“A good day for a good day”. That phrase was worn by a fifth grade teacher at Ballard Elementary School last Thursday.
Months of planning had gone into THAT day, and you could feel the excitement throughout the fifth grade “pod” of classrooms.
Teachers Amber Hatch, Laura Mcinnis and Mabel Palomino-Lam were hosting their 5th annual Escape Room Day.
This high-energy activity is meant to serve as a final review before statewide testing.
Ms. Hatch said students learn about the escape room from siblings or friends – and look forward to becoming a fifth grader for that reason.
She reached out to community members on a popular Facebook forum asking for donations of puzzles, checker boards and combination locks.
When she woke up the next morning, “everything on my list was purchased! Words can’t express how grateful I am,” Ms. Hatch wrote.
So, Ballard’s fifth grade team got to work. Tokens were hidden, cabinets latched and a pitch-black classroom was filled with messages only visible by using a black light flashlight.
After a countdown from their teacher, teams quickly yet carefully opened a ball of cellophane filled with tools.
They unraveled plastic tweezers, a crayon, a tiny jar with a tiny note - and there were lots of giggles.
Students used teamwork and knowledge to solve a series of questions in reading, math and science, such as “Which organs keep the right balance of salts and acids in the body by filtering the blood?”
Once they got the correct answer, teams used clues to find keys and codes in order to move on.
There may have been a few hints from their teachers along the way, but it was a proud moment for them to watch the wheels turning.
A treasure chest awaited the team who could solve the mystery first.
Students were excited, engaged and encouraged by their teachers - a trio of fun and passionate educators who are already looking forward to next year’s event.
As it turns out, Escape Room Day at Ballard Elementary School was A GOOD DAY.
