Honoring Indigenous Peoples

Lesson 10
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ELA

Unit 6

3rd Grade

Lesson 10 of 18

Objective


Explain why the Navajo Code Talkers were vital to the war. 

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code, A Navajo Code Talker's Story by Joseph Bruchac  p. 12 — end

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Why were Chester Nez and the Navajo Code Talkers vital to the war?

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • Describe how the Navajo men created a new code.

  • How was the code used? Use the word decrypt and encrypt in your answer. 

  • How did Chester feel when he returned from war? Why?

  • Why does the author include the Author’s Note? What additional information does the reader learn? 

Vocabulary


decrypt

v.

(p. 14)

to make a coded or unclear message understandable

encrypt

v.

(p. 14)

to change information from one form to another to hide its meaning

restore

v.

(p. 23)

to bring someone or something back to an earlier and better condition

vital

adj.

(p. 24)

critical or important

merge

v.

(p. 26)

to join together

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.3.3 — Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.
  • RI.3.7 — Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).

Supporting Standards

L.3.4
L.3.4.b
RF.3.3
RF.3.4
RI.3.1
RI.3.4
RI.3.10
SL.3.1
W.3.10

Next

Explain why being a Code Talker required both intelligence and bravery. 

Lesson 11
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Lesson Map

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