Beginner Morse Code Flex Semester Class 9-13

This class uses lecture videos and Nearpod to teach students Morse Code. Students will have written practice where they will write out phrases and words into Morse Code. They will also listen to clips and translate from Morse Code into English. They will practice using lectures and Nearpod activities. These include match pairs, quizzes, open-ended questions, polls, time to climb, and flipgrid. This class will introduce a fun code based language that is simple to start learning and connects to history and STEM skills. Morse Code even counts for merit badges in Scouts BSA. This class is great for homeschooling styles unschooling, unit learning, and eclectic education.

Morse Code was invented by Samuel L. Morse in the 1800's and reinvented communication through technology. Today, it is used by the Military, for emergency communications, and by Amateur (Ham) Radio operators. This class will introduce Morse Code through the International Morse Code Alphabet. Students will learn it similar to learning a language. This class is broken down into 6 topics over 10 weeks. While this could be viewed a language, it is technically part of the development of radio technology and history.

The first week will introduce the alphabet, the written form and the sounds of the communications technology language. They will learn CQ, DE, SOS, and their name in Morse Code. They will need to learn to both write it, hear it, and say it in Morse Code.

Week 2 will introduce 1 and 2 character letters (T, E, A, I, M, N). Students will start to make words with those letters and continue practicing introducing themselves and translating basic words from Morse Code.

Week 3 will continue reviewing these letters and focus on being able to translate from audio and transmit consistently at 5wpm.

Week 4 will introduce 3 character letters (D, G, K, O, R, S, U, W). Students will continue building words with these letters and will play games to match them to their sounds in Morse Code. They will begin making simple sentences and hearing them in Morse Code.

Week 5 will continue reviewing these letters and focus on being able to translate from audio and transmit consistently at 5wpm.

Week 6 will introduce 4 character letters (B, C, F, H, J, L, P, Q, V, X, Y, Z). They will now have the use of the full alphabet to make phrases and begin communication practice fully with the teacher and translating sentences.

Week 7 will continue reviewing these letters and focus on being able to translate from audio and transmit consistently at 5wpm.

Week 8 will introduce punctuation and numbers. Students will begin working on speeding up their listening to the full 5wpm and practicing sending each other full messages.

Week 9 will review all the letters and include practice and troubleshooting, plus tips and tricks for memorizing.

Week 10 round out this practice and include an assessment test similar to the one that used to be used for the 5wpm test for Amateur Radio licenses by the ARRL.