Lesson 1
What is cryptography?
Introduction
Students learn how encryption and ciphers have been used over time, especially in World War Two, before cracking and creating their own ciphers.
Learning objectives
- To know what cryptography is and how it has been used over time to encrypt data and information
- To create and solve ciphers using logical reasoning
- To appreciate the importance of code breaking in World War Two through learning about Alan Turing
You will need
Downloadable resources:
- Lesson plan
- Lesson slides
- Student handouts
- code cracking sheet
- code cracking stickers
Other resources:
Paper - rough
Quick links

Lessons created in partnership with Nominet
Lesson plan
Introduction: Crack the code (5 minutes)
Introduction: Cryptography & ciphers (10 minutes)
Create and break ciphers (15 minutes)
Code breaking in WW2 (15 minutes)
Encryption in our lives today (5 minutes)
Review and wrap up (5 minutes)
Extension
Differentiation
Opportunities for assessment
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