Vocabulary
What is the definition of a Foxhole?
a) Extremely enthusiastic and loyal
b) A state of having the same value, measure, or quantity as something else
c) A shallows ditch dug quickly to protect from enemy fire
c) A shallows ditch dug quickly to protect from enemy fire
What is the definition of Gung-ho
a) Extremely enthusiastic and loyal
b) terrible and sad
c) A job that someone has been assigned to
a) Extremely enthusiastic and loyal
Who is Ned Begay?
(full sentences and includes two or more details about him)
Ned Begay is the main character of the novel Code Talker. He is a Navajo native, he attended white boarding school until he enrolled in the Marines to become a Navajo Code Talker.
Why was Navajo the best language for the new secret code?
Navajo was the best language for the new code because no one outside of the Navajo nation could speak it fluently which made it that much harder to crack.
Ned performs several rituals and ceremonies throughout the novel. Describe one and it’s purpose.
At the beginning of the novel when Ned's parents give him permission to sign up for the marines they require him to participate in a Blessingway. Ned was happy to participate in this ceremony. The purpose of a Blessingway is place a layer of protection a person before they go and do something dangerous.
Throughout the novel when Ned is overseas he performs a daily ritual where he puts corn pollen on his head and throws some to each direction of the wind. This is a way to ask the ancestors for protection and balance while he is away from home.
At the end of the novel when Ned returns home he participates in a Enemyway. This ceremony is for when a person goes through something traumatic or difficult and needs help coming back into balance.
What is the definition of Reinforcements?
Additions of materials or people to a military force
What is informative writing?
when facts and information are used to communicate knowledge and insight about a specific topic
What is a code talker?
A secret position in the marines. These people spoke a secret code that used various Navajo words, either spelled out or with code names to send messages during WWII and beyond.
What happened after the Navajo Marines graduate boot camp? Where did they go and what did they learn?
The Navajo Marines were sent to code school to learn how to transmit important messages through a secret code.
When and why was Ned’s service of code talking declassified? Why was this important to Ned?
The code as well as the Navajos who created and spoke the code in the second world war were declassified in 1968. This was an important moment for Ned as well as all the other Navajo marines because they finally get to celebrate their accomplishments and the extent of their service to the United States.
What is the definition of equality?
A state of having the same value, measure, or quantity as something else
Use the word "civilian" in a sentence.
My brother used to be a marine but now that he's back home he's a civilian.
Some local civilians are helping rebuild after the disaster.
Navajos were wanted in the US military but what were the two requirements?
a) had to be fluent in English & Navajo
b) be between ages of 17-32
50 Bonus points if mentioned: many lied about their age because it was hard to tell how old Navajo's actually are
Sometimes when the Japanese had to move camp very fast they left behind their gear. Their food rations were much better than the marines and when the marines passed through their abandoned camps they would take left behind things. Why was that a bad idea?
The Japanese booby-trapped their supplies usually with bombs
It was important to Ned to remember his language and traditions even when he went to boarding school and was told it was bad. Why did he hold onto these things so strongly?
Ned's language and traditions are deeply important to him and his identity. He attended boarding school for his family and because he was so loyal to his family he refused to let go of his language and tradition. He conformed to the Bilagáana way of life on the outside but held onto his Navajo identity on the inside.
Use the word "bombardment" in a sentence.
I took cover as a bombardment of bullets came from the planes above.
Other appropriate answer:
Fill in the blank:
I wish I had an _____________ car so I could drive to Hawaii!
amphibious
I wish I had an amphibious car so I could drive to Hawaii!
What were the three things that were taken from the Navajo children when they arrived at boarding school?
Their clothes/jewelry
Their hair
Their identity (names)
One of the US military leaders wasn’t so sure about the code talkers, what changed his mind?
Ned's battle group was under heavy bombardment and when they said in English "We are Americans! Stop the artillery!" The other other side of the radio didn't believe them because many Japanese could speak perfect English to give misleading information to the Americas. The only way they could get the bombardment to stop they had to have Ned speak code into the radio. They needed a Navajo.
Throughout the novel Ned share’s bonding experiences with other Indian marines. Why is this time important to Ned? Share one of the stories.
Even when Ned is far from home he is still surrounded by fellow Navajos and other Indians. This is a comforting thing for him because he can still feel connected to his homeland and things that are core to his identity.
Ex: When in Guam, Ned meets a native who has the same passion for his homeland that Ned has for his.
Even when in terrifying situations Ned is calmed and comforted by the sounds of his Native language being transmitted through the radio.
Several times throughout the novel Ned and his fellow Navajo marines display their wealth of survival knowledge such as when they find water in the cacti, when they make chicken soup, or roast goat for food. During this time they can share their experiences with each other as well as other marines.
Provide an example of marginalization.
When Bobby is excluded from the tea party because he is a boy.
Mina is excluded from recess games because she's new to the school
Other examples
Fill in the blank:
I could never abandon my ________, I am completely loyal to my country and fellow soldiers.
Post
I could never abandon my post, I am completely loyal to my country and fellow soldiers.
What three things did Ned learn when he was in boot camp that were not physical?
a) Biligaanaas (white people) are not born knowing everything
b) in many of the important ways white men are no different from Navajos
c) That no matter who they are, people can always learn from each other
How did transmitting the code work?
There were two Navajos on each side of the radio. One had a headset with a microphone, attached to the radio. The other had a pen and paper. The one with the headset repeats the code to the one with the pad and pencil. They translated it, came up with a response, recoded it and sent the message back.
Ned’s teachers would say to him: “Neddie, you are almost as bright as a little white child (29).” What does this say about how white people thought of Native Americans? Include details from when Ned returns back to his homeland after the war and how he was treated when all he wanted was a soda.
White people often thought that Navajos (and usually anyone of color) were dumb and inferior to themselves. Ned's teacher was essentially saying you're very smart but you will never be as smart as a white person. This is further compounded when Ned returns as a veteran after WWII and is still treated as less than by the white shop owners because his is an Indian.