Paired Texts > Army Code Talkers

by The United States Government Unknown

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

The Medicine Bag
The Medicine Bag
Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve

In Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve's short story "The Medicine Bag," Martin's grandpa visits him and passes down a medicine bag to him, an important object in their family.  

Pair “The Medicine Bag” with “Army Code Talkers” to provide students with a short story about a boy who is visited by his Sioux grandpa. Ask students to discuss what each text shows about Native American traditions and languages. What have they done and continue to do to preserve these traditions? In what ways do the two texts emphasize the importance of preserving Native American culture?

6th Grade Short Story 830L
Cracking Code Purple
Cracking Code Purple
Anna Ouchchy

In the informational text "Cracking Code Purple," Anna Ouhchy discusses the discovery of cryptanalyst Genevieve Grotjan during World War II.

Pair “Cracking Code Purple” with “Army Code Talkers” to provide students with additional information about the use of codes in war. Ask students to discuss why being able to crack enemy codes and have secure means of communication were important to the United States during various wars. How does the code discussed in “Cracking Code Purple” compare to the codes discussed in “Army Code Talkers”?

7th Grade Informational Text 870L
Amazing Auntie Anne
Amazing Auntie Anne
Cynthia Leitich Smith

In "Amazing Auntie Anne," a young Native American speaker is excited to meet their legendary family member.

Pair “Army Code Talkers” with “Amazing Auntie Anne” and have students discuss how the information in the nonfiction text adds to their understanding of Auntie Anne’s experience. What role did Native American people play in World War II according to “Army Code Talkers”? How does this information help you understand the legends surrounding both Auntie Anne’s experience at boarding school and as a spy in “Amazing Auntie Anne”?

5th Grade Poem
Between the Lines
Between the Lines
Cynthia Leitich Smith

In "Between the Lines," Native American teenagers Mel and Ray deal with awkwardness and misunderstandings at a community event.

Pair “Army Code Talkers” with “Between the Lines” and ask students to explain the role that Native Americans’ languages have played in US military success throughout parts of history. Why do you think that so many Native American people have continued to volunteer for service in the US armed forces, despite a painful history of colonization by the United States? In the story, a Native filmmaker is making a documentary about Native veterans. Do you think it is important to have the story of Native veterans told by a Native person specifically? Why, or why not?

7th Grade Short Story 790L