The Cryptoclub: Using Mathematics to Make and Break Secret Codes
By Janet Beissinger and Vera Pless
Daria Tsoupikova, Artist
The Cryptoclub teaches cryptography and the related mathematics to middle grade students. We wrote it to be used in classrooms and also by kids who want to learn about secret codes on their own or with friends.
We tested it in Grades 5-8, in a variety of settings: regular math classes, gifted classes, remedial math classes, math clubs, after-school programs, a museum camp, and a cross-curricular class that integrated social studies, math, and language arts. We found that students of all abilities enjoy the beginning chapters and advanced students and independent learners enjoy the challenge of the chapters near the end of the book.
The cryptography topics covered range from the classical encryption systems and the historical context in which they were used, through public key encryption that is used to provide secrecy in electronic messages today.The mathematical topics covered include positive and negative numbers, percents, decimals, prime factorization and common factors, inverses, exponents, and division with remainder (modular arithmetic).
Click for the Table of Contents, Forward, and Preface.
For reviews and information about ordering the book, go to the web site of our publisher, CRC Press.
The Cryptoclub Workbook is designed to accompany the book. It can be purchased as a hard copy, or downloaded (at no charge) from the publisher's website.
The Cryptoclub Teacher Materials are available at no charge from the publisher (please contact the Academic Sales Manager, Susie Carlisle). These teacher materials include lesson guides, an answer key, and blackline masters.