NAME: _____________________________ PERIOD: _____
CODE TALKER
Reading Project
(100 possible points)
Your assignment is to complete the activities and requirements related to the
literature study we are doing in class. Please follow the checklist below.
Checklist:
_____
1. Answer the discussion questions on a separate piece of paper
using complete sentences. (20 points)
______
2. Completes Cause and Effect Chart with a minimum of 3 causes
and effects. Responds to the question using complete sentences.
(10 points)
______
3. Fills in the Details Web and responds to the question using
complete sentences. (10 points)
______
4. Thoroughly completes the Venn Diagram and responds to the
question. (10 points)
______
5. Book Trailer – see attached sheet for details. (50 points)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Ned tells about some of the Navajo traditions, sayings, and ceremonies.
traditions does your family have, and how are they important to you?
What
2. On the sign in front of Ned’s mission school is the motto: “Tradition is the enemy
of progress”. What does this motto mean to the teachers of the mission school?
3. How would you describe the teaching methods and classroom styles of Ned’s
teachers in the boarding school? What do you think of the methods Ned’s teachers
use, both to teach and to discipline their students?
4. The Navajos vow to help America. Why is this surprising?
5. Ned says that his weeks in training at Camp Elliott are “some of the best in my
life”. Why is this so?
6. Ned notices that the Navajos have a much easier time adjusting to life as Marines
than the white men. Why does he feel his life as a Navajo prepared him for being a
Marine?
7. Ned argues that Philip Johnson did not develop the Navajo code. What evidence
does he use?
8. Why does Jimmy treat the piece of chalk from Johnny as if it were a medal?
9. Ned is glad that friends surround him during the war. Who or what helps you
deal with tough experiences? Why?
10. Why is it fun for the Navajos to keep the cactuses a secret?
11. What are the four rules for sending messages in the field, and how did Ned learn
why they were so important?
12. Ned says he met the president many years after the war. What does this
foreshadowing tell you?
13. One of the Marine generals writes a report saying, “The Navajos have proved to
be excellent Marines, intelligent, industrious, easily taught to send and receive by
key and excellent in the field”. Why is Ned so surprised to read this report?
14. On page 144 Wilfred says they could not “celebrate after that victory.” What
does he mean?
15. Ned mentions that the Japanese army does not follow the “rules of modern
warfare”. List three examples that support Ned’s statement.
16. How does the author make you feel the tension and fear of the Suribachi battle?
17. Describing the battle of Iwo Jima, Ned says, “Our Navajo nets kept everything
connected like a spider’s strands spanning distant branches”. How does this simile
describe the work of the code talkers?
18. The bar sign on page 210 means that they do not sell drinks to Indians. Ned
jokes that it means they do not sell Indians. What does this show about Ned?
19. In Code Talker, the character Ned Begay is telling his grandchildren the story
of his time spent as a Marine in World War II. How do you think Ned’s grandchildren
would feel about their grandfather after hearing about his experiences? What do
you think is the most important lesson that Ned’s grandchildren might learn from his
story?
20. How can language divide and unite people? How would Ned answer this question?
EXTRA CREDIT (10 points possible each)
1. Create a detailed map of the South Pacific, tracing Ned’s travels as a code talker,
from Guadalcanal to Okinawa, and all the places he visited in between. Draw a small
picture or symbol to show what happened at each of the locations Ned visited.
2. Imagine that the character Ned Begay is a real person who will be visiting your
school to talk about his experience as a code talker. Make a flyer advertising Ned’s
visit that will encourage your classmates to come hear him speak.
Character’s Point of View - In Chapters 1–9, Ned leaves home and his life changes.
List what happens to Ned at mission school in the Causes column and then list the
effects of these events.
Cause and Effect Chart
Causes
Effects
What happens at mission school that makes Ned so eager to become a Marine?
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Cause and Effect - In Chapters 10-16, Ned goes through boot camp, learns the code,
and prepares for fighting. List Ned’s feelings and experiences in the Details Web.
Detail Web
Ned’s feelings
and experiences
at Boot Camp
How does being Navajo affect Ned’s feelings and experiences in the Marines?
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Setting In Chapters 17-21, you read about the first two islands Ned is sent to
during the war. Write characteristics and events that occur on each island and on
both. You should have a minimum of 5 details in each portion.
Venn Diagram
How do the different settings affect the marines? What helps them deal with their
challenges?
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CODE TALKER
Book Trailer
Create a movie trailer based on the book Code Talker. Your trailer should include at
least one slide for each of the following elements of literature:
Characters:
Should include a brief introduction and description of each of
the main characters based on evidence from the novel.
Setting:
Time frame, place(s), including a description.
Theme:
The moral or what the story tried to teach us or show us. (You
should include at least 2.)
Plot:
The plot should include beginning, middle, and end, including the
climax and resolution.
Conflict:
Identify at least 3 types conflict that occurred in the book,
giving evidence from the story to support the conflict.
Mood:
How does it make you feel?
Your PROMOTION SLIDE (first slide) should entice the audience, state the title
of the book, and give the author’s name.
You should include images and sound.
NAME: ______________________________________ PERIOD: _________
CODE TALKER
Book Trailer
Grading Sheet
CATEGORY
Characters
Setting
Theme
Plot
Conflict
Mood
Promotion Slide
Description
Points
Worth
Introduction and
description using
evidence from the
story
Time frame, place,
description
Moral or lessons
learned
Beginning, middle,
end, including
climax and
resolution.
Variety and
description of
each from the
story
How it makes you
feel
Enticing and
includes book title
and author
Sound and Images
Conventions
Points Awarded
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
10
Correct grammar
usage,
punctuation, and
spelling
TOTAL POINTS
5
50
NAME: _____________________________ PERIOD: _____
CODE TALKER
Reading Project
(100 possible points)
Points
Received
_____
1. Answered the discussion questions on a separate piece of paper
using complete sentences. (20 points)
______
2. Completed the Cause and Effect Chart with a minimum of 5 causes
and effects. Responded to the question using complete sentences.
(10 points)
______
3. Filled in the Details Web and responded to the question using
complete sentences. (10 points)
______
4. Thoroughly completed the Venn Diagram and responded to the
question. (10 points)
______
5. Book Trailer – see other side (50 points)
______
TOTAL POINTS AWARDED
______
Extra Credit