Collaboration and Critical Thinking Breakout

Funded Sep 14, 2016

We can't not express enough thanks for funding our Break Out boxes! We have used them several times and are developing more ways to utilize them throughout all subject areas. We continue to use these materials to work on critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication as students solve integrated problems. With the materials, we have even been able to spread them over our whole fourth grade team, impacting even more students!

We recently used them to conclude a read-aloud and introduce our new book. Students integrated science, math and reading skills as they worked in teams to solve five different locks. They used their knowledge and research skills to answer fox trivia questions that led them to questions about omnivores and a journal entry with a math problem. From there, they unlocked a 3-digit code that contained another clue with synonyms to a 4-digit number lock and a UV flashlight where they investigated fox photographs to discover a 5-letter word code. Students used a two-layer code to realize parts of a fox picture were hidden around the room that they had to find to get a key to one of the locks. They also had to critically read another journal article to discover a series of directions that unlocked their final directional lock. Throughout the whole investigation, students worked on communicating with each other and taking risks. Watching how they have grown in their ability to share materials and discuss their thinking with each other was amazing! Some students that do not really participate in class activities, really love doing these! One of my quieter students solve a part of code and watching her share it with her team was worth everything!

After the break-out we debriefed about what went well and not so well. While they missed breaking all the codes with only seconds to spare, the students discussed how they felt their teamwork has improved. They felt more comfortable making mistakes and that they said it really supported a growth mindset, something else we are working on this year. They felt more willing to make mistake and take risks since they could just try the code again. We celebrated these amazing growth behaviors and discussed how they would like to continue working on communicating with each other so that everyone feels involved. The students said they enjoyed physically have locks to open as it made solving the clues more exciting. They felt they had really accomplished something when the lock clicked! These materials help create engaging activities where students are really strengthening their critical thinking and problem solving skills. Watching how far they have come with these much needed skills is so inspiring!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Foster