Christmas Escape Room: Print & Digital: Reading Comprehension, Puzzles

In this Christmas escape room activity, teams work together to solve the word puzzles, reading comprehension puzzles, ciphers, and cryptograms . Using critical thinking skills students' uncover codes to open the locks. This low-prep activity gets them thinking as they solve the puzzles and clues. Print and digital versions are included. Rescue the Reindeer. Puzzles are standards-based and student centered.

Fred is a gingerbread man like no other. He was made without sugar, so he’s mean and bitter and he’s kidnapped Santa's reindeer to try and stop Christmas. There are six puzzles. Each puzzle will lead students to a key – all six keys are required to save Christmas. There are two versions the Escape Room in both print and Easel digital – for maximum differentiation.

Option 2 is for striving readers (I’m trying to move from “struggling” readers.) The digital version on Easel and is one amazing platform – no switching between Google slides and Google forms. It is very player friendly. The print version requires you, or someone, to be the puzzle master. When students finish a puzzle, they show it to the puzzle master for verification and to receive their key.

There are six puzzles. Each puzzle will lead students to a key – all six keys are required to save Christmas. There are two versions of each puzzle - print and Easel digital. The digital is one platform – no switching between Google slides and Google forms. It is very player friendly. The print version requires you, or someone, to be the puzzle master. When students finish a puzzle, they show it to the puzzle master for verification and to receive their key. The digital is very using friendly and self-contained.

How to Play Digital: Group students. Students may also work individually. Hand out one Escape Room Notes sheet per person. The Notes sheet is for students to work through the locks. After opening each lock, an image of a key with a word will appear. Students will write the word on their notes sheet because they will need it to open the sixth and final lock. Again, the code to open the sixth and final lock is, one word at a time, in each key. Easel is an easy, intuitive and wonderful platform. I recommend you walk through this escape room as a student. This is the best way to anticipate your student’s need.

How to Play Print: Put students into groups of three or four. Students may also play individually. Hand out one Escape Room instruction notes page per student. Students will work through the puzzles in order. After they complete each puzzle – they will bring the puzzle solution to the puzzle master. If the puzzle is correct, they will get a “key card.” After they’ve solved each puzzle, they will bring the final solution to the puzzle master. If it correct, they win. To save paper – you may print the “Notes” page and use the uploaded Google Slides instead of printing packets – but this Google Version is not “Playable” like the Easel version is.

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