Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Create Your Own Coded Language

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students discover and identify cryptology used in everyday life. They decipher or crack codes. Students create their own secret writing or coded messages, and develop a dictionary of eponyms. They discuss how they have already...
Lesson Plan
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Lesson: Paul Chan: Alternumeric Fonts

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learning to analyze language, symbols, and codes is part of becoming a deep and critical thinker. Young analysts consider their ability to see hidden messages as they analyze the work of Paul Chan. There are two fully developed...
Lesson Plan
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Patterns of Communication

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Scholars examine codes, symbols, and other forms of communication. They discuss Morse Code. Next, they are given messages written in code, which they must decipher. 
Lesson Plan
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Break the Pentomino Code!

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students read and analyze the book, Chasing Vermeer. They discuss the main story elements, analyze how pentominoes are important to the story, use a pentomino code to decipher a message, and create a secret code of their own.
Lesson Plan
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Morning Message-Mystery Code

For Teachers K
Students copy and figure out the Mystery Codeword each day. They copy Mystery Code into journal. They match the number with the letter to decipher the code word. They draw a picture to match code word. At the end of the week, the...
Lesson Plan
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Coin Codes

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Learners work on cracking coin codes in honor of the Navajo Code Talkers Medal. Students review the handout on Crack the Code. Learners race to see who can crack the code the fastest.
Lesson Plan
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Deciphering Morse Code

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Pupils write and decode messages using Morse code, as Civil War soldiers might have done. They use a worksheet imbedded in this lesson to help them experience morse code.
Lesson Plan
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Cracking Codes and Ciphers

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore different codes and ciphers including Morse Code, Egyptian Hieroglyphs, and the Alphabet. They discuss how and why codes are used. Students create their own code and message to exchange with classmates.
Lesson Plan
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Ocean Morse Code

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students gain knowledge of the maritime importance of Morse code and enjoy applying this information to decipher Morse code messages from other students.
Lesson Plan
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Codebreaker Math

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students solve addition and subtraction problems and decipher and write messages using a code. They read and discuss an informational fact sheet about the Navajo code talkers from World War II, and decode and re-code messages using math...
Lesson Plan
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Decoding a Mystery Message from Space

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine a message sent from outer space and do their best to interpret its meaning. In this problem solving lesson plan, students investigate a code sent to them from "outer space." The students collaborate with their classmates...
Lesson Plan
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Break the Code!

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders crack a code using binary numbers. In this technology lesson, 7th graders explain how binary codes can represent letters and numbers. They create their own code and exchange them with their classmates.
Lesson Plan
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Detective Digis and the Computer Caper

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Mathematicians participate in an hands-on activity to investigate the binary number system and write messages in binary code and have classmates decipher the messages. A said video on the topic does not seem to be available, but the...
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Curated OER

Coordinating Coordinates

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore coordinate pairs and coordinate grids. They use a grid on which each letter of the alphabet is assigned a coordinate pair, 3rd graders decipher a coded message. Pupils compare coordinate pairs on a coordinate grid...
Lesson Plan
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Signal Corps

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine the role of signal corps during the Civil War and explore the technique of 'wigwag.' In this Civil War lesson, students discuss the way they communicate long distance today, they research how a civil war soldier...
Lesson Plan
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Secret Scroll

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine various scrolls, codes, and languages. They develop their own secret code and compose a message using it. They then create antique-like paper scrolls and write messages on them in their secret codes, then try to decipher...
Lesson Plan
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Shh...It's a Secret!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore codes, decode secret messages, and create codes of their own to use with their friends. They examine the use of gestures, letters, symbols and numbers in codes.
Lesson Plan
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Shh... It's a Secret!

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine a series of rules for deciphering a code. They create their own secret message using a code after watching video. They access a web site to practice their decoding skills.
Lesson Plan
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President Jefferson's Cipher: Cracking the Code

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students examine the journey out west by Lewis and Clark. Using a cipher from President Jefferson, they solve a code he gave to the explorers before setting out on their exploration. They share his message with the class and state...
Lesson Plan
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Master Spy

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explain that a code is a system of symbols, letters, words, or signals that are used instead of ordinary words and numbers to send messages or to store information. They practice deciphering a variety of secret codes used in...
Lesson Plan
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Algebra: Introduction to Algebraic Expressions

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders, in an introductory algebra class, code and decode messages using substitution ciphers. Role-playing as mathematicians, they work in groups to decipher several messages, one of which translates to "math is awesome."
Lesson Plan
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U Boat Hunt

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students recognize patterns and sequences in numbers. In this geometry lesson, students create rules to define the sequences and patterns they obsere. They translate coded messages as they dicuss navigational terms.
Lesson Plan
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Basic Crypto Systems

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students try to solve codes mathematically. The use of a code needs a key. Students try to decipher a code with a mathematical key. This requires focus and higher order thinking skills like analysis.
Lesson Plan
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Condon Bingo

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use COndon Bingo to decipher genetic codes. Students practice transcription and translation of codons while playing the game. They enjoy playing the game, while actively participating. Students develop an increase proficiency...