Cozy sweaters, pumpkin flavored drinks, and the October themed Crack the Code are just a few of my favorite Fall things! If you’re looking for a SPOOKTACULAR activity for your students, you have come to the right place! I am going to walk you through one of my all time favorite Crack the Codes which is part of the Crack the Code Growing BUNDLE! Each Crack the Code is perfect for students in grades 1-5! During this Crack the Code, students will complete six October themed challenges and collect a Frankenstein piece for the successful completion of each one. For the final challenge, students will need to use all of their collected pieces in order to build a Frankenstein and officially Crack the Code!
This Crack the Code includes options for grades 1st-5th so you can pick and choose which option will best fit the needs of your classroom. You can also differentiate between groups using different math clue cards for different groups! Here is a closer look at Clue #1 where students will be solving some challenging math problems! You will notice differences between the clue cards in the pictures below, that help differentiate the clue cards across grade levels. Some clue cards are three steps vs. two, some clue cards provide values for some of the picture representations etc. This type of math puzzle will help enhance the students understanding of representing numbers.
For Clue #2 students will be using a text full of information about BATS! After reading the information about bats, students will need to sort the “bat cards” into factual vs. fake information about bats. Once the students have sorted the bats and located all of the bats containing TRUE facts, they will then use the hidden letters on the bat wings to spell a secret word (BAT). After completing this challenge students will learn so many new and interesting facts about bats!
Next up, Clue #3! For this challenge students will be given a zip-lock bag containing pieces to a puzzle They will also be provided with a pumpkin template where only the outline of the pumpkin is drawn. Students must use their puzzle pieces in order to recreate the pumpkin picture (similar to Tangrams) while ensuring that there are no gaps and no pieces overlapping. There are four different options for this puzzle so you can easily differentiate between students/groups!
Clue #4 is one of my favorite challenges because it contains a SECRET DECODER! Why do I love secret decoders so much? Because when students come across something they have NEVER seen before that’s when they truly learn to start problem solving! I love watching their wheels turn as they try and figure out how the decoder works! And the look of excitement when they finally figure it out is PRICELESS! This decoder works by locating the letters in the message on the top line of the decoder, and recording the letter that matches it on the bottom of the decoder. For example when they look up the letter T (top line) it really represents a G (bottom line directly under the top line T). This decoder comes in two options to make it more or less challenging to solve!
STEM CHALLENGE is always a favorite! In order to complete Clue #5 students must build a structure using candy pumpkins and toothpicks! There are two levels for this clue card, one that designates only 3 pumpkins may be touching the ground, and the other does not have a specified number listed! The students love this challenge, but they quickly realize it’s not as easy as it looks! Here is a student example of what the structure can look like. And of course the students get to eat the candy once they’re finished!
**TIP Sometimes the candy pumpkins can break easily, so I give the students a hint and let them know that the slower they poke the toothpick into the candy pumpkin, the more successful they will be in not breaking it! You can find these candy pumpkins right at your local grocery store!
For the last and FINAL CHALLENGE, students will complete Clue #6 by taking all of their collected Frankenstein pieces to build their very own Frankenstein! I love that there is no template for this, so each student’s design might look a little different! Once the students have created their Frankenstein they will have officially CRACKED THE OCTOBER CODE! For finishing they will earn their October Crack the Code printable badge!
I hope your kiddos have the absolute best time ever solving this October Crack the Code! Remember you can save BIG by grabbing the Crack the Code GROWING BUNDLE which has a Crack the Code for every month (grades 1-5) plus more!!! Here are some amazing reviews from other teachers who have completed this fun activity with their students!
