K20 LEARN
Word Warriors: The Code Talkers of Oklahoma
The battle between code makers and code breakers has been going on for centuries and is a key tool of warfare. The contributions of the Native American Code Talkers of World Wars I and II are celebrated in a lesson plan that features a...
Curated OER
Navajo Code Talkers
An engaging lesson focuses on the contributions of the Navajo people during World War II. Learners read the book Navajo Code Talkers by Andrew Santella, answer a series of comprehension questions about the text, and write a letter as a...
Core Knowledge Foundation
Unit 8: Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac Teacher Guide
Joseph Bruchac's Code Talker tells the remarkable story of Navajo Marines' role in battles of the Pacific Theater during World War II. As scholars read the novel, they also engage in activities that expand their knowledge of Navajo...
Carolina K-12
Reemergence of the “Vanishing Americans” ‐ Native Americans and World War II
Discover the many contributions and sacrifices of Native Americans during World War II. After gaining background information through a detailed PowerPoint presentation and guided notes, your young historians will participate in a jigsaw...
Curated OER
Navajo Code Talkers
Students research information about Navajo Code Talkers on the internet to explain their significance in World War II. Students access dictionary of words used in the secret code. Students create messages, using the Navajo words...
Curated OER
Code Talkers
Students investigate the Navajo code talkers contributions to World War II. They read and discuss a fact sheet, and create and decode secret messages using a Navajo code talkers' dictionary.
Curated OER
Navajo Code Talkers
Pupils investigate the Navajo Code Talkers and their role in World War II. They complete a Webquest, explore various websites, encode a short message, analyze maps, answer discussion questions, and read newspaper articles about secure...
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Memorandum Regarding Enlistment of Navajo Indians
A fascinating description of the background behind the recruitment of Navajo speakers as code talkers in World War II. Included is the document from General Clayton Vogel who recommended the development of the use of code talkers, and...
PBS
Pbs: The War: Native Americans
At the online companion site of the PBS documentary series "THE WAR," read a brief biography of the last Crow war chief, hear his words, and see photographs of other Native Americans in World War II.
Other
Army: Native Americans in the u.s. Army: Code Talkers
During World War I and World War II, Native Americans from various tribes worked to keep American military communications secret through the use of tribal languages as code. Learn how these individuals worked to create codes that the...
Other
National Center for the Preservation of Democracy: Fighting for Democracy
"We, the people" did not always include all citizens of the United States. Meet seven people from across the United States during World War II, all with different ethnic backgrounds, and discover the struggles they had in the land of the...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of the American Indian: Native Words: Code Talking
Learn how members of many Native American tribes became a vital part of America's efforts during World War I and World War II, divising codes that were never broken by the enemy. Includes examples of encoded words.
Sam Houston State University
Shsu: Native Americans in World War Ii
Information about the roles of Native Americans in World War II and their service in the armed forces and defense industries.
US Senate
U.s. Senate: Jeff Bingaman: Explore New Mexico: Navajo Code Talkers
The United States military adopted the Navajo language to aid in their top secret communications amongst each other during World War II. In 2001, the first twenty-nine Navajo Code Talkers were awarded Gold Medals of Honor by President...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Code Talker
This encyclopedia entry from Wikipedia explores the role of Native American code talkers during World War II. Content focuses on how the code was developed, as well as why the code remained unbroken throughout the duration of the war.
Other
Uss Hornet Museum: Battle of Midway
Read some background of the war in the Pacific and details of the Battle of Midway that gravely damaged Japan's ability to strike back at U.S. naval targets.
Other
Le Code Navajo
In French, read about the Navajo specialists who used their language to help defeat the Japanese in WWII. These Native Americans saved 1000s of lives with their spy code skills.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Diversity of Native American Groups
Look at the diversity in language, housing, government, and language among the Native American tribes that existed before the Europeans made contact. There is a brief discussion of the Navajo language and the use of Navajo code talkers...
Other
Lapahie.com: The Navajo Code Talkers
This site, a tribute to the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II, offers extensive information about the history of Navajo Code Talkers, the code itself, and medals and awards received for duty. Other content includes a photo gallery,...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Code Talker Discussion Guide
This resource is a discussion guide for Joseph Bruchac's book, Code Talker: A Novel about the Navajo Marines of World War II.
Curated OER
Image of the Navajo Code Talkers Panel
Webcasts from the Library of Congress about women in military medicine, the Navajo Code Talker, Tuskegee Airmen, and others. Requires RealPlayer.