binary code Archives - JDaniel4s Mom

Using Five Fingers – Binary Code Alphabet Equations and Riddles

March 12, 2023 By Deirdre

Teaching children how a binary number system works can be tricky. Once they get that you will want to move on to further explain that a binary number is used by a computer to represent each alphabet letter. The next tricky part of binary numbers is teaching children that each letter has two binary codes assigned to it. One for the uppercase letter and one for the lowercase letter. Any or all of this may be confusing or tricky. Let’s look at using the five finger model to explore bit binary code alphabet equations and riddles pages.

Binary Code Alphabet Equations and Riddles

Five Finger Binary Number Model

Recently I learned about the five finger explanation for the math part of a binary number. Each of the fingers on a hand is assigned a number. If the binary code has a 1 in the same number position or place as a numbered finger, it will be used in the equation to find out the letter it represents. Each of the last five digits of a binary number when added together will equal the number position an alphabet letter has in the alphabet.

Overview

As you will see below it starts with the thumb representing the last bit or number in an eight-digit binary number. The number represented by the thumb is one. That means if there is a one in the last space there will be a one in the equation that adds up to the sum that represents each particular letter. When there is a zero in that spot, that number will not be part of the equation. You can tell your children that a one means the position is on and a zero means the position is off. When space is off, it isn’t active.

What Does Each Finger Represent

Let’s look at the remaining fingers. The pointer finger is a two or a double of one. The tall man or middle finger is four or a double of two. (Yes, the numbers are doubled at the move from thumb to pinky. ) The ring finger is eight or a double of four. The pinky finger is represented by a sixteen.

Example:

J is the 10th letter of the alphabet

The last five bits in the binary code for J are 01010.

Its number equation would be 0+8+0+2+0=10

What About the First Three Numbers?

You can tell if a letter is a capital or lowercase letter by looking at its first three digits. An uppercase letter starts with a 010. A lowercase letter starts with 011. While those numbers are not part of the equation, they are key to knowing if the letter is at the start of a sentence or is a proper noun.

Getting the Binary Code Alphabet Equations and Riddles

The February STEAM activity calendar is a PDF. Once you have downloaded, the set you will need to open it with a PDF reader like Acrobat Reader.

First, you will need to download the set.

Binary Code Alphabet Equations and Riddles Download

Second, if you don’t have Acrobat Reader you will need to download it. The algorithm page is an Acrobat Reader PDF file.

Third, you must go to your download file and open the page. You may be asked if you want the file to open right after downloading it. You won’t have to hunt for it in your download file if you are.

What the Set Contains

The set features three pages. You can decide which pages of the set you want to use.

First, there is a page that explains much of what I shared in this post. It shares the number hand, an alphabet chart with numbered letters, a lowercase number chart, and a word to find the binary numbers and equations.

Next, there is a page that gives students a lot of equation writing practice. It doesn’t have a lot of explanation of what the equations mean.

Finally, there is a page that features binary riddles for children to solve. Each riddle has a place to write each letter’s equation.

Binary Code for Kids- Spelling Sneaker Words

July 22, 2020 By Deirdre

Binary code can be challenging for kids to understand. This set of worksheets invites kids to spell various parts of a sneaker in binary code. While these worksheets were created to go with a Pete the Cat coding unit, they could be used to just explore binary code. If sneaker words aren’t what you want to explore, I have more sets available. There are currently sets that examine parts of a shark, patriotic words, and Valentine’s Day words.

Getting Ready for the Activity

First, Getting the Binary Code Set

Before you download the Binary Code for Kids – Spelling Sneaker Words, you will need to make sure you have a PDF reader. Acrobat reader is a popular PDF and is the one I use. Next, you will need to decide which of the words you want to explore with your children.

You may want to print out two different worksheets for each of your children. One you would do with your children. Then one they could do on their own.

Explaining Binary Code to Your Kids

It is the code used by a computer to understand letters, numbers, symbols, and commands. The code uses groups of 8 numbers to represent each letter, number, symbol, and command you type in on a keyboard. The only numbers that the computer can use to create the code are 0s and 1s.

Binary code can be confusing. Therefore, you may want to visit Teach Kids Binary in One Simple Step to get more information on how to teach it to your kids.

Exploring the Sneaker Words

First, you will want to explain what binary code is to your children. A simple explanation is shared above.
Then your children will need to look for the code for each letter in the chart at the bottom of the page.
Next, they will need to write each number for the code on one of the little lines after each letter.
After that, your children must fill in circles next to the number representing a one.
Finally, you will want them to check their work. It is really easy to color in the wrong circle or put a zero in one’s place.

If they have worked on this page with you, you may want them to work on another one on their own. They could also try and come up with another sneaker word. The code for their sneaker word could be written on a separate piece of paper or the back of the worksheet.

If you like this binary code activity, you will love these:

Pool Noodle Ideas- Building Binary Codes

Color By Binary Numbers Shark Coloring Pages

Binary Code Countdown Rockets

Binary Code for Kids- Spelling Shark Printables

July 9, 2020 By Deirdre

This set of binary code for kids spelling printables focuses on the words shark, tooth, and fin. These shark printables are a fun way to introduce your children to the binary code for alphabet letters. There is a binary code key at the bottom of each page. Children write the code for each letter beside it. Then they will color in the byte or group of circles beside the code. The ones in the code will be filled in. The zeros in the code will be left blank.

