Want to get your students more engaged right off the bat? This BACK TO SCHOOL themed CRACK THE CODE is sure to do just that! Your students will be challenged as they use their creativity, communication skills, and collaboration abilities in order to complete this engaging breakout!
Breakouts are very similar to scavenger hunts. Students need to solve different puzzles and clues in order to Crack the Code and earn a special (printable) badge. Here is a closer look at how the Back to School Crack the Code breakout works!
In this breakout, students will be solving 6 different challenges. The challenges include reading passages, solving math problems, using a letter decoder to decode secret messages in Morse Code, and participating in a stem activity. There is a recording sheet included which students can use to show their work for each question and then submit at the end of the activity!
Because it is the beginning of the year and students are still learning classroom expectations, I would HIGHLY suggest doing this Crack the Code as a WHOLE CLASS and guiding students through the process. This might involve the teacher selecting students to locate clue cards and reading the clue cards together as a class. As a class students can also discuss different ways students they feel that the challenges should be solved, and really work through the entire process TOGETHER.
PRINTABLE BADGE (tip): When students complete the entire Crack the Code they will earn this printable badge! Students have fun collecting badges throughout the school year for every month they Crack the Code! I recommend allowing students to keep a string with all of their badges hanging in the classroom. At the end of the school year students can bring their necklace of badges home!
Grades 1-5 are included, as well as several options for clue cards so you can differentiate to meet the needs of your exact class! I also love this resource because if you change grade levels you can still use this activity!!!
The only additional supplies you will need in addition to printing the resource are plain white paper and small pieces of tape!
Included are…
- Directions
- Clue Cards
- Tips and Tricks
- Student Recording Sheet
- Teacher Answer Sheet
- Printable Badge upon completion of the activity
- Introduction Slide (in Google Slides)
If you enjoy this activity then definitely check out the CRACK THE CODE GROWING BUNDLE click HERE !
This bundle includes crack the codes for the ENTIRE school year! Grades 1-5 are included for each crack the code.
