Description
13 Colonies Escape Room Activity
The 13 Colonies Escape Room gives students a chance to get out of their seats and solve clues! This escape room activity covers the following topics: New England colonies, Middle colonies, Southern colonies, Jamestown and cash crops. No prior knowledge is needed. I prefer to use this as an introduction activity but it could be used for review of a unit as well.
What’s Included?
✅ Four half page reading passages
✅ Four decoders
✅ Questions for each passage (multiple choice, fill in the blank and true/false)
✅ Teacher directions
✅ Answer key
✅ Student directions
✅ Hint cards
✅ How to decode puzzles
✅ How to save time if the activity is taking too long
✅ Words to know: A glossary of terms
Students will practice reading comprehension and critical thinking skills to solve puzzles. Each clue will reveal interesting facts about the 13 Colonies.
You do NOT need a lock! You do NOT need envelopes! You do NOT have to cut out puzzle pieces! This product is meant to make your life easy! Just print and go!
Please look at the preview to determine if this resource/reading level works for your age group. Younger students may need some help with some of the more difficult clues (hint cards and how to). Students have to answer questions about each passage to ensure understanding.
Students may work individually, with a partner or in small groups to solve four puzzles in order to determine the final code. I prefer partner work for best results!
An answer key and easy to follow teacher directions are provided.
Time needed: 45-60 minutes (it really all depends on your students reading skills)
You can decide how much time your students have to complete the activity. Maybe some students don’t finish, but that’s OK! They still learned something new! I often stop once the first three students solve all the clues. Time management strategies are included.
Basic subtraction skills are needed, a calculator may be used if needed.
Example: 1629-1624=5
tara G. –
This was so fun and engaging – the students enjoyed every second of it!
Jenna A. –
My students loved this activity! They were very engaged in the lesson and it allowed them to work collaboratively with peers!
The Teacher’s Spot –
Such a great resource for the kids to learn more about the colonies. They really enjoyed it!
Victoria Hippler –
My students loved this activity! We will definitely use it again!
Miss E’s Explorations –
This was a fun activity. We used this at the end of our colonies unit as a fun review activity!
Nikki W. –
My students loved this resource!
Stephanie B. –
My students loved it ! They were thoroughly engaged and cannot wait to get their decoder sheets! Please make more I will be buying them!
Kathryn W. –
Great Resource
Karen H. –
Similar to other mystery type assignments kids have done. They loved solving the puzzles while reading and interacting with content.
Amy A. –
Thank you.
Lori L. –
My students loved this during morning work. My students were engaged with this activity.
Emily R. –
My students loved this resource. I actually used it to introduce the 13 Colonies and they did an incredible job with it. The resource is very well thought out and super engaging for students.
Nikki B. –
Excellent product! Thanks
ann M. –
What a fun way to learn! I had my students work with a partner and everyone was engaged from beginning to end. Such a great activity!
chris G. –
Well worth the money. My kids had so much fun they begged for more!