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colored Jenga blocks: https://www.amazon.com/Lewo-Wooden-Stacking-Building-Blocks/dp/B0192VWSSY

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Here is the link to the form you use to request Breakout EDU kits from the county.  https://bcpsodl.pbworks.com/w/page/113126770/BreakoutEDU

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Here is the link to the form you use to request Breakout EDU kits from the county.  https://bcpsodl.pbworks.com/w/page/113126770/BreakoutEDU

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At our school, we believe that a strong school philosophy is the basis for everything. So, every year in August, we spend our first day of professional development reviewing, revamping, and discussing our philosophy among teachers and coordinators. After 18 years, it can be difficult to come up with new ways to do this - luckily, this year, Breakout EDU came to our rescue!

What is Breakout EDU, Anyway?

Last year, while visiting Toronto, my daughter took me on an " Escape Room" adventure. We were locked in a room with nine other people we'd never met before and had to find clues and solve a series of puzzles in order to unlock the door and escape. Not only was it fun, it was something I could easily imagine being used in school. To escape, we had to collaborate, problem-solve, use logical thinking skills, and access prior knowledge. Doesn't that sound just like what we want students to do?

As I was working with teachers to figure out how we could invent Escape Room problems for school, I discovered that the solution had already been invented: with a series of locks and boxes, Breakout EDU creates escape games for students. Their website is amazing, with over 250 games available for teachers to use. They also have a Breakout EDU Facebook page where educators share ideas, materials, problems, and solutions. It's extremely helpful and inspiring!

How We Implemented It in Our Philosophy Workshop

We decided to break our teachers up into seven groups of eight teachers each, and we chose three games to play: Dr. Johnson's Laboratory, Time Warp, and the Missing Assignment. We made two copies of each game, and translated Dr. Johnson's Laboratory into Spanish for our Spanish department.

When teachers arrived on Monday morning, they found a table full of invitations waiting for them. The invitations invited them to find their assigned room and go there at 9:00. At that time, we met outside the rooms and explained that they had to find clues in order to open the mystery box. We took the teachers into the room, where a timer was set up on a computer. We told them they had 45 minutes to solve the problem, then started the timer.

Teachers searched for clues throughout the room and began trying to solve the problems. The clues were definitely not easy and red herrings also tripped them up. We gave a few hints like: "Keep searching, you need more physical clues." or "Hmmm, could it mean something else?" Some groups solved the challenge and broke into the box, where they found chocolate (of course) and an envelope with eight copies of a word in it and instructions to meet in the classroom where we were holding our philosophy workshop. Each group had a specific word that they'd share in a jigsaw like activity in our workshop. Other groups didn't manage to break out in time - so we opened the boxes and gave them the words they needed to continue.

In the classroom, we set up tables where the teachers would meet with a new, different group of teachers. (Each table had seven teachers - one from each BreakoutEDU game.) They all had a different word or phrase from the following list:

Individual strengths/diversity

Creativity

Logical thinking/problem solving

Challenging

Progressive/innovative

Cooperation/teamwork

Independence

Groups were given a piece of paper and markers. We asked teachers to use the words to come up with a paragraph explaining how the Breakout EDU activity represented our philosophy. We listened in on deep discussions as teachers completed the tasks. We reached our goal, with no lecturing on our part!

Educational Benefits of Breakout EDU

Breakout EDU (and any form of gamifying professional development) has some awesome benefits. It:

Develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Promotes collaboration and teamwork.

Fosters a growth mindset - failure is okay when you're playing a game. Part of the fun is trying again. Feelings of insecurity turn into "Yes! I can do this!" when teachers manage to solve a problem.

Encourages perseverance - some students give up easily when faced with a challenge. In attempting to break out, they begin to see that "intelligence" doesn't count as much as the willingness to keep trying.

Accesses content knowledge - the puzzles can be built around content being covered in class and, even better, students can eventually create games for each other, using subject area content clues.

Finally, it's fun! - Breakout EDU is exciting and motivating. As one of our teachers said: "I think this was my favorite back to school day ever, including my entire childhood!" It's definitely an activity we'll be using again, in many different ways.

