Classroom Resource

Scytale Messages

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

3, 5, 8

Overview

Make a coded message called a scytale message to send to a friend. This activity from Zoom focuses on your ability to follow directions and requires a cylinder. This learning activity can be used during a lesson on encryption.

Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 3

DLCS18.3.1

Use numbers or letters to represent information in another form.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.3.1

Vocabulary

  • encryption
  • secret codes

Knowledge

Students know:
  • techniques for understanding how to representing information in another way using numbers or letters.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • use letters or numbers to represent information in another form.
  • use a secret code to determine information represented in letters and/or numbers.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • numbers and/or letters can represent information in another way.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 5

DLCS18.5.1

Construct a complex system of numbers or letters to represent information.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.5.1

Vocabulary

  • code
  • cipher

Knowledge

Students know:
  • computer use a complex system of numbers or letters to represent and transmit information.
  • they can create a code or a complex system of numbers or letters to represent information.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • construct a complex system of numbers or letters to represent information.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • there are an infinte amount of combinations for a complex system of numbers or letters to represent information.
  • computers use a complex system of numbers or letters to represent information.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

DLCS18.8.22

Encrypt and decrypt various data.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.8.22

Vocabulary

  • encrypt
  • decrypt

Knowledge

Students know:
  • cyphers can be used to encrypt and then decrypt a message.
  • that computers use complicated cyphers to keep data safe when being transmitted electronically.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • either physically or digitally encrypt and decrypt data.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • some data needs to be protected as it is transmitted digitally.
Link to Resource
https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/arct14.math.zscytale/scytale-message…

CR Resource Type

Learning Activity

Resource Provider

PBS
Accessibility
License

License Type

CUSTOM

Custom License Type (URL)

https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/help/terms-of-use/

Comments or Notes

PBS Learningmedia is a free resource for educators. Educators can create a free account to save resources to their dashboard and assign resources to students.

Approved Date

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