English/Language Arts
Explore literary devices - allusion
Social Studies
Explore US History
STEM
Explore Computer science - origins in cryptography
Explore materials engineering
Art
Explore sculpture as an art form
Explore sculpture gardens
Research Skills
Explore media sources
Explore literary devices - allusion
- Author McClafferty give the sculpture Kryptos some very human traits. See if your students can find the examples of personification in this piece (Kryptos “waiting to be revealed” and standing “like a silent challenge”) and then see if they can explain why this choice works so well in the context of the rest of the Minute.
Social Studies
Explore US History
- Codes have been a part of US history from the very beginning. Take a look at the CIA cite to understand the role of intelligence in US history. And don’t forget to check out Carla McClafferty’s intriguing story, In Defiance of Hitler: The Secret Mission of Varian Fry.
STEM
Explore Computer science - origins in cryptography
- Secret messages are exciting - and not just for kids. Ciphers are the origin of computer coding. Khan Academy has a fascinating series of videos on cryptography, from Ancient times to the algorithms of computer coding. And when you are done, have your students try to crack some CIA codes on their own!
Explore materials engineering
- Author McClafferty tells us the sculpture is crafted from copper. Have your students explore why this would be a good materials choice for a sculpture like this. Are there other materials that may have worked? What is the process for cutting all of the letters out of the copper? How will the copper fare over time? Will this sculpture look the same in one hundred years?
Art
Explore sculpture as an art form
- Sculpture is all around us, though sometimes we are not aware. Discuss the role of sculpture as a form of artistic expression. What are the advantages? Disadvantages? What about materials? Do we see sculpture of certain materials tied to geographical location? Why? Get your students looking for local examples of sculpture in their lives.
Explore sculpture gardens
- Take a peek at Wikipedia’s list of sculpture parks. Is there one nearby? You may be surprised - I found two within twenty miles of my home (one less than five). Maybe you should think about a field trip. Not feasible? Take a virtual field trip though these parks by searching them online!
Research Skills
Explore media sources
- This is the right Minute to take your students for a closer look at media sources. According to sculptor Jim Sanborn’s website, Kryptos has been the subject of five National Public Radio stories , on Good Morning America, New York Times, and more. Take this opportunity to explore further and compare what different news outlets have to say about Kryptos. Chart the news organizations with the focus of their stories and the audience they are marketed to. Do patterns emerge?
© Karen Sterling, 2017 - May be used for educational purposes without written permission