Grade 4 Students Break Codes to Discover Who We Are

Grade 4 students have stepped into the role of “code breakers” as part of their current IB PYP Unit of Inquiry on Who We Are. The activities, designed to develop teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills, have seen students working together to solve complex puzzles by putting their heads together.

“We’re working on a puzzle where we’re trying to crack a code. We’ve already cracked one and now we’re working on another,” said Grade 4 student Hallie, who was excited to have the opportunity to be working with new people. The puzzle-solving exercise has sparked creativity and critical thinking as students decode clues embedded in numbers.

The Code Breaker activity also taught students the importance of collaboration. “It teaches you communication,” Grade 4 student Logan said. “You have to be open-minded,” said Amy, another Grade 4 student. This focus on teamwork has been a crucial part of the lesson, encouraging students to embrace different ideas and perspectives.

Grade 4 teacher, Ms. McCall explained that the overarching theme of the unit on Who We Are is understanding how our actions affect the quality of life for ourselves and others. 

“It shows students how we work with each other when we’re collaborating, as well as the ATL skills that they need to have—being a good communicator, caring and principled,” she said. “We will keep presenting them with different challenges so that they have to communicate with their group and try to get points in the end.” 

ATL stands for Approaches to Learning, a key framework used in the IB Primary Years Programme to help students develop essential skills across different subject areas. These skills go beyond academic knowledge and focus on the strategies and attitudes students need to succeed in learning and in life. The puzzle activity is just one-way students are practicing essential life skills.

Recently, the class also took part in a marble challenge, where they learned that working as a team means listening to others, being open to suggestions and staying determined even when tasks become difficult. “These skills are essential, they’ll use them throughout their lives,” said Ms. McCall. 

The Unit of Inquiry on Who We Are allows students to explore deep questions about the nature of self. This includes their beliefs, values and how they approach relationships. Through activities like Code Breaker, they are learning about responsibility to others and the importance of personal, social and mental growth in a community.

As the students continue to crack codes and tackle new challenges, they’re building foundational skills that will benefit them well beyond the classroom.