Civil War Espionage-Can You Catch a Spy?

Can you catch a spy? Students delve into the espionage work of spies of the Civil War? This lesson begins with the class working together to solve an inquiry riddle. The students ask yes/no questions centered on the items used in espionage. Next, the class moves into pairs. Pairs then read the background information, Tricks of the Trade, and complete Reading Questions. In the next phase of the lesson, students learn about different spies in the Civil War. Each pair is assigned a spy. To determine who their spy is, the pair must use a cipher wheel to decode their clue. Once the clue is decoded, students visit placards posted around the room. Once the pair has identified their spy, they check with the instructor to confirm their hypothesis. If their guess is correct, the pair lifts the placard and the name of the spy is written in Morse code. After solving the Morse Code, students pick up the spy assigned to them, read the placard and create a dossier for their spy. Pairs will share their spy with the class. Finally, the class will debate which of the spies, if any, should be accepted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.

When you purchase this activity, you will receive:

-teacher directions

-power point to guide instruction

-cipher wheel templates

-fifteen spy bios on placards

-spy blurbs for stations

-spy names in Morse Code

-key for Morse Code

-student reading, Tricks of the Trade

-reading questions for Tricks of the Trade

-template for spy dossier

Created by Melissa Aubuchon - Visit My Store