Cipher Sleuths

JANUARY 2014 THIRD GRADE QUEST COMPLETED UNIT

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. -Albert Einstein

We nished our second unit!

Cracking Codes and Ciphers

words, should we eliminate words from our society and only use pictures? ---------------------------------------How do we communicate? We studied poetry, art, and music as forms of communication. Sometimes, communication, such as that of mood in art, music, and poetry, is given implicitly rather than explicitly. A discussion resulted centered around the idea of reading in between the lines - what does it mean? That is one way of communicating in secret, but using codes and ciphers are an explicit way of communicating secretly. ---------------------------------------Creating Ciphers Students created cipher discs to help them break codes!

The kids were very busy during this unit! We began the unit by looking at ancient number systems and studying hieroglyphics. We discussed similarities and differences and then compared Americas number system to other cultures systems, such as Japan. The kids then journaled their observations: Does our number system make sense? ---------------------------------------Our discussions then turned to symbols and their importance in our need to communicate. How many times a day do we rely on symbols? The kids thought of ideas such as symbols on trafc signs to discuss. After our discussions, the kids completed a 6 Thinking Hats assignment over the question: If a picture says 1,000 Contact Information: Sarah Parker sparker@popplano.org 972.380.5505 x155

to cipher a g in s U codes eaking r b e ic pract

g n i k n i h in progress!
Explain the human need for communication Understand that there are various modes and purposes of communication Recognize that numbers, letters, and symbols are used as way of communicating. Explain the difference between a code and cipher Understand that some forms of communication must be done in secret and that codes and ciphers are a way of communicating a secret message

Studying hieroglyphics helps us to understand how different number systems can be created.

LEARNING GOALS ACCOMPLISHED Through critical thinking and research, students were able to:

After studying ancient number systems, the kids created their own number systems!

Creating different types of codes

In terms of technology, there are hundreds of different types of codes. Whether you are talking about coding for a website or coding for a video game, technology runs on codes! One type of code we learned how to create was QR (Quick Response) Codes. Download a QR reader app on your phone to read this QR code!

WHERE ARE WE HEADED NEXT? For third quarter, we will be working through a unit called Mythbusters! We are going to be looking at the qualities of scientic myths and what classies an idea as a myth. We will also be creating our own scientic myths. PORTFOLIOS Cipher Sleuth Portfolios will be going home this week. Please make sure they are returned to school by Tuesday, January 28 so I can keep them for the kids ongoing QUEST portfolios.

Who does the pottery belong to? The students came across a piece of pottery with a secret message written on the back (see picture at top of newsletter). In order to nd out what the message said, they had to take everything that they learned into consideration. They rst had to decide whether it was a code or cipher, and then they had to use their knowledge of ciphers to solve the message! Hieroglyphics also came into play when they realized there were numbers written on the back! Ask your child how they knew whether it was a code or cipher, and how they solved it!

Using a Caesar C i p h e r, o r a substitution cipher, students wrote each other messages that they had to decode. Talk about patience!

Third Grade Theme:

Puzzles and Things

Enigmas
Enduring Understandings:
1. Enigmas are all around us. 2. Enigmas do not always have an explanation. 3. Enigmas require research when searching for possible answers. 4. In order to solve or understand an enigma, you must use both convergent and divergent thinking.

1. What has a face and two hands but no arms or legs? 2. Which month has 28 days? 3. Using only addition, how do you add eight 8s to get the number 1000? 4. What word looks the same backwards and upside down? 5. I add five to nine and get two. The answer is correct but how?
Answers at bottom left corner

5. When it is 9am, add 5 hours and you get 2pm. 4. SWIMS 3. 888 + 88 + 8 + 8 + 8+ 1000 2. All of them of course! 1. A Clock