Students' brains warmed up by working on their convergent and divergent thinking skills with a Number Junction puzzle, a 'Gotta Think-Let's Eat", as well as an independent logic puzzle. The class closely examined "cryptology" today. They went to the computer lab to research the history of cryptanalysis and the differences between a code and a cipher. Students determined what kind of cipher pattern Calder's and Tommy's followed. They then challenged themselves by creating their own codes and ciphers. Students came to the conclusion that to write and crack a code takes various different thinking strategies and skills.
The class was on pins and needles during the reading of our next two chapters in Chasing Vermeer. Their excitement climbed thinking Calder and Petra had located the missing painting, only to find it was a child's illustration of "The Lady Writing." Today's vocabulary words were: glower, dismal, plod, reminisce. Students used their creative talents to act out the definitions and review the vocabulary list.
Homework: Work on mystery project. Early finishers can share next week. Project due after Thanksgiving break.
