6th Grade Translating & Evaluating Expressions + Order of Operations Escape Room

Evaluating expressions with exponents and interpreting numerical and algebraic expressions is the focus of this engaging 6th grade math digital escape room. Students race to find the Mayan treasure by matching word problems with expressions including variables that can be used to solve them. Next they translate Mayan numbers to evaluate expressions with parentheses and exponents for a given value of a variable. This requires careful attention to using order of operations. After this, students find themselves in a hallway with three doors to choose. Can they translate a verbal expression into a numerical or algebraic expression to choose the correct path? A final order of operations challenge has students evaluating expressions to reach the treasure.

This engaging sixth grade math activity is great for practice, review, enrichment, or test prep. The story line moves students through four challenging puzzles to help students protect the treasure of the Maya.

This Mayan themed escape room is automated by a Google Form™ and can be completed by anyone with a device and internet connection. Google accounts are not required! Based on 6th grade math standards 6.EE.A.1 and 6.EE.A.2, this activity is extremely easy to implement, self-checking, and engaging! It can be used by students individually or in small groups both for in-person or virtual learning.

In order to complete the challenges, students must be able to:

• Use order of operations to solve equations with brackets and parentheses. Whole number exponents are included (only positive whole numbers are used in this escape room).
• Interpret numerical and algebraic expressions. Students will not write numerical expressions, but will choose which expression matches a word problem or written expression such as 5 times the sum of 6 and b is the same is 5(6+b)
• Solve simple ciphers
• Read clues carefully

Included in the PDF

• Quickstart guide
• Link to Google Forms™ escape room
• Optional link to save a a copy of the form to your own Google Drive™
• Optional paper versions of the puzzles for students to show their work (these supplement the digital version and are not a stand-alone printable product)
• Answer Key
• Teacher Tips
• Optional Success Signs

FAQ

• Do students need to have Gmail™ accounts? NO! Anyone with internet access and a tablet, computer, or even phone can complete the breakout. The escape room is automated by a Google Form™, but does not require the teacher or students to have Google™ accounts.
• How long will this take? That is the hardest question as the answer varies depending on each classroom, student, or groups. Some students will be able to complete the activity in 30 minutes or less, others will take an hour. The form will only save student data if students are logged in to Google accounts, so if you are worried about your students not finishing on time, simply have them write their answers on scratch paper. They can then come back and quickly re-enter their answers and pick up where they left off.
• Will students have to search the web to figure out the puzzles? NO! All of the information needed will be provided in the Google Form™. The math in this activity is all standards-based.
• Can this be used for distance learning? Yes! Digital escape rooms are perfect for in-person, virtual, or hybrid models!

Digital escape rooms are great for providing engaging skills practice, reviewing for test prep, or having a quick plan for a sub. This activity encourages student engagement and cooperative learning.

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