Definition:

Service is doing acts of kindness or performing duties that contribute to the well-being of others.

Summary:
A Navajo grandfather tells a story to his grandson John about “the unbreakable code that once saved your country [the U.S.A].” The “unbreakable code” was the Navajo language that was used to transmit secret messages within American military forces defending the Pacific against the Japanese. John’s grandfather was part of a dangerous task force that handled these secret radio transmissions. The Japanese were unfamiliar with the Navajo language, so they couldn’t accurately predict American military actions.The service provided by the Navajo code talkers gave the Americans a big advantage over the enemy. After hearing his grandfather’s account, John is filled with pride for his Navajo language that helped America win the war. 

Lesson Objectives: 

1. Students will demonstrate more respect for and interest in the contributions of native people in the U.S.A., especially the Navajos. If a student is from another country, teachers can guide them to research the original inhabitants of that country. 
2. Teachers can guide students to develop more respect and gratitude for the men and women who serve in the military. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. Why was John hiding from his family in the beginning of the story? 
2. Who says, “you have an unbreakable code”? To what was he referring? 
3. The government boarding schools that separated Native Americans from their families, culture, and language were eventually stopped because they discriminated against these families. What was John’s grandfather’s life like when he was sent to one of those schools when he was five? 
4. John’s grandfather enlisted in the military when he heard that Navajos were needed for a top secret mission. What was that mission? 
5. “A Navajo learns to survive,” says the grandfather when he told John about boot camp and how the Navajos had superior survival skills. Explain what he meant by that. 
6. The top secret team created a code using Navajo words.    Why couldn’t the Japanese break the code? 
7. Why was this secret mission dangerous? 
8. At the government school the Navajo language was not allowed to be spoken. But during the war, it became an important “weapon” - what do you think about that? 
9. Do you know much about your grandparents and ancestors? If not, ask someone who does. 
10. If you know someone who’s been in the military service, thank them and ask them to tell you why they enlisted.