Description
The days before winter break can make it difficult to keep students focused, but the math can still be worthwhile. In Escape the Snow Globe, 5th graders use decimal place value and operations to rescue a snowman through three quick, connected challenges.
What students will solve
- Decimal word problems involving addition and subtraction to the hundredths
- Multiplication of decimals to the hundredths
- Rounding decimal numbers
- A place-value logic puzzle focused on the value of digits
- Twelve decimal computation problems used to decode a final message
The activity supports 5.NBT.A.1, 5.NBT.A.4, and 5.NBT.B.7. It works best after students have been introduced to decimal place value and operations.
A true no-prep digital escape room
This is one of the shorter “Quick Escape” activities and is digital-only. Google Forms automates the activity and checks each answer before students advance. There are no clues to print or hide, and neither Google Classroom nor student Google accounts are required. Students can work individually, with a partner, or in a small group on any internet-connected device.
What is included
- Easy-to-follow teacher directions
- Digital escape-room access link
- Optional instructions for saving a copy of the Google Form
- Detailed answer key and teacher tips
- Optional student recording page
- Optional success signs
Most groups take approximately 20–45 minutes. The snow theme works throughout winter and does not depend on a particular holiday, making it useful for winter centers, a snow-day themed review, or the final week before break.
