Teacher Overview: The Living Labyrinth
The Living Labyrinth is a dynamic, standards-based biology adventure designed to help elementary students explore the fascinating world of living things. This interactive experience introduces core biological concepts through a series of engaging challenges that reinforce key vocabulary and scientific understanding. Students will journey through themed environments such as cell stations, DNA forests, and microbe marshes, solving clues and collecting code letters to complete the mission.
This lesson is structured to be completed in one class period and is supported by a full suite of teacher resources to ensure a seamless and effective experience. Included materials are:
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An interactive online educational adventure that promotes critical thinking and vocabulary application
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Standards-based vocabulary trading cards for student reference and reinforcement
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A concise instructional video that aligns directly with the adventure content
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A detailed lesson plan organized by subtopic with pacing, objectives, and vocabulary
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Teaching dialogue suggestions to support classroom discussion and instruction
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A comprehensive answer key for quick reference and student review
Whether used as an introduction to biology or a review of essential concepts, The Living Labyrinth provides an exciting and meaningful way to bring science to life in the classroom.
Student Link:
https://excavatingadventures.com/blogs/adventures/8-the-living-labyrinth
Lesson Plan: The Living Labyrinth – Biology
Grade Level: Elementary
Subject: Science
Topic: Biology
Lesson Duration: 1 hour or less
Lesson Type: Interactive, standards-aligned life science lesson
Lesson Overview:
In this lesson, students will explore the foundational principles of biology through an interactive escape room adventure called The Living Labyrinth. Using a short instructional video to build understanding and a set of standards-based trading cards to support vocabulary, students will navigate a series of digital challenges to apply their knowledge in real time. The lesson focuses on life science essentials, including what living things are made of, how they survive, and how they are organized. All materials are designed to be no-prep and ready for classroom or individual student use.
Subtopics Covered:
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Characteristics and Needs of Living Things – What defines life and what all living organisms need to survive
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Cells and Structures – Basic building blocks of life and how traits are passed through DNA
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Systems and Environments – How body systems work and how organisms interact with their environments
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
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Define biology and explain what it means for something to be a living organism
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Identify cells as the basic units of life and understand the role of DNA in living things
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Describe the role of body systems, adaptations, and energy in helping organisms survive
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Understand the importance of habitats and the role of microbes in ecosystems
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Use vocabulary trading cards to support comprehension and problem-solving during the adventure
Key Vocabulary:
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Biology
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Cell
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DNA
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Habitat
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Adaptation
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Energy
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Body Systems
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Microbe
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Organism
Materials Needed:
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Computers or tablets with internet access (1 per student or pair)
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Downloadable Vocabulary Trading Cards (1 set per student or group)
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Headphones or earbuds (optional)
Instructional Plan:
1. Introduction (5–10 minutes)
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Begin by activating prior knowledge: ask students what they think makes something alive.
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Distribute the vocabulary trading cards and explain that students will use them as clues to help solve challenges.
2. Direct Instruction (5–8 minutes)
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Show the Living Labyrinth instructional video to introduce key terms and concepts.
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Use the vocabulary cards to reinforce definitions as students watch.
3. Interactive Exploration (30–35 minutes)
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Guide students into the Living Labyrinth online escape room.
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Encourage them to refer to their vocabulary cards as they move through the digital adventure.
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Offer support as needed and monitor progress.
4. Wrap-Up and Review (5–10 minutes)
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Revisit the final code word and review its meaning.
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Discuss the vocabulary in context, using examples from the adventure.
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Ask students to reflect: What surprised them most about what living things need to survive?
Assessment:
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Informal assessment through observation during the adventure
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Vocabulary usage during wrap-up discussion
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Completion of the correct final code word
Resources Provided:
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Instructional video (approx. 5 minutes)
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Interactive online escape room adventure: The Living Labyrinth
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Downloadable vocabulary trading cards for student reference
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Complete lesson plan with learning objectives and pacing
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Suggested teaching dialogue and discussion questions
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Full answer key for teacher use
Teacher Reference Guide: The Living Labyrinth – Biology
This reference guide includes all of the key concepts and vocabulary students will need to know in order to successfully complete The Living Labyrinth and understand the essential ideas of biology. Begin by explaining that biology is the science of life—it focuses on studying all living things, from animals and plants to fungi and microbes. Every living thing is made up of one or more cells, which are the basic units of life. Some organisms are made of just a single cell, while others have many cells that work together to help the organism grow, survive, and function.
Inside almost every cell is DNA, which contains the instructions for how a living thing looks and operates. These instructions determine traits such as color, size, and shape. In order to survive, all living things need a suitable habitat—a place where they can find food, water, air, shelter, and space to grow. Over time, living things develop adaptations, which are traits that help them survive in their environment. Adaptations might include things like camouflage, long roots, or thick fur, and these traits are passed down through generations.
One of the most important things all living organisms need is energy. Plants get their energy from sunlight through photosynthesis, while animals get theirs by eating plants or other animals. Energy powers movement, growth, repair, and all the things an organism does to stay alive. Larger organisms have body systems, such as the circulatory system and digestive system, which work together to keep the organism functioning properly. Even the smallest forms of life are important. Microbes are tiny organisms like bacteria and fungi. Some microbes are helpful—they help digest food or keep soil healthy—while others can make organisms sick.
Finally, remind students that an organism is any living thing. This includes everything from a tiny microbe to a towering tree or a human being. Throughout the adventure, students will use their vocabulary trading cards to help answer questions and uncover clues. They will also watch a short instructional video at the beginning of the lesson that explains these core ideas. After that, they will navigate the interactive online escape room, applying what they’ve learned to solve science challenges and uncover a hidden code word. The trading cards should be kept nearby throughout the adventure for quick reference. At the end of the experience, students will review what they learned and reflect on the amazing variety and complexity of life on Earth.
The Living Labyrinth – Teacher Answer Sheet
Use the following list for quick reference during the online adventure. Each question is followed by its correct answer, with spacing for easy readability.
Question: What science focuses on life and living things?
Answer: Biology
Question: What are living things made of?
Answer: Cells
Question: What carries instructions for how a living thing grows?
Answer: DNA
Question: What is an animal or plant’s natural home?
Answer: Habitat
Question: What do we call a helpful trait that forms over time?
Answer: Adaptation
Question: What do all living things need to grow and survive?
Answer: Energy
Question: What do we call parts of the body working together?
Answer: Body systems
Question: What word means tiny living things too small to see?
Answer: Microbe
Question: What do we call any living thing?
Answer: Organism