Code Breakers

Today our gumshoes were up to the task of deciphering coded messages.  They looked at several different types of ciphers and codes and picked out patterns to uncover the underlying message.  They also wrote their own codes for their friends to crack.  Use these websites at home to continue with your explorations!

Mirror Writing

Cryptology

Code Examples

More Code Examples

Cryptokids

Crack the Code

We also practiced the Habit of Mind, Persisting as we looked at DNA codes and used them to match suspects to their crimes.  We used a "stuck on the escalator" analogy to discuss perseverance and taking the next step in our learning to overcome challenges.  Students used their close reading skills to understand DNA as the greatest code of all time.

For some fun and to review median, mode, and range, we played a math game with some friendly penguin buddies.  Students grouped the penguins on icebergs to create data sets for their friends to calculate the averages.

We also threw in some Mastermind!

Footprint Follow-up

We had a half day of ALERT due to my spending the morning bailing water from a burst pipe in my kitchen.  Whew.  When that fiasco was over and I finally had the kids, we spent some time reflecting and goal setting for the new year.  I am proud of all this class has accomplished.  I can already see a lot of growth and love watching them apply the language and skills of our Habits of Mind!  

We also did some field study follow up looking at a crime scene as a system and sharing about our highlights and takeaways of the trip.  We mixed in some math by looking at our footprints and using them to predict our height.  Students checked their measurements to see the correlation.