Back to School Activity – Math Escape Room for the First Week of School

This back to school math escape room is a first week activity for grades 5 to 8. Groups work through 8 challenges. Two are editable and get students learning about you and your math class, three are basic math brain challenges, and three are interchangeable grade level challenges for 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grade.

A digital (Google Slides) version of each challenge is also included.

What makes it different

It differs from other escapes in two ways. Some of the challenges are editable, and some can be swapped based on grade level.

The challenges also do not have to be completed in any particular order. To “escape,” a group has to find all 8 codes. That gives you:

• Room to differentiate
• The option to remove challenges when time is short
• Less copying. You only need one copy of each challenge, because a group that finishes one can move on to whichever challenge is available.

What’s included

• CCSS and TEKS standard alignment for each grade level
• Escape directions
• A digital lock option
• Links to locks and boxes you can purchase
• Detailed puzzle information for the teacher
• 5 cross grade level challenges with prep instructions and materials
• 12 grade level specific challenges that can be used for the last three challenges
• Hint cards for each challenge (PDF format and editable PPT format)
• Group code sheet
• Student workbook
• End of escape signs and a sign template
• Prize ideas
• Answer keys

Materials needed

Scissors and a fastening brad. That is all.

You do not need to spend money on locks and boxes. Manila folders or the included digital lock will do. If you would rather use real locks and boxes, that option and links to the materials are included.

Challenges A to E

These five challenges are used for all grades.

• Challenge A (editable): Answer multiple choice, teacher-created questions about the teacher-made syllabus.
• Challenge B: Complete a puzzle with information about the teacher.
• Challenge C: Find the value of images that stand for numbers in four different puzzles.
• Challenge D: Complete a word search that contains mathematical terms.
• Challenge E: Find the missing numbers and operational symbols in a sneaky snake.

Challenge topics by grade

5th grade challenges:

• Challenge F: Completing number sequences
• Challenge G: Adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators and multiplying fractions and whole numbers. All mixed number answers are expressed as fractions greater than one.
• Challenge H: Area, perimeter and missing dimensions of squares and rectangles

6th grade challenges:

• Challenge F: Order of operations without exponents
• Challenge G: Adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions and mixed numbers and dividing fractions and whole numbers
• Challenge H: Measurement conversions, both standard and metric

7th grade challenges:

• Challenge F: Solving one-step equations
• Challenge G: Operations with decimals
• Challenge H: Area of shapes composed of rectangles and triangles and volume of right rectangular prisms

8th grade challenges:

• Challenge F: Solving two-step and multi-step equations
• Challenge G: Proportions and unit rate
• Challenge H: Order of operations with decimals and integers

Quick facts

• Topic: first week of school math escape room
• Grades: 5–8
• Answer key: included

Bundles and related resources

This escape room is included in these bundles:

• Math Escapes Bundle
• Middle School Math Digital Bundle (the specific grade level challenges are also included in each individual grade level bundle)

More math escapes:

• Back to School Escape for Grades 5-8
• 5th Grade Math End of Year Escape Activity
• 6th Grade Math End of Year Escape Activity
• 7th Grade Math End of Year Escape Activity
• 8th Grade Math End of Year Escape Activity
• Fraction Operations Escape Activity
• Solving Basic Equations Escape Activity

Free resources

Get my free Warm Up Slides templates.

Terms of use

By purchasing this product, you own a license for one teacher only for personal use in their own classroom. Licenses are non-transferable and therefore can not be passed from one teacher to another. If the teacher who purchased this license leaves the classroom or changes schools, the license and materials leave with that teacher. No part of this resource is to be shared with colleagues or used by an entire team, grade level, school or district without purchasing the correct number of licenses. If you are a coach, principal or district interested in transferable licenses that would accommodate yearly staff changes, please contact me for a transferable license quote at lindsay@beyondtheworksheet.com.

© Beyond the Worksheet. Please note – all material included in this resource belongs to Beyond the Worksheet Inc. By purchasing, you have a license to use the material but you do not own the material. You may not upload any portion of this resource to the internet in any format, including school/personal websites or network drives unless the site is password protected and can only be accessed by students, not other teachers or anyone else on the internet.