U.S. Civil War, Reconstruction and Lincoln Escape Rooms!

The three Escape Rooms will take students on a secret mission around the classroom! The three separate escape rooms have students decode interesting facts about the post U.S. Civil War Reconstruction, the U.S. Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. This is the perfect resource to introduce Reconstruction, the Civil War Amendments, the Civil War, Presidents or Lincoln. The Escape Rooms have students walking around the classroom breaking codes. Students are given a secret code name and sent on three separate secret missions. The codes include ciphers, Morse code, cryptograms and a final 4 digit code based on the decoders/clues.

Each clue and code is different. The codes require students to think differently to decipher or decode them. Some codes are easier than others. Some codes require critical thinking to determine what a letter/symbol stands for. Each code will reveal interesting facts about the U.S. Civil War, Lincoln or Reconstruction. The use of secret code will keep your students engaged while competing to find the final code. Students can report the final code to you. If you wanted to, you could purchase a 4 digit lock that you program, but it is not necessary at all! No props needed!! This is a NO PREP, PRINT & GO Activity!

Students are sent on a “secret mission” and given a back story
to ignite their active learning skills. They are given a code name which makes them feel as if they are part of the secret mission. Students practice hands-on, practical problem solving skills all while learning about the Civil War Era. Your students will be inspired to think outside the box!

The best age range for this resource is 10+. Please look at the preview to determine if this resource works for your age group. Younger students may need some help with some of the more difficult codes.

You can use the pre-labeled clues or you can challenge older kids to choose/find the decoder that works for each of the clues. A set of labeled and non-labeled decoders are included for differentiation. A “How to Decode” puzzles is also included.

Once your students try one of my escape rooms, they will beg for more!
This activity is for all types of learners, especially kinesthetic.

In addition to learning or reinforcing the subject matter, my escape rooms encourage teamwork and critical thinking. As a “timed” challenge, students will be engaged from beginning to end.

New Feature: The Reconstruction Escape Room now includes 12 fun, colorful signs to take class pictures with at the end of the mission. Signs include “Puzzle Master”, “She did all the work”, “Genius”, “We did it”, “I Escaped” and more! Hang the pictures in your room, send them in a parent newsletter or share them on social media

An answer key and teacher directions are provided.

Time needed: 30-60 minutes

102 page PDF