The Beale Cipher: Final and Ultimate QUEST Code of the Year!

Our 4th and 5th graders have been conducting a whole-class research project on one of the most intriguing real-life buried treasure stories in history. If you except this final code-cracking challenge of the year, you'll have some work to do. First you'll need to learn the background story (but the videos below will make it fun and easy) and you'll probably get sent off in a few different directions before you even get to the actual code challenge.

Are you up for it? Bring all the thinking skills we've been developing in QUEST all year (critical, logical, creative and so on) and plenty of patience and persistence, too. Those who stick with this challenge and crack it will receive a special certificate of merit.

OK, then, let's start by building some background...

What is the story of the Beale Cipher?
This basic Wikipedia entry lays out the story.

Wait, the Declaration of Independence is part of this mystery?
Yep, and here is what you need to know about that. Just be patient--at the end of this clip they make the connection to the Beale Cipher:

OK, now they are talking about Edgar Allen Poe, the guy who wrote those really scary stories?
Exactly. Here is a clip that explains the Poe connection.

Oh, and to save you some time, here is a link to The Gold Bug.

So no one has cracked this yet?
Actually, there are a few treasure hunters who claim they've found the location of Beale's treasure. Use your critical thinking and decide if you think they are on to something.

In Philadelphia?

In New Orleans?

And now for your code challenge!
Don't worry, I'm not going to ask you to decipher letters 1 and 3 and bring me a piece of the treasure (although if you do find it a little token of thanks for telling you about it would be appreciated). Instead, I'd like you to watch the film below ABOUT the Beale Cipher and crack a code in it. It is said the film makers included 16 different codes/ciphers in this short movie, but there is one in particular I'd like you to crack. Throughout the movie you will notice several numbers appear with circles around them. These seem to be connected to a specific book or story, and are most likely the key to unlocking something important about the mystery within this movie. It will be hard work, but hard work brings the best rewards.

PARENT NOTE: The film does contain some MINOR language. It is nothing I wouldn't allow my own elementary age children to watch in context, but contact me if you have any doubts!

Your mission is to pay close attention to the circled numbers, figure out which book or text they are connected to, and crack the code!

All Hail the Newest Code Challenge!

UKBGZ FX T IXGGR YKHF MAX RXTK RHN PXKX UHKG UR FTKVA 30 YHK T LIXVBTE IKBSX. WH GHM MXEE TGRHGX HK BM PBEE LIHBE MAX IKBSX!

Book Codes: A New Challenge

OK, it's been a while and I KNOW you are all ready for a fresh code challenge! Book codes have been used throughout history as a convenient way to pass on secret messages. The advantage of a book code is that you don't have to invent any special code words and create a code book from scratch. The disadvantage is that anyone who knows which book is your actual "code book" can crack your code!

In this case, I'm giving you a headstart: the book you'll need to crack this code is The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. So get your hands on a copy and start cracking!

169-7-2
168-10-8
266-8-1
205-15-5
225-3-8
225-3-11
363-14-4
410-2-7
61-9-2
479-16-3

An Important Thanksgiving Message -- In Code!

Can you solve this important message enciphered in the Greek Square cipher? It is also known as the "Polybius Square."

43115115 442315 44454225155443 24454344 151144 352415

To get credit for this one, turn in your deciphered answer on a sheet of paper. For a twist, write your name in the Greek Square cipher when you turn it in!

Thunk.com Code-breaking Challenge

OK, technically we will be dealing with a "cipher" rather than a code here, and our 4th and 5th graders should be able to tell you the precise difference. Here is what you need to do:

1. Select the enciphered message below.
2. Copy it.
3. Go to the website http://www.thunk.com
4. Paste the message into the message box and click Unscramble.
5. Follow the directions in the deciphered message and that is how I'll know you've cracked it!

