Shodor Education Foundation
Caesar Cipher
Caesar ciphers hide secret missives. A simple interactive lets users encode and decode hidden messages. The cipher method here is the Caesar shift.
Curated OER
Caesar Ciphers: An Introduction to Cryptography
Students encode and decode messages using a Caesar Cipher. In this encoding and decoding messages using a Caesar Cipher lesson, students discuss cryptography and how it is used. Students make a Caesar wheel to encode and decode...
Curated OER
Zeros and Ones: Understanding Computer Language
Pupils examine how computer processes language and symbols. They use binary code to encode and decode written language and decimal numbers.
Curated OER
Binary Coding
Students identify different uses and forms of coding information. They use binary code to encode and decode written language. Students utilize worksheets imbedded in this plan to gain practice.
Curated OER
Binary Coding
Students identify different uses and forms of coding information, such as memory chips, discuss and create list of everyday items in which memory devices are used, watch video, play Bits and Bytes Game, and use binary code to encode and...
Exploratorium
Secret Codon - Write a Message in DNA
String up a message. Pupils string together colored beads to code a word or short phrase. Each color represents one of the four DNA bases. Using a combination of three bases, learners create an amino acid that stand for each letter of...
Curated OER
Keyboarding - Encoding the Keys
Students write an encoded message. They write a short message and encode it by describing each letter's location on the keyboard. They decipher each other's messages.
Curated OER
Binary and Communication Systems
Students participate in an activity that introduces them to the concept of binary coding as a language. They decode messages using special boards that has its own code for different letters. They create new codes by rearranging wires...
Curated OER
Secret Writing Devices
Elementary and middle schoolers explore the world of secret writing, otherwise known as cryptography. After an interesting introduction to the activity, learners utilize a decoder badge which uses the St. Cyr cipher - which is a cipher...
Curated OER
Matrix Madness!!
Perform operations to add, subtract, multiply and divide matrices. Then solve problems with vectors using matrices. A three day lesson: Matrix Madness, Mystical Matrices, and Decode the Encode. The last lesson has prizes that the class...
Curated OER
Clock Arithmetic and Cryptography
Students investigate modular clock arithmetic and cryptography. They perform basic operations in modular (clock) arithmetic and encode and decode messages using simple shift and affine ciphers.
Curated OER
Clock Arithmetic and Cryptography
Young scholars perform basic operations in modular (clock) arithmetic. Students encode and decode messages using shift and affine ciphers. Young scholars apply their multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction skills.
Discovery Education
Satellite Telemetry
Satellites require rockets to launch, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand them. Future engineers learn about how satellites send data to Earth and how to interpret satellite images. They see how radio waves play a role...
Code.org
The Need for Encryption
Scholars investigate the need for encryption as they read a portion of the book Blown to Bits and discuss encryption techniques. They finish by attempting to decode a message written using a Caesar cipher.
Student Handouts
Break the Code: Earth Science
Crack the crust of earth science vocabulary with this vocabulary exercise. Kids use the key at the top of the page to decode the words that are written in numbers rather than letters. Each encoded word is part of a sentence that includes...
Curated OER
Secret Messages and Matrices
Students use matrices and linear equations to decrypt a secret message. They receive a part of the encoded message to decode by means of inverse matrices. Pupils write critiques about the activity.
Curated OER
Beginning and Ending Sounds - Lesson 1 of 2
Stamp, slap, and clap! Emergent readers demonstrate their awareness of the initial, medial vowel, and final sounds in spoken, short vowel, single-syllable words with a stamp/slap/clap activity. After identifying the letters and sounds of...
Curated OER
Smart Move!
Young scholars visualize a communication system. They encode, decode, transmit, receive and store messages. Students use a code sheet and flashlight for this process. They will also maintain a storage sheet from which they can retrieve...
Curated OER
Secret Pseudo-Protein Code
In this protein code worksheet, students are given a table of "Secret Pseudo-Protein Codes". They use the table to decode a DNA sequence and then encode an RNA sequence. They answer questions about the Secret Pseudo-Protein code.
EngageNY
Using Matrix Operations for Encryption
Data encryption is an important security measure for sensitive data stored on computers. Pupils learn how to utilize matrices for creating code. They also get a great review of matrix multiplication, inverse matrices, and the identity...
Curated OER
The Rotating Grille
Students experience the geometric method of coding by actual construction and use of a rotating grille. Students use rotations and reflections to code and decode messages. Students explore nomenclature and symmetry.
Curated OER
Fundamental Algebraic Skills
In this fundamental algebraic skills worksheet, students solve 11 various problems that include various algebraic skills. First, they use the coded wheel to answer 2 questions about a message. Then, students substitute the given numbers...
Curated OER
Communications: To the Rescue!
Learners role-play as soldiers rescuing lost mountain climbers. Working in teams, they interpret maps to locate the climbers and use flashlights to send and receive coded messages about the rescue. Their goal is to complete the task in...
Curated OER
Keyboarding - Decoding the Keys
Young scholars work in pairs to decipher encoded messages. They read off descriptions of each letter's location on the keyboard and type them into a document to form a message.