School doesn’t begin here for another week or two, or maybe longer. And, I spent my afternoon compiling resources about National Code Talker Day for readers. In the process, I found interesting education pages on the National Archives site.
https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/code-talkers
As part of my research, in the next few days I plan to try preparing amaranth, an “ancient grain.” I’ve wanted to try it ever since I read about the plant while writing a novel about the Navajo code talkers. I learned the plant’s common name is “pigweed.” It had several uses 80 years ago in that culture, only a couple of which sound very tasty today. You can read more about amaranth here. 
Along the same lines, yesterday morning I talked with my son for a few minutes before breakfast. He was making a smoothie with dragon fruit, which prompted fond memories of the year we tried a few new foods at the grocery store. This page from one of my classroom resource books encourages children to try a new grain.
Perhaps this weekend you’ll want to recognize National Code Talkers Day, remembering how people who speak native languages helped our country in times of war. Then celebrate by trying a new food!
Photo credit: Wholegrainscouncil.org