Panrc jfax! Vo lfd ran anruvep cqvb lfd qrin untvgqnanu cqn znbbrpn. Efj unycn cqvb znbbrpn reu clgn ve lfda erzn, btqffy reu parun reu cqne tyvtx "Btarzsyn." Tfgl lfda btarzsynu znbbrpn vecf r tfzznec fe cqn syfp gfbc. Cqrc'b qfj V'yy xefj lfd uvu vc!(thunk.com)

Abe Lincoln and the Rail Fence Cipher

One common type of cipher is called a "transposition" cipher. You don't replace any letters of your message, but you do rearrange them in a specific way to make your message hard to read unless you know the rule to how it was mixed up. One transposition cipher that was used during the U.S. Civil War was called the "Railroad Cipher." It is actually not the hardest code to track, but it slowed down enemies enough in trying to decipher it that it served it's purpose. Lincoln was known to use ciphers in sending orders to his generals.

I wonder if Abe Lincoln ever sent a message like this?

WARDNCOE101FRPIE
EREOOTBR7R8OARZ

Good luck!

The Caesar Cipher

Caesar used a special cipher
to communicate with his
generals.

One of the first things we will clarify this year is the difference between a "code" and a "cipher." A cipher is a system of hiding a message where each letter of the original message (called the "plaintext") is replaced by another letter, number or symbol. A code is a system where a whole word can be replaced with another word, number or symbol.

WKLV LV RQH RI WKH ILUVW FLSKHU PHWKRGV XVHG LQ KLVWRUB. LW LV SUHWWB HDVB WR FUDFN. ZH ZLOO EH OHDUQLQJ DERXW KRZ LW LV FUDFNHG DQG KRZ LW OHG WR PRUH FRPSOLFDWHG FLSKHUV.

Oops! I seem to have accidentally written the previous paragraph using the famous Caesar cipher. Can you crack it? The diagram below and the website to the right might help.

GT Class Norms

Either this week or last week every class has had a discussion about our "GT Class Norms." These norms are the behaviors, mindsets and attitudes I am encouraging and expecting from all my QUEST students this year. Here they are, along with some brief explanations.

1. I will participate: In the brief periods we have together, there's no time to fade into the background and hide. To get the most out of QUEST you must be actively engaged and curious.
2. I will ask comlex questions about the topic: Since a primary goal of QUEST is to develop higher order thinking, we need an observable way to measure the level of thinking. The types of questions you formulate are a great indication.
3. I will use precise, specific words: QUEST should be a safe, risk-free laboratory for students to develop and practice advanced vocabulary and communication skills.
4. I will give reasons for answers: Being able to justify answers with sound thinking and logic is a key life skill.
5. I will think about my thinking: Metacognition. "Know Thyself."

There are also some old-fashioned "bad behavior" checks in place, but if students are following the norms above, behavior is hardly ever an issue. After the first major issue I communicate with the teacher, but anything beyond that involves direct communication with the parent.

Welcome to QUEST 2011-2012!

If you haven't figured it out yet from the theme of this year's blog, our topic this year in QUEST is "codes and ciphers," also known as cryptology. We'll explore the evolution of cryptology throughout history and in a variety of settings. It will also be a gateway into higher order thinking across the disciplines, from math/logic to science to social studies and language arts.

Please consider using the "Follow by Email" option on the blog main page to get email notifications whenever the blog has been updated. It will be an important tool for parents, as I will be providing information on our curriculum and projects (including photos and that sort of thing) as well as resources to support you as the parent of a gifted child.

There will also be resources for students, including links to recommended online activities and even some secretly embedded codes they'll need to solve! In fact, here is the first secret code of the year:

.-- . .-.. -.-. --- -- .   - ---   --.- ..- . ... -

. .- -   -.-- --- ..- .-.   ...- . --. . - .- -... .-.. . ...

Need a little help with that? First try the morse code reference chart above. Still can't crack it? OK, just this time you can try the "Morse Code Conversion" link on the right.

I'm very excited about this year and I hope your child is too!