What is a Binary Code?

Binary code can be confusing. Therefore, you may want to visit Teach Kids Binary in One Simple Stepto to get more information on how to teach it to your kids.

Getting the Shark Printables

First, you will need to download Binary Code for Kids – Spelling Shark Words .

Second, you will need to open the worksheet set in Acrobat Reader. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader, you can use whatever PDF reader you have on your computer.

Third, you will need to print out one worksheet for each of your children. You will notice that the set includes answer keys.

Exploring Coding Before Starting the Activity

Below you will find some wonderful books that talk about coding for kids.

Working on Spelling Shark Words in Binary Code

First, you will want your children to search the binary alphabet chart at the bottom of the worksheet to find the numeric code for each letter. (You may want to let them know that the codes they are working with represent capital letters. Lowercase letters have a slightly different binary code.)

Once they placed each letter’s 0’s and 1’s on the lines, they are ready to move on to coloring the circles next to the code with a pencil. They will leave all the circles that represent 0’s empty. The circles that represent 1’s will be colored in.

After that, you will want them to double-check that they have filled the correct circles. It is easy to mix up which circles need to be filled in and which don’t. It is for that reason I suggested your children will them in with a pencil.

Why Fill in Eight Circles?

A computer uses a group of eight switches to send a binary code. The switches can be turned on or be left off. Each 0 in a binary code represents a switch left off. Each 1 represents a switch turned on. Your children will create a visual of the switches turned on or left off for each letter.

If you like this binary code activity, here are some more coding activities you will love.

Pool Noodle Ideas- Building Binary Codes

Gruffalo Coding Sheet

The Snowy Day Coding Printable

Magical Creatures STEM Coding and Drawing Page

This is part of the Shark Worksheets for Kids (Five Days Worth) event.

Binary Code for Kids Worksheet- Spelling Love

February 9, 2019 By Deirdre

$Binary Code for Kids Worksheet- Spelling Love$

Your children will have fun exploring the binary code alphabet chart on this binary code for kids worksheet. They will need to use the chart to find the eight digit code for each of the letters in the word love. This would be a great activity to do on or before Valentine’s Day.

What is a Binary Code?

It is the code used by a computer to understand letters, number, symbols, and commands. The code uses groups of 8 numbers to represent each letter, number, symbol, and command you type in on a keyboard. The only numbers that the computer can use to create the code are 0’s and 1’s.

If you want to learn more about binary code, you can visit Teach Kids Binary in One Simple Step.

Getting the Binary Code for Kids Worksheet

First, you will need to download Binary Code for Kids – Spelling Love worksheet.

Second, you will need to open the worksheet set in Acrobat Reader.

Third, you will need to print out one worksheet for each of your children. You will notice that the set includes an answer key.

Exploring Coding Before Starting the Activity

Below you will find some wonderful books that talk about coding for kids.

Working on Spelling Love in Binary

Once they placed each letter’s 0’s and 1’s on the lines, they are ready to move on to coloring the circles next to the code. They will leave all the circles that represent 0’s empty. The circles that represent 1’s will be colored in. Why? A computer uses a group of eight switches to send a binary code. The switches can be turned on or be left off. Each 0 in a binary code represents a switch left off. Each 1 represents a switch turned on. Your children will create a visual of the switches turned on or left off for each letter.

If you like this coding activity, here are some more you can explore with your kids.

Pool Noodle Ideas- Building Binary Codes

Gruffalo Coding Sheet

The Snowy Day Coding Printable

Magical Creatures STEM Coding and Drawing Page

Pool Noodle Ideas – Building Letters in Binary Code

June 20, 2018 By Deirdre

Each summer I like to share pool noodle ideas with you. Previously I have shared a pool noodle shark craft, a pool noodle airplane that actually flies, and an addition fact activity. Today I have an activity for your that combines binary code and the letters of the alphabet. (I will be sharing it at a session of a technology conference I will be presenting at in July focusing on learning to code offline.) Your children will have fun exploring it too.

What is Binary Code?

It is the code used by a computer to understand letters, number, symbols, and commands. The code uses groups of 8 numbers to represent each letter, number, symbol, and command. The only numbers that the computer can use to create the code are 0’s and 1’s. The blue pool noodle sections will represent the 0’s and the red sections will represent the 1’s.

Getting the Pool Noodle Sections Ready

You will need to cut 1-inch sections out of a red and a blue pool noodle. Each of your children will need eight poodle sections in each color. A serrated knife will probably be the easiest knife to cut with.

It is totally okay if each of the sections isn’t cut into perfectly flat on the top and bottom. The key is to try to make them as close to 1-inch tall as possible.

Getting the Binary Code Letter Cards Ready

You will need to print out a set of Pool Noodle Ideas -Building Letters in Binary Code cards for your children to explore. The cards were designed to be printed out in color onto cardstock. If you want each of your children to work on the same letter at the same time, you will want to print out a set of building letter cards for each of your children.

Once you have printed out the set, you will need to cut each card in half. You will notice that there are two letter cards on each page.

Exploring the Binary Code Letters with Pool Noodle Sections

As you children work on each letter, they will need to lay out the pool noodles in the pattern shown on the card. You will want to check each of their noodle codes to make sure that they match the ones on their card.

Once they have completed a letter, they can move on to another letter. If they didn’t start with the letter that starts their name, you may want them to work on that one next.