Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

Squigly's Secret Code

For Students 2nd - 3rd
In this Valentine's Day worksheet, students decipher a message by analyzing a given code. In the code, each letter of the alphabet is represented by a symbol.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coin Codes

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

Deciphering Morse Code

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students 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
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

Signal Corps

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars 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
Curated OER

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...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cryptogram

For Students 4th - 5th
In this cryptogram worksheet, students fill out the key to a code and decipher a cryptogram about Abraham Lincoln. Students fill in the missing letters and read the message. The pattern in the key is not obvious.
Worksheet
2
2
Curated OER

Addition Facts (Chinese New Year Puzzle)

For Students 1st - 2nd
In this math worksheet, students solve 15 basic addition facts with sums up to 20. Using the answers and the code key, students decipher the secret message about Chinese New Year.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Memorandum Regarding the

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students use the National Archives to research the memorandum regarding the enlistment of Navajo Indians during World War II.
Activity
PBS

Nova: Secrets, Lies, and Atomic Spies

For Students 9th - 10th
The companion site to the show by the same title. Interesting site allows the reader to decipher a coded message. Information on Venona Intercepts and interviews with children of famous spies.