Split the class into groups of about 4 students.
Give each group a whiteboard, though paper would suffice.
Students can use dictionaries if they wish. Sometimes this can help with pronunciation.
Take them through the warm-up level. Explain that each clue contains answers to the code. The code isn't a word, it is a random set of letters or numbers. This must be emphasised so the students aren't thinking that they have it wrong because their answers don't make a word.
Usually once I've gone through the warm-up, the students know what to expect in regards to how to crack the code. won = 1 , pea = p etc.
Set a time limit for level 1. I usually set about 3-4 minutes and then adjust accordingly for the next level.
Usually I will read out each clue before the start and if the students need help with pronunciation, I will help them with that too.
You can do a reveal at the end of each round by reading all the groups answers aloud.
I usually walk around the classroom visiting each group and if they've got one right, let them know so they can focus on another clue.
Either score groups based on whether they have the whole code complete or on how many they have right in one code.
I have used this game when the teacher has sprung a surprise 'any games you have for the lesson' about 5 minutes before said lesson. The students seem to really enjoy it and class engagement is usually very high.
Feel free to edit as you wish. The 'U' code on #7 might just be down to my accent that I see it as a 'U' so feel free to change that one. I've had a couple of groups get it but it is admittedly a bit tricky.
In code 3, one of the code letters is 'P' because it is the most common final letter in the clues. A lot of my classes have managed to solve that one. However when they haven't, I've used the hint '?' key, and usually most of them manage to get it after. I understand it's a bit of a stretch but I tried to keep the first couple codes quite simple in their solving and on this one, I ended up needing one final letter to complete the code.
This is so clean! Thanks for the upload.
i dont get the 4th line of #7...every, shirt, fail, field how is the answer U?
@Chrismerx I had a difficult time with that one too but I think it is because they all have a sort of U sound in the middle. It depends on pronunciation. Like
Every - Ev/Uh/Ri
Shirt - Sh/Uh/Ert
Fail - F/Uh/Ale
Field - F/Uh/eel/duh
I dont know the shortcuts for the phonetic alphabet so I am sorry if that doesnt help much, but it seems you REALLY gotta stress certain sounds to really sell it to the students.
Yes, jbjoker2 got it right. That one's a bit tricky I guess. It might just be my accent that pronounces it that way. By the 7th section, I had begun to run out of ideas and that's what came to mind. Please change it if you think it's too difficult. I have had a couple of groups get it. I usually explain all the answers after each code so it clears it up a bit.
this was really engaging for the students, definitely some of them are based on ones pronounciation but as long as you stress the right vowels it should be fine. I am not sure why the last letter ib code 3 is
Pbut somewhow the one class got it anyway. is it because the previouss lines all have words that end inP?Ksensei, yes it is haha, I couldn't think of how to add an extra letter so I just P as it's the most common last letter in the hints. Almost every class i've had have got it which is good but I agree it is a stretch sometimes haha.