Escape the Music Room (Rowdy Recorder) – Unlock the Box Set

The activities included in this Escape the Music Room (Unlock the Box) set is highly engaging and a great way to utilize your students critical thinking (logic) skills as well as their knowledge of recorder notes/fingerings and treble clef notes. It’s an exciting and fun cooperative learning activity that can be used anytime during your recorder units/lessons. It’s great for review at the beginning or end of the school year or even just prior to a break! It would also make a great activity to celebrate Music in Our Schools Month! This set varies from my first sets because students do not need to wait on an answer from another group – every group receives the same identical activity.

The mission for this set asks students to find the lost recorder receipt (which is needed to replace the defective recorders from the “Nosqueaky Recorder Company”). A PPT is included with video links for the mission (you need access to either YouTube or SafeShare) OR you can use the paper copy version in this set. Once each of the four activities (included) is solved a different combination code is revealed to “unlock the box.” Hint cards (with rhyming clues) are included for you to help coach/guide your students and learners to success as well as a tracking sheet. Code “Sheets” for identifying the code of each activity and Tracking Sheet with “paper” clothes pins (so you and your groups can keep track of each group’s progress) are also included.

You can determine how many minutes your students have to accomplish the tasks for this mission (based on how long you meet with your class). The mission should be completed anywhere from 30-45 minutes (depending on the age/skill level of your students). I have added 30 and 40 minute countdown timers (as PPT Slideshow) as well as Google Links. To access everything in this file you will need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, PowerPoint and a Google account. The skills students will need to know for this version of “Escape the Music Room” include:

• Activity 1 – read the posters aka “recorder fingering charts” – specifically identifying how many holes are being covered (they don’t need to know the actual fingerings so you can use this for beginner level students as long as they can identify notes on the treble clef staff)
• Activity 2 – “read” (not play) the “music” written by Windy Wood
• Activity 3 – put together a 14 piece “straight line” puzzle and follow clues
• Activity 4 – read an “interview” from the catalog by acclaimed composer & performer, Windy Wood (reveals the directional lock code).

Items included:

✔ Color AND black & white versions of all worksheets, direction, prep help, hint cards, etc.)

✔ specific detailed list/pictures of materials needed

✔ step-by-step prep work with images (such as codes to set on your locks, instrument pictures to place in lockbox, circling certain letters & a word to reveal the final clue via UV flashlight, etc.)

✔ step-by-step directions (with pictures) of how to play this “review game”

✔ PPT Presentation with video links (YouTube & SafeShare) for The Mission

✔ PPT Presentation with Google links for 40 and 30 minute counters (with audio)

✔ PPT Slideshow (plays automatically when clicked on) for 40 minute countdown timer

✔ PPT Slideshow (plays automatically when clicked on) for 30 minute countdown timer

✔ Mission Video (links), Code Tracking “Sheets,” Handouts for the Four Activities (see above for more details)

✔ hint cards with printed rhyming clues to help your students; different styles and format available

✔ answers for all the worksheets/puzzle activities

✔ signs that say “We Escaped the Music Room” (great for a photo op!)

✔ color and B&W options

✔ reward tags (in color and B&W) – great to hand out for those classes who successfully complete the mission

✔ 2 versions (2-circle the facial expressions; 1-fill in answers) of a reflection

✔ Tracking aka Progress Cart

You can always do this activity without the actual locks -simply have your students show their “code answers” on the worksheets to you before handing them the next task (worksheet). If desired, you may want to choose to purchase the following additional items.

1-toolbox or tacklebox (that locks can be attached to)

1-hasp lock (all of the other locks will be attached to this)

1-5 letter “word” lock

1-4 digit number lock

1-directional lock

1-padlock with key

1-UV (ultraviolet) marker to circle letters

1-UV (ultraviolet) flashlight

folders (to place the flash light around or under)

Music CD’s (to place the key under)

Camera or phone (optional) – to take photos

This is PACKED with items and information to help you be successful and to “lighten your load.”