LIS 723 Fall 2012

Non-Fiction Elementary Age Library Program

Laurel Schilling

I Spy Become a Sleuth!

Library Program
This program is designed for children in grades 3 through 5 who are approximately 9 to 11 years old. Its purpose is to introduce children to the world of espionage and spy technology and to highlight the librarys non-fiction book collection. Children will learn how to create a cipher wheel, explore an indoor laser maze, and learn about real-life spies.

1. Introductory Activity: Spy Nametags and Disguises

Several weeks before program, collect old sunglasses to use for disguises. Ask co-workers to contribute, or ask the park district aquatic staff if they have unclaimed sunglasses left by patrons. Using a template from The Inspired Bride, reproduce paper mustaches on cardstock, cut them out, and glue them to craft sticks. (Note: Craft sticks can be purchased for under $5 through Amazon. If the library has a hot glue gun, great! If not, Elmers Craft Bond Tacky Glue is available through Amazon for under $2.) Suggest that the participants wear black tee-shirts to the program. http://www.inspiredbride.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/IB_mustache.pdf For the badges, use copyright-free spy clipart from the University of South Florida. Print badges using large-size labels, leaving space for the code name. http://etc.usf.edu/clipart.

2. Pick Code N ames

Cut a variety of nouns and adjectives from newspapers and magazines and place them in separate bowls. Invite the children to choose one noun and one adjective from the bowls for their code names, which they can write on their spy badges. Its OK to switch with other people!

3. Opening Activity: Quick Answer

LIS 723 Fall 2012

Non-Fiction Elementary Age Library Program

Laurel Schilling

Have participants sit in a circle with the librarian in the middle. Tell the children that spies have to think quickly on their feet and should never give the correct answer to a question because they dont want to give anything away! Children should try to answer within 1-2 seconds and not hesitate or stumble (but its OK if they cant. Were supposed to be having fun!) Here are some suggested questions to ask: What is your name? Where do you live? How old are you? Do you have any brothers? How many toes do you have? What month is this? How many months in a year? What is the weather outside? What letter comes after M? What is 4+2? What was President Washingtons first name? What number comes after 11? This idea comes from a website called simplefunkidparties. http://www.simplefunkidparties.com/spyparty.html

3. Code and Cipher Books at the Library

Before making the cipher disk, discuss why spies use codes and introduce to them some of the librarys code and cipher books. Tell the children that these books and others can be found in the JUV 652.8 Dewey Decimal section as well as JUV 327.12. Read page 9 in Codes and Codebreaking about Leon Battista, who invented the first cipher wheel. This book and other examples are cited below: Langley, Andrew. Codes and Codebreaking. Mankato: Smart Apple Media, 2010. Print. Did you know that codes have been used for centuries to hide messages from enemies? In Codes and Codebreaking, you will learn the history of code making from ancient Greece to modern times, how codes have been successfully cracked, and how computers have made codes even more complex and challenging to break. This informational book discusses famous code masters from Histiaeus of Miletus to Jonathan Jay Pollard.

LIS 723 Fall 2012

Non-Fiction Elementary Age Library Program

Laurel Schilling

Newcomb, Rain. The Master Spy Handbook. New York: Lark Books, 2005. Print. If you want to learn all the tricks about being a spy, this code and gadget book is for you! Agent O (who is really a full-time student) will introduce you to secret codes, stalking techniques, and disguises that you can use to foil your friends. Directions are easy to follow and use materials you already have at home.

King, Bart. The Big Book of Spy Stuff. Layton: Gibbs Smith, 2011. Print. Do you want to learn what it takes to be a spy besides just gadgets and codes? This book will teach you how to be a smooth operator, how to distract your target, how to escape your enemies, and how to disguise yourself just like the professionals. Sprinkled throughout the text are stories about the best spies throughout history, like author Roald Dahl who was a British spy during World War II!

3. Make a Cipher Wheel

Tell the children that they are going to make a cipher wheel, similar to the one invented by Leon Battista way back in the 1400s. Using a template from kidsmakestuff.com, you will have previously copied the two cipher wheels on cardstock and punched holes in middle so that they can be fastened with brass fasteners. (Brass fasteners are about $8 through Amazon.com.) Directions for making the cipher wheel, as well as the template, are available on kidsmakestuff.com.

http://www.kidsmakestuff.com/articles/show/18hm

LIS 723 Fall 2012

Non-Fiction Elementary Age Library Program

Laurel Schilling

5. Laser Obstacle course

Since spies sometimes have to escape tough situations, tell the children that they will have to escape a laser obstacle course. Using thick yarn and duct tape, you will have previously created this course in the youth activity room, or alternatively between two book stacks. The directions for constructing the course are available at the following website: http://www.escapadedirect.com/obstaclecourse.html

6. Break Time!
The children are all wound up and tired from the laser obstacle course, so it is time to take a break and offer some refreshments. If you have some money available and allergies are not a concern, you might prepare Mystery Munch, a combination of mini-pretzels, goldfish, M&Ms, mini-marshmallows, and gummy candies. This snack idea comes from the following website: http://party.kaboose.com/spy-party3.html

If allergies are a concern or you have a limited budget, you might simply offer the children an opportunity to get a drink of water and serve something simple like pretzels and popcorn. Pretzel and O-KE-DOKE popcorn bags are about $3 each at Jewel.

LIS 723 Fall 2012

Non-Fiction Elementary Age Library Program

Laurel Schilling

7. Browse Other Spy Bo ok Titles

The children might be interested in other spy books in the librarys collection. Have available an assortment of titles for children to peruse and potentially borrow. Make special mention of The Secret World of Spies book series by Susan Mitchell which are especially written for children ages 9 and up. There are six titles, each focusing on a particular aspect of espionage. These colorful and attractive books provide literacy support in reading, social studies, science and history. De Winter, James. Amazing Tricks of Real Spies. Mankato: Capstone Press, 2009. Print. Fridell, Ron. Spy Technology. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Company, 2007. Print. Gregory, Jillian. Breaking Secret Codes. Mankato: Capstone Press, 2011. Print. Gregory, Jillian. Making Secret Codes. Mankato: Capstone Press, 2011. Print. Head, Honor. Famous Spies. Mankato: Smart Apple Media, 2010. Print. Mitchell, Susan K. The Secret World of Spy Agencies. Berkeley Heights: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 2011. Print. Mitchell, Susan K. Spies and Lies Famous and Infamous Spies. Berkeley Heights: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 2011. Print. Mitchell, Susan K. Spies, Double Agents and Traitors. Berkeley Heights: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 2011. Print. Mitchell, Susan K. Spy Codes and Ciphers. Berkeley Heights: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 2011. Print. Mitchell, Susan K. Spy Gizmos and Gadgets. Berkeley Heights: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 2011. Print. Mitchell, Susan K. Spy Tech Digital Dangers. Berkeley Heights: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 2012. Print. Scott, Carey. Spies and Code Breakers: A Primary Source History. Pleasantville: Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2009. Print. Timblin, Stephen. Spy Technology. Mankato: Smart Apple Media, 2010. Print.