Using cipher codes is a great way to get reluctant students to write. Present one or more of these cipher codes. Build up the suspense by discussing how spies carried secret assault plans through enemy lines using various codes. Be sure to grab the printable by clicking on this link.
Cipher Code #1 – Caesar Cipher
Sending coded messages during times of war has been around for centuries. In Julius Caesar’s code, you shift the letters of the alphabet. In this example, the letters shift three spaces to the left.
The shifts can change to the right or to the left. Also, the number of spaces the alphabet shifts can also be changed. This keeps the enemy from easily deciphering the message.
The handout includes a short passage about how Julius Caesar created his secret code. You will also find passages for students to decipher.
Cipher Code #2 – Morse Code
Morse Code was invented by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail. It uses a series of long and short pulses. A dot equals one short pulse (x) called a dit. The dashes called dahs are equal in length to three dots (3x). The space between each letter is equal to a dash (3x). The space between words is equal to seven dots (7x).
Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail developed the code for the telegraph machine. A telegraph operator would sit at the machine and tap out long and short taps to represent the letters in the message he was sending.
Read a short passage about Samuel Morse as well as three passages that tell about Morse Code was used in emergency situations in history:
the Sinking of the RMS Titanic
the Battle of Midway during World War II
Apollo 11, the Moon Landing
Cipher Code #3 – Vigenère Cipher
The Vigenère Cipher was invented by Giovan Battista Bellaso in 1553. It uses a table consisting of 26 alphabetized letters across and 27 letters down. To use this code, you must first know the secret phrase. During the American Civil War, the secret phrases included:
- Manchester Bluff
- Complete Victory
- Come Retribution
Using the phrase “Manchester Bluff,” this is how you would code the word “Jackson.”
You would first put your pointer finger of your right hand on the M in the top row of letters because Manchester Bluff begins with ‘M.’
Next, you would then put your pointer finger from your left hand on the letter J in the first column of letters because Jackson begins with the letter ‘J.’
Slide your fingers together staying on the row and column. Where your fingers meet, is the letter you would write down in your secret message. For ‘J’ the letter is ‘V.’
By following this process, the word “Jackson” would read as “VAPMZSF.”
Cipher Code #4 – Rosicrucian Cipher
The Rosicrucian (also known as the Pigpen Cipher) was first published in 1531 by both the Rosicrucian brotherhood and the Freemasons.
The cipher uses a geometric simple substitution. First, draw two grids (tic tac toe style) and two Xs. Write each letter of the alphabet in the blank spaces as shown. Add dots to the second grid and X to distinguish the two.
To use the code, swap out the shape the letter sits in for the letter. The chart below shows the shapes of the letters.
Students will enjoy solving this secret message using the Rosicrucian Cipher.
Cipher Codes – Online Decoder and Encoder Tools
1.dcode – Caesar Cipher
2.cryptii – Caesar Cipher
3.Boxentriq – Caesar Cipher
4.Morse Decoder – Morse Code Translator
5.MorseCode.World – Morse Code Translator
6.YouTube – Learn Morse Code in One Hour
10.Daniel Felix Ritchie Schoolf of Engineering & Computer Science – Vigenère Cipher
11.dcode – Rosicrucian Cipher
If you missed the link to the handout, here it is again.
I hope your students have fun with these.
