Description
The chocolate recipe thief has locked away the secret formula, and your students must solve four fraction puzzles to escape the lab. This challenging 5th grade digital escape room asks students to apply what they know about adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators while following an imaginative story.
Two difficulty levels are included. Option A provides a demanding challenge for students with a strong grasp of the content. Option B includes fewer problems, divides the puzzles into smaller steps, and provides additional hints.
At a glance
- Grade: 5th grade
- Math focus: adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators
- Standards: 5.NF.A.1 and 5.NF.A.2
- Format: digital escape room in Google Forms™
- Difficulty: two differentiated versions
- Typical time: approximately 30–60 minutes
- Student access: any internet-connected computer or tablet
Inside the recipe thief’s lab
Students race through four connected puzzles as they try to recover the stolen chocolate recipe. The more challenging version is best suited to partners or small groups, while the supported version gives students extra structure and hints.
Math skills students will use
- Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators
- Form equivalent fractions before adding or subtracting
- Subtract mixed numbers using regrouping
- Solve fraction word problems
- Identify numerators and denominators
- Rewrite and simplify improper fractions
- Reduce fractions to simplest form
- Use directions and simple ciphers to solve puzzles
What teachers receive
- A URL and QR code for the automated Google Forms™ escape room
- Two levels of difficulty for differentiation
- A detailed answer key and teacher tips
- Optional printable clues for showing work and involving more group members
- Success signs for celebrating the completed challenge
- A printable security badge that can be used as an exit ticket
- Directions for classroom, remote, or virtual use
- An option to save a copy of the form to Google Drive™ to view student results
Ways to use this escape room
This is one of the more challenging escape rooms in the collection, so cooperative groups work especially well. It can also be used for enrichment, review, homework, tutoring, homeschool practice, or as an alternative to a traditional fractions worksheet.
Preview the 5th grade fractions escape room activity.
Frequently asked questions
Do students need Google accounts?
No. Students only need the link and an internet-connected device.
How long does it take?
Most students finish in under 45 minutes, although allowing up to 60 minutes is helpful for groups that need more support. Students with a strong command of the skills may finish in about 30 minutes.
Do students need to search the web?
No. Everything needed to solve the standards-based math puzzles is included in the Google Form™.
