Colonial America Break In to History DBQ Activity

Colonial America Break In To History.  Created by Nathan Gilson - Understanding Who We Were 

In a Breakout room, people are locked in a room, and need to solve a set of riddles/clues in order to discover the key to leave the room. Since we can't lock students into classrooms in America, we Break IN instead. Solve a set of historical riddles in order to get clues to a hidden key and break in to a locked box in the room!

Why do a Break In To History activity?

*Vocabulary intensive clues that force students to stretch and make connections

*Encourage critical thinking outside the box

*Great to use as an informal assessment or review

*10 minute setup (most of it walking to and waiting for your copier)

*Inexpensive set up (You just need something to lock and a key you can hide)

*Your students will love this activity. This is one of my students' favorite activities, and product feedback on Break In To History activities suggests they aren't alone. They literally celebrate when they hear we're doing one.

*Students are answering DBQ questions and primary sources without even realizing it!

Content: Colonial America, with a special emphasis on the economic characteristics, major cities, and settler groups in the Northern, Middle, and Southern Colonies.

Break Out Room Kits with all of the locks can be time consuming to set up and create. Why go to all of the trouble when you can use this digital break in activity, and with less than 10 minutes of set up, have your lesson all ready to go for the day? All you have to do is print the organizer, hide the key, and let the kids engage in the activity!

This activity includes:

*Detailed directions on how to use a Break-In.

*The link to a public google form that students can use to play the game

*A graphic organizer helpful in organizing the key ideas

*An answer key.

Please note: This activity runs through a google form, so it is important that you make sure your students will have internet access.