-made lessons, but I prefer to create them myself based on the group of kids I have. Twitter is hands-down the best place for advice or creative theme ideas. #scitlap
I haven't. I believe if you buy the boxes you get a subscription of awhile...or at least that is what I think my librarian said @Library_Krueger#scitlap
As I am reading some of this, and the list of activities shared by @PerkyScience, I was reminded of LearningApps. https://t.co/aBNFrNeBdW The Puzzle one allows you to create a crossword with a message revealed by solving it. #scitlap
A6: I think it is good to have a conversation that perhaps not everyone will break-out. I don't think I have had 100% since the first one that was too easy. Breakouts are a good way for Ss to learn that struggle is a good thing & success can be celebrated along the way. #scitlap
A6: I do use hint cards, Ss who have solved can give hints/help as they see need, I make small groups but they can collaborate. Not sure how what challenges will be with escape room scenarios. #scitlap
A7: The @breakoutEDU website has some great pre-made lessons, but I prefer to create them myself based on the group of kids I have. Twitter is hands-down the best place for advice or creative theme ideas. #scitlap
Oooo. thanks, I am adding it to my list of resources! There are so many. One of my favorites used a google slide with shapes that you moved to reveal the color code when they were in the right order based on what they were covering. So many possibilities. #scitlap
For simple warm-up type breakouts try @MetaverseApp if your kids have access to devices. They have many already made and they aren't that hard to make on your own. or copy and adapt a pre-made. #scitlap
Plus keep in mind the digital ones usually don't have to be linear. The Ss can solve one part and then a different part in any order. They can leave and come back. Start with a scenario/theme and then build from there. #scitlap
ugh. That's pretty pricey in my world. Maybe if you were facilitating breakouts for multiple classes/grade levels. Otherwise, I don't think you would use it enough to justify. #scitlap
A8/CTA: I'm looking forward to reading the feed & everyone's ideas later, but my hope is to have a new lesson idea sparked! Would love to try an escape room style lesson. #scitlap
I have and am trying to wrap my brain around how to make it work using just the free version. It limits the number of teams. Klikaklu https://t.co/FK3iNxj006 is another one I want to try. it is cheeper if you decide to pay for more teams. #scitlap
We are looking for a #scitlap host next week. Lest you think you can't do it... I've done much of this from my phone, in the car after my run group :) Let me know if you are interested (for 2/7 or a future week) #scitlap
