Choice Quest Lesson Plan Choice Quest
Lesson Plan • Tier 3 Behavioral Support
30 Minutes
Objective
Guide a 5th-grade student with autism through a 30-minute escape-room style activity to identify safe vs unsafe choices in real-world scenarios, aiming to unlock a three-digit code and reinforce decision-making skills.
Why This Matters
Building critical safety awareness through engaging, hands-on puzzles enhances independent decision-making, self-advocacy, and confidence for students with autism.
Audience & Approach
Student Profile
5th Grade Special Education (Autism)
Methodology
Interactive Escape Room Puzzles
Focus Areas
Road Safety Online Safety Social Safety
Materials Needed
Choice Quest Scenario Cards (Cut & Prepared)
Choice Quest Slides (with Digital Lock)
Choice Quest Student Workbook
Choice Quest Teacher Guide & Answer Key
Prep (10 Minutes)
Print and cut out the Scenario Cards.
Prepare the Student Workbook (1 copy).
Open the Slides on a laptop or tablet.
Review the Teacher Guide for pacing tips.
Instructional Sequence
Intro
5 min
Set the Mission
Welcome the student and explain the escape-room concept: solve puzzles to unlock a three-digit code. Introduce the goal: identify safe vs unsafe choices in each scenario. Show the Student Workbook and demonstrate how to mark each choice. Confirm understanding by asking the student to describe a safe versus unsafe choice.
Puzzle 1
7 min
Road Safety
Present three Road Safety Scenario Cards. Student identifies safe vs unsafe actions and records answers in the workbook.
Reveal digit 1 of the digital lock when correct.
Puzzle 2
7 min
Online Safety
Present three Online Safety Scenario Cards. Student distinguishes safe vs unsafe online behaviors, logging answers in the workbook.
Reveal digit 2 of the digital lock when correct.
Puzzle 3
7 min
Stranger Interaction
Present three Stranger Interaction Scenario Cards. Student determines safe vs unsafe responses and notes them in the workbook.
Reveal digit 3 to unlock the lock!
Finish
4 min
Debrief and Reflection
Celebrate success! Review each scenario together, discussing why choices were safe or unsafe. Ask the student for one takeaway. Provide positive reinforcement and high-fives.
Choice Quest Teacher Guide Choice Quest
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Facilitator Resource
Tier 3 Special Education Support
Key Instructional Strategies
Visual Priming: Show the Student Workbook and Scenario Cards before starting to reduce anxiety.Explicit Modeling: Demonstrate the first Road Safety card. Use a "Think Aloud" to explain your logic.Wait Time: Provide 5-10 seconds of processing time after presenting a card before prompting.
Social Skills Focus
While the topic is "Safety," look for opportunities to practice:
Asking for clarification
Managing frustration (if stuck)
Verbalizing reasoning
Scaffolding Prompts
Level Teacher Script / Action Visual Point Point to the "Walk" sign or the stranger's hand. "Look at this part." Leading Question "Does that child know that adult?" or "Is that car far away or close?" Choice of Two "Is this safe because they look, or unsafe because they run?" Direct Prompt "It is unsafe because we don't know that person. Can you mark 'Unsafe'?"
Pacing & Transition Tips
Transitions
Use a countdown or visual timer between puzzles. "Puzzle 1 is done! In 3, 2, 1, we move to Puzzle 2."
Engagement
High-energy reveal! When the code digit is "unlocked," make it a celebration. Use the lock visuals on the slide.
Behavioral Note
If the student fixates on the code, remind them: "First puzzle, then number. We collect numbers to win!"
Suggested Debrief Questions
Cognitive Reflection:
"Which puzzle was the easiest to spot the unsafe choice?"
"What is the first thing you should do when you get to a street corner?"
Self-Advocacy/Metacognition:
"How did you feel when you unlocked the final code?"
"Who can you talk to if you see something unsafe online?"
Choice Quest Slides Choice Quest
Escape Room Challenge
Welcome the student warmly. Introduce yourself and explain today’s activity is an escape-room style game called Choice Quest. Show excitement and set a positive tone.
Today’s Quest
Learn to spot Safe and Unsafe choices
Solve 3 puzzles: Road, Online, Stranger
Unlock the 3-digit code
Explain the goal: Identify safe vs unsafe choices in different scenarios to uncover a three-digit code. Point at each icon as you mention it.
How to Play
01
Observe
View scenario cards and decide if it's Safe ✅ or Unsafe ❌
02
Record
Write your answers in your Student Workbook
03
Unlock
Unlock each digit of the secret code to win!
Describe how to play: show scenario cards, decide safe or unsafe, and write answers in the workbook. Remind student of the digital lock image on screen.
Puzzle 1: Road Safety
Show 3 road-crossing cards. Is it Safe or Unsafe?
Look at cards 1-3
Record in workbook
Unlock Digit 1
Digital Lock
4
Digit 1 Found: 4
Puzzle 1: Road Safety. 1. Display three road-crossing scenario cards. 2. Ask: “Is this safe or unsafe?” 3. Support reasoning: “Why do you think that?” 4. When all correct, click to reveal digit 1 on the digital lock (Show the slide with '4' visible).
Puzzle 2: Online Safety
Check the online-safety cards. Be a Safe Surfer!