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Breakout EDU: Gamifying Professional Development

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At our school, we believe that a strong school philosophy is the basis for everything. So, every year in August, we spend our first day of professional development reviewing, revamping, and discussing our philosophy among teachers and coordinators.

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Tour of school building, procedures for absences, use of copiers, etc. Review of BCPS One (curriculum, resources, digital content, Office 365, etc

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Tour of school building, procedures for absences, use of copiers, etc. Review of BCPS One (curriculum, resources, digital content, Office 365, etc

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Edutopia Classroom Management Resources for New Teachers

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Edutopia Classroom Management Resources for New Teachers

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I'm going to add this resource (and a note-taking template) as optional "homework" for the brand new teachers this year. My goal is to have them choose effective routines and attitudes so they're ready for the first day.
Jo-Ellen O'Dell at Catonsville HS
jodell@bcps.org

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New Teachers: Fundamentals of Classroom Management

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Resources for developing routines, fostering classroom community, managing disruptions, and building student relationships.

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Our new teachers are always greeted with a wide variety of candy grams.  These grams have a posivitve and funny message, which matches the type of candy.  We have a continental breakfast and lunch as well.  All teachers are presented with school supplies and a handwritten note from myself.  We tour the building, meet twelve month staff, and have courageous conversations.  Most new teachers are overwhelmed from days of professional development, and the obvious newness, so I try to share pertinent information, but have sprinkles of fun throughout the day. In the afternoon, I meet with each teacher individually and share my role, while allowing them to freely share their needs or whatever is on their minds!
~Tamera, New Town ES

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I compile a list of places near the school such as:
-carry outs
-post office
-ATM
-nearest Walmart / Target
-grocery store
-nearest gas station

Basically, any place a teacher may need to find quickly if they have to stay for a meeting or run a quick errand.

-Karen Wilson Sparrows Point MS

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2017 NTO Agenda
-Breakfast
-Today's Meet Back Channel; Housekeeping; Gifts; Name Tent & Icebreaker Activity
-"It's a Great Day to Be..." (Principal)
-What Students Expect (Student Panel)
-Breakout EDU: The Faculty Meeting
-Key, Device, and Schedule Distribution
-Today's Meet: Questions Answered
-Break
-Building Tour Scavenger Hunt with Goose Chase
-Neighborhood Tour
-Lunch with Administrators, STAT Teacher, and Department Chairs
-Content Area Meetings with Department Chairs
-Work in Your Classroom

*For planning documents and additional resources, contact Melissa Banister at mbanister@bcps.org.

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I like to have a bag of supplies that they need in their classrooms.  I do a tour of the school and meeting the custodians, secretaries.  I also talk to them about the school day and where to find things and about the copier.  I like to spend individual time with teachers too so they can let me know specifically what they think they will need help with.

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I like to have a bag of supplies that they need in their classrooms.  I do a tour of the school and meeting the custodians, secretaries.  I also talk to them about the school day and where to find things and about the copier.  I like to spend individual time with teachers too so they can let me know specifically what they think they will need help with.

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Jen Becker - Martin Blvd ES

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Give an awesome school supplies gift bag/caddy.  I know they can get it later with their content folks...but why not give them a head start so they don't have to take time to get it later..
Lisa D. FMS

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I use time to take our new teachers on a tour of the building, making sure they meet our custodial staff and secretaries; the backbone of the school building. -Deb Strong, Maiden Choice School

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Share the FMS OneNote resource binder which took the place of housing important docs. once found on the share drive.
Lisa Donoho - FMS

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Created info. sheet with Admin, office staff, chairpersons, Telco directions, etc. phone numbers provided....
Lisa Donoho - FMS

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We invited our chairs to come and have a mini breakout with new hires to give them some personal one-on-one before school starts.
Lisa Donoho - FMS

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Because FMS is working more with relationship building, we may have new teachers experience some activities in a restorative circle.

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Success from the StartTen Ways for Principals to Support New Teachers

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Success from the StartTen Ways for Principals to Support New Teachers

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The Just ASK Mentor’s Opening of School Checklist

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The Just ASK Mentor’s Opening of School Checklist

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Credit: Connie Pincione