It may be because we’re currently binge watching a CIA drama, but I’ve got spies on the brain. So much so that our first week of Willms Grove Elementary will be a spy themed week.
It’s honestly not the easiest week to plan, as I have to really think through series of clues and secret missions (and somehow tie it into what I want them to learn that week), but I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.
In all the planning that I’ve done, it’s clear that a spy theme could easily be worked into any fun family activity.
It took me a bit to wrap my head around creating a sequence of events and tasks for each of the missions, so I’ll let you in on my process in case it helps you. When I had an idea I would write it on the middle of a page, and then marked an arrow below to what it would lead to.
I would also then add things above it that would lead to that clue. Here is one of my flows as an example:
Secret mission with three keys with a C on each of them —> “C3” is the cipher wheel —> Find the cipher wheel and coded message —> message tells them where to find physical key —> Key opens a locked box —> Box contains a disguise to wear to library to pick out a mystery book.
Codes and ciphers are a key component of any good spy theme and there are so many you can find online. I personally am using a mirrored message as well as a colour selective message that they need special glasses for.
You could even use a code to invite your kids out for supper.
At one point I will be requiring my kids to film an alibi for a pretend crime, and send it to me to get a clue. I will also be delivering a secret filmed message by linking a quick response code to a video I’ll upload to YouTube.
There are so many fun options with this and hopefully this insight will get your wheels turning.
