Help Students Break Out!

School:: Palmetto Elementary
Subject:: Other
Teacher:: Christy Vaill
Students Impacted:: 475
Grade:: K-5
Date:: August 31, 2017

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

Suncoast Credit Union - $500.00

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 200

The Breakout EDU boxes were a HUGE hit with students! They absolutely loved working collaboratively to solve a problem and try to unlock the box. Not only is this resource used for academic purposes, it also serves students in many emotional and social ways as well. Students must work in groups to try to "crack the code" or problem solve. In addition, not all groups are successful in "breaking out" of the box, so they must learn that not being successful the first time does not mean you cannot ever be successful. Students must learn that having difficulty and a "productive struggle" in learning is okay, and should be embraced, which means they are challenging themselves and their abilities.

Most students had never participated in this type of activity, so it was exciting for them to try something new, and in the media center. Many of the Cambridge teachers said they learned about it during their trainings this year, and would like to borrow the boxes later this year, or the beginning of next year, to use in their classrooms as well.

The Breakout EDU website and free resources that come with the kits are extremely useful and have lesson plans ready to go! The lessons are also organized easily into different grade levels and categories, so it is easy to find a topic that is appropriate for different classes and levels.

*The reason the number of students impacted is less than what I originally planned is because the boxes are a little too complex for K-2 at this time. They are much better suited for 3-5 classes! :)

Although I did not intend to use the Breakout EDU boxes with staff, another elementary school actually borrowed my 4 boxes to use at a professional development (PD) for their teachers. Now that I am more comfortable using the boxes, I will definitely implement plans with teachers for next school year. It is a great activity for all ages!

Thank you again for sponsoring this wonderful resource for our school! We will be using the Breakout boxes for years to come!

grant photo

Original Grant Overview

Goal

Breakout EDU is a great way to transform a library space into a hub for immersive learning. Many libraries have a collection of Breakout EDU kits that have been setup for various games that teachers can check out to use in their classrooms. Others have created a dedicated space in their library where small groups of students can come and experience a game or "breakout" learning activity!

What will be done with my students

Students are given a "mystery" to solve and must work together, follow clues, etc. to "break out" of the box to find what's hidden inside. Many of the lessons are based on popular stories students are familiar with.

An example of one lesson would be as follows:

Game Designers: Angie Dressander and Patti Harju
Ages: Early Elementary
Ideal Group Size: Whole Class
Content Area: Reading
Story: We Are Readers
The Troublemaker thinks he can stop us from reading by locking up our bookmarks! He can never stop us from reading, but we do want our new bookmarks. We just need to read the clues and open the box!

Students will learn how to work collaboratively, how to problem solve, and how to overcome challenges. The goal is for students to be excited about reading and learning and to be engaged at school.

Each of our kits include the following items...
1 Large Breakout EDU Kit
1 Hasp
1�Alphabet Multilock
1 Directional Multilock
1 three-digit lock
1 four-digit lock
1 key lock
1 UV light
1 Deck of Reflection Cards
1 invisible ink pen
1 small lockable box
1 USB thumb drive
2 Hint cards

The Breakout EDU kit�includes everything you need to play over 250 games created for the classroom or library environment.

For more about this product and its uses, please feel free to visit the website: https://games.breakoutedu.com/library

Benefits to my students

All students in grade levels K-5 can participate in "Breakout" lessons and activities. Each Breakout EDU kit gives the media specialist, or classroom teachers, access to play more than 400 immersive learning games. Students are engaged and excited about learning, while collaborating to problem solve in groups. Multiple lesson plans and activities are already created and available as resources, but a breakout box is required to participate. I have heard from other media specialists that these are amazing and students love them. Since I am new to Palmetto Elementary this year I want to introduce something new and exciting for students! In addition, if I receive multiple breakout boxes, I can barcode some and have some available for teacher check out in classrooms as well, while still leaving some in the media center for my specific lessons with the students. A win-win for all! Thank you in advance for your consideration in funding this grant! :)

Budget Narrative

Each Breakout Edu Kit is all inclusive with the items needed to implement lessons. In addition, there is free shipping in the U.S., and I believe that schools are considered tax exempt organizations for this product. THANK YOU!

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	Breakout EDU Kit	$125.00
2	Breakout EDU Kit	$125.00
3	Breakout EDU Kit	$125.00
4	Breakout EDU Kit	$125.00
	Total:	$500.00

Please share this page to help in fulfilling this grant.