In the mid-1800s, Samuel Morse helped create a code that was used in his new system of communication: telegraphs.
You may be familiar with the Morse code for “SOS”:
· · · ― ― ― · · ·
(or “dot dot dot, dash dash dash, dot dot dot”).
The three dots stand for “S” and the three dashes stand for “O.”
In Frank Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey’s memoir Cheaper by the Dozen, the authors (brother and sister) reveal how their father taught them Morse Code. He painted the dots and dashes of the code on the walls of their summer cottage and then created phrases to help them remember the code.
For the letter “C,” which is “dash, dot, dash, dot” ( — · — · ), he used the phrase “Careless Children.” The dashes are like accented syllables; therefore, Care-less Child-ren.
Morse Code
Here’s a list of the alphabet and numerals in Morse Code:
Now it’s your turn: Choose any letter of the alphabet and create a phrase for it that will help others remember the Morse Code for that letter.
A version of this prompt was first posted on SchoolhouseTeachers.com. You can go directly to SchoolhouseTeachers.com to sign up and take advantage of many exciting courses written for grades K-12. This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.
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