Navajo Code Talkers
Graphic Novel Book Walk
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D ___________ H _______________ C __________
Learning Target:
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I can stop and jot my thinking about characters across a graphic novel.
I can stop and jot my thinking about historical events across a novel.
I can use explicit and implicit text evidence to support my ideas.
Task 1: Before Reading:
Stop and jot about what you are noticing on the cover. Use your observations to help
you make a prediction bout the story.
EXPLICIT OBSERVATIONS
IMPLICIT OBSERVATIONS
Based on my observations, I predict
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Task 2: Stop and jot your thinking about the characters and historical people in the
story. You can use the graphic organizer below to track your ideas. Remember to use
explicit and implicit text evidence to support your thinking.
Philip
PhilipJohnston
Johnston
Admiral
Chester Nimitz
Charlie Yazhee
Lee Yazhee
Pedro
Admiral Chester Nimitz
Charlie Yazhee
Lee Yazhee
Pedro
Use the prompt to develop a theory about one of the characters.
A theory I have about ____ is …. I think this because…
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Task 3: Track your thinking about each chapter using a boxes and bullet format or
structure of your choice. Things that you will need to include for each chapter are:
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The main idea
Supporting details
Key events
An objective summary
Key Vocabulary
The introduction is modeled for you. The remaining chapters are your responsibility.
Chapter 1: Forbidden Words (Page 6-12)
Stop and Jot your thinking. How does what you read
fit with your theory? Don’t forget to use text
evidence to support your thinking.
* I’m
I’m thin
thinking that the Navajo were not
allowed to speak their own language
because when Charlie was reading and
speaking Navajo, Lee got nervous.
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It seems like the attack on Pearl Harbor
caused strong feeling immediately. For
example, Charlie said, “I’m ready to sign up.
I’ll teach them a lesson.” (p7)
Time Out: Navajo Nation
Main Idea:
Navajo culture has persevered over time.
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Native American tribe, with more
than 160,000 people.
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I’m thinking that the Navajo code is going to
change the way that the war is fought.
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It seems unfair that even though the Navajo
people are helping the US, many Americans
are still treating them with discrimination.
For example, Charlie and Lee get their
mouths washed out with soap for speaking
the very language that is helping the army
win the war. (p12)
Even though historically the Navajo
were driven off of their land, had
their homes destroyed and were
forcibly removed from their land,
Time is passing in this book and I have to
pay attention to the clues. For example on
page 8, it jumps to 1942.
In 1942 the idea to use the Navajo language
to crack the code was born.
The Navajo people are the largest
resulting in hardship and death,
they are still a strong culture today.
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Many Navajo speak their language
with pride and practice traditional
customs.
Key Vocabulary:
Definition:
Chapter 2: Boot Camp (Page 14-19)
Stop and Jot your thinking. How does what you read
fit with your theory? Don’t forget to use text
evidence to support your thinking.
Time Out: Code Words
Main Idea:
* I’m thin
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Key Vocabulary:
Definition:
Chapter 3: Guam (Page 22-28)
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Stop and Jot your thinking. How does what you read
fit with your theory? Don’t forget to use text
evidence to support your thinking.
* I’m thin
Time Out: Island Hopping
Main Idea:
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Key Vocabulary:
Definition:
Chapter 4: Ambush! (Page 30-36)
Stop and Jot your thinking. How does what you read
fit with your theory? Don’t forget to use text
evidence to support your thinking.
* I’m thin
Time Out: The Chamorros
Main Idea:
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Key Vocabulary:
Definition:
Chapter 5: Reunion (Page 38-44)
Stop and Jot your thinking. How does what you read
fit with your theory? Don’t forget to use text
evidence to support your thinking.
* I’m thin
Time Out: Iwo Jima
Main Idea:
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Key Vocabulary:
Definition:
Describe in a paragraph (3-5 sentences) how the Navajo Code Talkers helped in WWII.
In the space provided describe how you would have felt if you were a Navajo Code
talker and why.
Explain in a paragraph (3-5 sentences) how you would have felt if you were a Navajo Code talker and why.