Project Overview: Working together in English, Math, and Art students will write short mystery stories with clear plot and character development. The mysteries must be solved using a variety of topics in math and basic cryptography. The stories will be illustrated and recorded into audio files with sound effects and then posted online to create an online book. A “How they solved it” section will be hyperlinked throughout the text to explain the encryption and decryption process and use of codes.
Exhibition - One story will be chosen per class with each class responsible for making the story come alive through dressing in character, props, QR codes and perhaps a scavenger hunt. The exhibition will be on Wednesday, March 14.
Essential questions: 1. How do we use codes to communicate or to prevent communication?
2. How can we use logic and patterns to help us make connections and uncover meaning?
Learning objectives:
Math:
*Understand and use matrix algebra (matrix multiplication, identity matrix, inverse matrix) to encrypt and decrypt messages
*Understand sequences and patterns
*Understand and apply basic counting principles and frequency analysis
*Create and solve ‘“cryptarithmetic” problems through reasoning and elimination
*Review and apply functions (notation, evaluation, composition, inverses, defined function notation)
English:
*Understand the elements of mystery writing/detective fiction
*Clearly communicate and logically order ideas and clues in order to create high quality short detective/mystery stories
*Use and understand logic and be able to identify logical fallacies
*Work on the critique/revision process, writing voice and POV, description, audience awareness
Art
*Design original cover illustrations
Relevant Resources
Movies: Enigma, National Treasure, Da Vinci Code, Windtalkers, U-571, Numb3rs
Books: Da Vinci Code, The Code Book, Navajo Code Talkers, Sherlock Holmes, Dashiell Hammmett