The note
How schools teach it now
Not taught in school. The 11+ strategy: write each word above its code, letter over number, and match letters to numbers. When codes are jumbled, look for repeated letters or words sharing a letter to find which code is which.
5-minute kitchen-table activity
Write a number code for a family member's name on a sticky note and another for a second name that shares letters (MUM 151, SAM 621). Ask your child to work out which number is which letter, then code a new word.
Worked example
If the code for MILK is 1234 and the code for SILK is 5234, what is the code for SLIM?
- From MILK: M = 1, I = 2, L = 3, K = 4.
- SILK starts with 5, so S = 5.
- SLIM is S, L, I, M = 5, 3, 2, 1.
Answer: 5321
Common mistakes to watch for
- Writing the numbers in the order of the example, not the new word.
- Assuming jumbled codes are in the same order as the words.
- Not checking the answer by decoding it again.
Encouragement
- Try saying
- “Write letter over number. That's how real code breakers work.”
- Rather than
- “Can't you just see it?”