Meghan BrtnikTeam Time is a weekly event when teams made up of students from different classrooms and grades come together for fun, friendly competition and time together. Sometimes it is hard to find an activity that works for all ages in the team, but this week’s activity worked! For this week’s team time, students had the challenge to “escape” their team’s classroom by solving puzzles and riddles together. Teams needed to practice teamwork, time management, problem solving, focus under pressure, and respect for each other.
All the teams were up for the challenge and were anxious to begin. Everyone started by completing a 24-piece puzzle to receive the clue: “Your mission has been planted.” After some discussion, students ran to the plant in the classroom and found the Morse code message and alphabet. After decoding the message, they were sent to find their next clue under the teacher’s desk. This clue was a backwards message. Some teams used a mirror to decode it, while another team used the reflection from a window. This message lead them to find the hidden heart on the wall with the combination to a final locked bag. Teams had to work together to try and figure out how to use the combination lock and open it. This took some time, but all teams managed to crack the code.
Inside was the sign “We Escaped” with instructions to take a picture for proof. Students were thrilled, proud and immediately asked if they could do another escape room soon!
Meghan Brtnik
is a classroom teacher on the K-2 team. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Meghan was a substitute teacher at an international baccalaureate school in Toronto and at the Latin School of Chicago. She graduated from York University, Toronto, with a M.Ed. at the primary/junior level and completed an additional qualification course in special education. Meghan earned a B.A. from the University of Western Ontario in honors psychology, focusing on the psychological and social foundations in human behavior. In addition, Meghan has worked in a Montessori school, tutored students individually, and lived and worked at an all-girls boarding school.
For fun, Meghan loves traveling, trying out new restaurants, exploring new neighborhoods, swimming, reading, and walking.