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Subjects

Art and design Computing Design and technology French Geography History Music Physical education Spanish Religion and worldviews RSE & PSHE Science Wellbeing

Lesson 1: Secret codes

Exploring a variety of different codes from simple Caesar ciphers to the Enigma code.

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Learning objective

To understand there are many different types of secret codes.

Success criteria

I can explain why codes might be valuable.
I

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National curriculum

Computing

Pupils should be taught to:

Design,

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Cross-curricular links

History

Pupils should be

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Before the lesson

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Lesson plan

Recap and recall

Before starting this unit, check that the children can recall: What copyright is and why people should seek permission to use other people’s photos, artwork and writing. Images, text, transitions and animation can be used in presentation slides. World War 2 was a battle between two groups of countries called the Allies (Britain, France, the…

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Adaptive teaching

Pupils needing extra support

Could have the clues on the Activity: Codebreaker worksheet highlighted to help them break the codes; could be shown the Teacher video: Secret codes; could move around the different codes as a carousel activity so the children can support each other (see Teacher knowledge); could be given clues from the answer sheet.

Pupils working at greater depth

Should make connections between the different codes they have looked at.

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Assessing progress and understanding

Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: explaining that codes can be used

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Vocabulary definitions

acrostic code

A type of code where the first letter of each word, line or paragraph spells out a hidden message.
Caesar cipher

A code where each letter is replaced by another letter a fixed number of places down the alphabet.

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In this unit

Assessment - Computing Y6: Bletchley Park and the history of computers

Lesson 1: Secret codes

Lesson 2: Brute force hacking

Lesson 3: Computers of the past

Lesson 4: Future computer

Lesson 5: Audio adverts

Originally created by:

Cat Lamin

Computing specialist

Cat is a former primary school teacher with 12 years of teaching experience. She has a passion for coding and computer science and specialises in supporting teachers who are getting started on their journey into using technology in the classroom. In 2017 she…

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