Respiratory System Function Cryptogram Puzzle

This fun cryptogram puzzle is about the respiratory system for a human anatomy and physiology or biology course. A cryptogram is a type of puzzle with the encrypted text. In this cryptogram, students will decipher a number code to reveal the letters to form the text of the summary statement about respiratory system functions.

The header on both student pages has a horizontal letter-number assignment table. Students start the activity knowing the number assignments for six letters. The entire message appears as a series of blank lines grouped into what will become words. There are numbers located under half the letter lines. Students will use their insight to fill in the letters to complete the terms of the puzzle with the help of a word bank table on the third page. Students can keep track of their number-letter assignment findings on the tables on each page.

This puzzle features the following terms – allergens, bulk air, lungs, ventilation, olfactory chemoreceptors, carbon dioxide, oxygen, airborne pathogens, paranasal sinuses, respiratory system, nasal hairs, mucus, true vocal cords, smell, somatic cells, and sound.

This forty-five minute engaging activity is easy to grade and comes with a full-page key. It reinforces the critical functions of the respiratory system. This full-period exercise also serves as an ideal lesson plan for a substitute teacher.

This PDF file will become editable upon conversion to Microsoft Word using an Adobe Acrobat Reader DC app. This lesson was created on a 2016 Word document, which means it will have number alignment issues on older versions such as 2010. 

I appreciate your interest. I have taught high school science for over twenty-five years. I have published science education kits, games, books, and lessons through various education supply corporations since 2002. I am confident this lesson set will serve you and your students well!