Character Education CRACK THE CODE (Grades 1-5)

Crack the Codes allow students to feel success in all academic areas, while working hard to collaborate, persevere, and problem solve with their peers. Crack the Codes take students on a "scavenger hunt" style game where six clue cards will need to be located and solved. This resource includes options for grades 1st through 5th where you can pick and choose whichever clue cards best suit your students! Here is a closer look at what types of challenges are included in this Crack the Code!

In this challenge, students will work through 6 challenges and receive a key upon completion of each. Each challenge and corresponding key are character education values that are great for your students to focus on.

The challenges involve...

*Cooperation

*Generosity

*Perseverance

*Self-Control

*Equality

*Honesty

Cooperation Challenge: Students must work collaboratively to fill in a crossword puzzle of all words that are synonyms of cooperation.

Generosity: Students fill in generosity gems with acts of generosity which can later be displayed in the classroom.

Perseverance: Students will be challenged to PERSEVERE by completing a Sudoku. There are multiple levels of difficulties as well as very grid sizes making it appropriate for grades 1-5. (6x6 grid options as well as 4x4 grid options)

Self-Control: Students will sort self control slips into two piles, one for GOOD self-control and one for POOR self-control. To make this more challenging for grades 3-5 there are also options to have students not only sort the slips but complete the fill in the blank slips to make them self-control similes. For example a slip says Take a deep breath as slow as...students will fill in that blank and then put that slip on the GOOD self-control mat.

Equality: Students are given bags with candy. Each bag has a different amount of candy. Students are asked to discuss how they feel about getting different amounts. They are challenged to sort them into equal groups. And for the upper grades they are also asked to think about "should they sort the bags differently if it wasn't just kids holding them but rather some kids and some adults." This would spark the conversation that equal is not always everyone getting the same. With candy adults might not care as much and decide it should just be split between the children. This extension question is an optional add-on.

Honesty: Students are challenged with what to do if they were on a field trip and noticed a one hundred-dollar bill on the ground. No one would notice if they took it, and think of all the things they could buy. This challenges students to really think about honesty and why it's important to do the right thing even when no-one is watching.

The only additional supplies you will need in addition to printing this PDF is a zip lock bag, dry erase markers, and candy!

For grades 1st-2nd you can do this whole class as a Crack the Code or you could use each clue card as a CENTER. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need a modification. Thanks!

Included are...

Directions with lots of details included

Clue Cards (various options to choose from, grades 1-5 included)

Tips and Tricks on how to make this an engaging and exciting activity

Student Recording Sheet for students to show their work and submit at the end

Teaching Answer Sheet

Printable Award upon completion of activity (Badge)

Introduction Slide

To grab the CRACK THE CODE GROWING BUNDLE click HERE

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