TBA

How I Transformed Classroom Management with Escape Rooms

If you’ve ever struggled with student engagement, you’re not alone. One of the biggest challenges in the classroom is keeping students focused and involved—especially when disruptions derail your lesson and leave the rest of the class frustrated. Sound familiar?

One strategy that completely shifted the dynamic in my classroom was incorporating Escape Room activities into my lessons. These interactive experiences captivated every student’s attention. Suddenly, I wasn’t spending time managing behavior—I was walking around the room, facilitating learning, and watching students take charge of their own progress.

During a recent Virus Escape Room, my students were fully immersed: they collaborated, communicated, analyzed clues, and demonstrated real teamwork—all within a 30-minute time limit. Engagement wasn’t just improved, it was exceptional.

If you’re looking to implement Escape Rooms in your own classroom, here are a few key tips to ensure a smooth and successful experience:

✅ Group Strategically

Keep groups small—ideally no more than three students. Make sure students are compatible and can work well together. Taking a few minutes to verify group dynamics ahead of time can prevent unnecessary conflict and ensure a productive environment.

✅ Use as a Formative Assessment

Escape Rooms work best when students already have a solid understanding of the topic. I introduce mine toward the end of a unit as a fun and challenging formative assessment. Without that foundation, students can get overwhelmed and shut down. Using it later in your unit allows them to apply what they've learned in a creative way.

✅ Build Anticipation

Let students know in advance that an Escape Room is coming! When I implemented two escape rooms in 2019, students were genuinely excited. That anticipation builds buy-in—and it’s a great classroom management strategy in itself.

✅ Make It Challenging

Escape Rooms are meant to be a brain workout! My activities typically have a 30% success rate, and students love the challenge. Struggling productively builds grit, and when they do succeed, the sense of accomplishment is unforgettable.

✅ Facilitate and Support

Your role shifts from teacher to facilitator. Circulate around the room, check on group progress, and offer subtle hints when needed. You’ll be amazed at how well students rise to the occasion.

By the end of the activity, every student in my classroom was engaged, focused, and thinking critically. More importantly, they remembered the experience—and the content—long after the activity ended. These are the moments that stick with them.

Looking to try this in your classroom?
Check out my Virus Escape Room and other science-based escape room activities on Science Fun With Mr. Chun on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Each resource is classroom-tested, easy to implement, and designed to boost engagement while reinforcing content mastery.

Give your students an unforgettable learning experience—one escape room at a time!