Secret codes
This is a level 3 number activity from the Figure It Out series. It relates to stage 6 of the number framework. A PDF of the student activity is included.
About this resource
Figure It Out is a series of 80 books published between 1999 and 2009 to support teaching and learning in New Zealand classrooms.
This resource provides the teachers' notes and answers for one activity from the Figure It Out series. A printable PDF of the student activity can be downloaded from the materials that come with this resource.
Specific learning outcomes:
- Know multiplication facts.
- Know division facts.
Secret codes
Achievement objectives
NA3-2: Know basic multiplication and division facts.
Required materials
- Figure It Out, Levels 2–3, Basic Facts, "Secret codes", page 17
See Materials that come with this resource to download:
- Secret codes activity (.pdf)
Activity
Students will enjoy making up their own codes for others to solve. It is important for them to realise that the answers that match the given letters must have a number of possible facts in case that letter is used more than once.
A process for making such codes is:
The diagram shows the process for making codes as:
- Write a message.
- List the letters used.
- Assign an individual answer to each letter.
- Write a basic fact for each letter in the message.
- Check the code to see that it works.
Activity 1
If you multiply a number by zero, the answer will be zero.
Activity 2
A blue whale may weigh 134 tonnes.
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