Gamification is a technique used by educators to apply game design elements to learn or reinforce educational concepts. I’ve been playing around with this idea, particularly in the form of ESCAPE ROOMS! Let’s take a look at both printable and digital Escape Room possibilities!

Truthfully, Escape Rooms can be time consuming to set up. And typically, can only be used once with a set of students. As the creator, you need to determine the terms, skills, or concepts that you want to cover, as well as clever riddles, games, or puzzles. I like using a combination of poems/riddles, crossword puzzles/word searches, cryptograms or hidden messages, and other hidden elements. I find it best to include as few instructions for the students as possible…. But copious notes and hints on the Teacher’s Guide. If you’ve ever experienced a true Escape Room, you know that you are often locked in the room with your mission and very few instructions. Part of the challenge is figuring out what to do with the information you find! The same is true for education Escape Rooms.

Let me show you two that I’ve created just for you!

Lock #1 Sightreading Cipher: Students will listen to the provided 2-part sightreading example and put the puzzle pieces in the correct order. The video links out to Youtube, and may be repeated or slowed down as needed.

Lock #2 Choir Lingo Cryptogram: Students will use the provided numeric/alphabetic solution to decipher the provided definition.

Lock #3 Melody Magnified: Students will use the magnifying glass to identify the solfege.

Lock #4 Riddle Reprise: Students will use the riddle to solve lock #4.

Lock #5 Definition Dilemma: Students will use the provided definitions to identify 6 terms.

Lock #6 Translation Trouble: Students will need to “translate” the provided text.

If you’d like to see a video preview, click here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLdhlha1TXI

Printable Escape Room Steps:

1. Print the 5 Escape Room printable “locks”. I recommend assigning this as a small group activity, with each group needing printouts of all 5 locks.

2. Divide the class into groups of approximately 3-4 students and assign a group number. This number may be entered on the top left of each lock handout for easy reference.

3. Hand out Lock #1 only. Be sure that the groups write group member names and the start time at the top of each lock.

4. As the groups finish Lock #1, students will need to turn it in to receive the next lock. They should only receive Lock #2 if they have the correct answer for Lock #1. If incorrect, send them back to work further. You may choose to provide hints or clues using the provided Answer Keys.

5. Repeat for Locks # 2-5.

6. Lock #5 does not have a single final answer like the previous locks. This is to allow for different finish times and class lengths.

7. By the end of the hour, you should have all 5 locks from all student groups. Collate by group number and staple or paperclip.

Depending on the group of students, you can support them by working together as a class, offering class hints, or even creating time limits and competition winners.

I hope this gives you some ideas of ways that you can use Escape Rooms in your music classroom!  If you have any requests for a tutorial or a specific Escape Room, let me know down in the comments!