Enigma by Graeme Base

Enigma is the second of Graeme Base's mystery children's books.  He learned some "code breaking" lessons from his first book, The Eleventh Hour (which is my FAVORITE Graeme Base book and will be saved for last because of its AMAZINGNESS!!!), and put an actual "enigma machine" in the back cover of the book.  This way you can just reset the "machine" and a whole new group of kids can break the code.  This man is a genius!! Did I mention how much I like him?  OK, back to business...

Some activities to do with this book:

1) Decide a Definition: What is an enigma?  The dictionary gives four definitions of the word: enigma.  Ask your kids what they think an enigma is then present the four definitions to your kids before reading the book.  You can keep them posted on your white board while reading and then go back to them after you are done.  Have your kids decide which definition best fits with the story.  (Deciding a definition is a question is every Reading TAKS/STAAR test I have seen so this is a great way to support that).

Get your Definitions here!

2) Lost/Stolen Items Chart: Create a chart with the names of the residents of the retirement home, what type of animal they are, what type of performer they are, and what they lost.  This is an easy way to work on classifying.

3) The Enigma Machine: Watch WWII Enigma Machine: The Enigma Project on YouTube to learn how a real enigma machine worked.  It is about 5 minutes long and provides an inside view of a real machine using during the war.  Before watching the clip you can talk to your kids about why it might be important to send your messages in code and how it was used during the war by the Nazis.  The allied forces had code breakers that cracked the code of the enigma machine and may have helped to cut the war in Europe by two years. 

Get a the Clip here!

4) Decoding Enigmas: After learning about a real enigma machine, try to open the book's machine.  If you can't figure out the code, Base gives you a clue on the copyright page.  Look for the missing items with the enigma clues and add their location to the chart you have previously made.  I like to have the answers in advance in case my kids have a hard time decoding and to make it go faster.  I let them figure out one location and then pull out my previously decoded answers so they can just locate stuff. 

Get your Enigma Answers here!

                                          Photo curtsey of Furiosity's Flickr account

5) Magic Potions:  For this book's cooking activity we make magic potions (a la Magic Time Machine).  They are really easy, taste really good, and bubble!  All you need is equal parts orange juice, pineapple juice, and sprite.  Add a bit of food coloring to change the potion's color, a few bits of dry ice for the bubble, and then ENJOY!!! (Don't forget that dry ice is dangerous to touch so make sure your kids are careful!)

Get your Permission Slip here!