Look at cards 4-6
Record in workbook
Unlock Digit 2
Digital Lock
4
8
Digit 2 Found: 8
Puzzle 2: Online Safety. 1. Display three online interaction cards. 2. Guide student to label safe or unsafe online behaviors. 3. Provide hints if needed. 4. Reveal digit 2 (Show slide with '8' visible) when correct.
Puzzle 3: Strangers
Almost there! Check the stranger-interaction cards.
Look at cards 7-9
Record in workbook
Reveal Final Code!
Digital Lock
4
8
1
Success: 4 8 1
Puzzle 3: Stranger Interaction. 1. Present three stranger-interaction scenario cards. 2. Discuss safe responses vs risky ones. 3. Encourage student to explain their choice. 4. Reveal the final digit (Show slide with all digits) when all are correct.
Choice Quest Scenario Cards Choice Quest: Scenario Cards
Print, cut out, and present cards one at a time for each puzzle.
Puzzle 1: Road Safety
1
IMAGE: Child looking both ways at a crosswalk with the "Walk" signal on.
Road Safety 1
A child looks both ways and crosses at a crosswalk when the “Walk” signal is on.
2
IMAGE: Child running between parked cars into the street without looking.
Road Safety 2
A child runs between parked cars to cross the street without looking both ways.
3
IMAGE: Child walking into the street while texting, not noticing a car.
Road Safety 3
A child walks into the street while texting on a phone and doesn’t notice an oncoming car.
Puzzle 2: Online Safety
4
IMAGE: A child chatting with an unknown adult online who asks for their address.
Online Safety 1
A child chats with an unknown adult online who asks for their home address.
5
IMAGE: A child sharing a photo on social media with a "Friends Only" icon.
Online Safety 2
A child shares a photo on social media set to “Friends Only.”
6
IMAGE: A child clicking a flashy pop-up ad on a strange website.
Online Safety 3
A child clicks on a pop-up ad that appears on a website they don’t recognize.
Puzzle 3: Strangers
7
IMAGE: A stranger offering candy from a car window.
Stranger Interaction 1
A stranger offers a child candy and asks them to get into their car.
8
IMAGE: A lost child being told to "follow me" by a stranger.
Stranger Interaction 2
A stranger tells a lost child they’ll help find their parents and asks them to follow.
9
IMAGE: A familiar neighbor waving and inviting a child inside.
Stranger Interaction 3
A neighbor the child knows waves and asks them to come inside their home alone.
Choice Quest Student Workbook Choice Quest
Student Mission Log
Explorer Name
Date
Your Mission: Look at the scenario cards with your teacher. For each card, decide if the choice is Safe or Unsafe . Record your answer and explain why to unlock the secret code!
1
Puzzle 1: Road Safety
Road Safety 1: Child crosses with "Walk" signal and looks both ways.
My Answer
Safe
Unsafe
Why do you think that?
Road Safety 2: Child runs between parked cars without looking.
My Answer
Safe
Unsafe
Why do you think that?
Road Safety 3: Child walks into street while texting.
My Answer
Safe
Unsafe
Why do you think that?
2
Puzzle 2: Online Safety
Online Safety 1: Stranger online asks for home address.
My Answer
Safe
Unsafe
Why do you think that?
Online Safety 2: Sharing a photo set to "Friends Only."
My Answer
Safe
Unsafe
Why do you think that?
Online Safety 3: Clicking on a flashy pop-up ad.
My Answer
Safe
Unsafe
Why do you think that?
3
Puzzle 3: Strangers
Stranger Interaction 1: Stranger offers candy and a ride.
My Answer
Safe
Unsafe
Why do you think that?
Stranger Interaction 2: Stranger says "follow me" to a lost child.
My Answer
Safe
Unsafe
Why do you think that?
Stranger Interaction 3: Known neighbor invites child inside home.
My Answer
Safe
Unsafe
Why do you think that?
Final Mission Log
Combine the digits you unlocked from each puzzle to escape the room!
Secret Code
One thing I learned about safety:
Choice Quest Answer Key Choice Quest
Comprehensive Answer Key
4 8 1
Puzzle 1: Road Safety
Unlocks Digit: 4
Road Safety 1
SAFE ✅
Child follows traffic rules: looks both ways, uses crosswalk, obeys "Walk" signal.
Road Safety 2
UNSAFE ❌
Parked cars block visibility. Running without checking traffic can lead to accidents.
Road Safety 3
UNSAFE ❌
Distracted walking. Texting prevents the child from seeing oncoming vehicles.
Puzzle 2: Online Safety
Unlocks Digit: 8
Online Safety 1
UNSAFE ❌
Sharing personal info with strangers online can lead to real-world exploitation.
Online Safety 2
SAFE ✅
Restricting views to known friends reduces the chance of misuse by strangers.
Online Safety 3
UNSAFE ❌
Pop-up ads on unknown sites often contain malware or phishing scams.
Puzzle 3: Strangers
Unlocks Digit: 1
Stranger Int. 1
UNSAFE ❌
Never accept gifts or rides from strangers; this is a major safety risk.
Stranger Int. 2
UNSAFE ❌
Lost children should seek known safety figures (police, store staff), not follow strangers.
Stranger Int. 3
SAFE ✅
Neighbor is a familiar, trusted adult. (Note: Parents should still be informed).
Teacher Note
Correct identification of all scenarios in a puzzle unlocks its corresponding digit. Provide immediate positive feedback for correct answers. If a student chooses incorrectly, use the reasoning provided above to guide them toward the safe choice.
