“Island of the Blue Dolphins”

1. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” Reading Skills Sequencing Drawing Conclusions

2. Sequencing Review • When authors write a story, they arrange the events in a certain order or sequence to keep the reader from getting confused. • Words such as: before, during, after, first, then, while, next, and finally all help to sequence an event. • Let’s practice!

3. Sequence • Sequence these events from the lives of William and Ellen Craft. • They lived in England. • William and Ellen left their cottage on December 21st and began their journey to freedom. • They safely arrived in Philadelphia and were free. • William and Ellen returned to Georgia and bought a large plantation where they devoted their lives to helping others.

4. Sequence • Here is the correct sequence of William and Ellen Craft lives. • First, William and Ellen left their cottage on December 21st and began their journey to freedom. • Then, they safely arrived in Philadelphia and were free. • Next, they lived in England. • Finally, William and Ellen returned to Georgia and bought a large plantation where they devoted their lives to helping others.

5. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” • Let’s begin by reading pages 318-319 (not the last paragraph), and then we’ll practice describing when events happen in the story. • When does Karana hope a ship will come to rescue her? • Karana __________________ during ________________________________. • Karana hopes a ship will come during the summer.

6. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” • Let’s begin by reading pages 318-319 (not the last paragraph), and then we’ll practice describing when events happen in the story. • When does Karana see whales in the ocean? • Karana __________________ while ________________________________. • Karana sees whales while she is looking for ships on the ocean.

7. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” • Let’s begin by reading pages 318-319 (not the last paragraph), and then we’ll practice describing when events happen in the story. • When do the storms come to the island? • The storms _____ during ______________. • The storms come during the winter.

8. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” • Let’s continue by reading pages 319 (the last paragraph) - 321, and then we’ll practice sequencing a series of events using the sequential words first, then, next, and finally. • What was the first thing Karana did to get her canoe into the water? • First, _______________________________. • First, she removed the large rocks in front of the canoe.

9. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” • Let’s continue by reading pages 319 (the last paragraph) - 321, and then we’ll practice sequencing a series of events using the sequential words first, then, next, and finally. • What did she do after that? • Then, _______________________________. • Then, she laid down strips of kelp in front of the canoe.

10. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” • Let’s continue by reading pages 319 (the last paragraph) - 321, and then we’ll practice sequencing a series of events using the sequential words first, then, next, and finally. • What did she do next? • Next, _______________________________. • Next, she pushed the canoe onto the strips of kelp.

11. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” • Let’s continue by reading pages 319 (the last paragraph) - 321, and then we’ll practice sequencing a series of events using the sequential words first, then, next, and finally. • What is the last thing that happened? • Finally, _______________________________. • Finally, the canoe slid into the water.

12. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” • Let’s continue by reading pages 322- 324, and then we’ll practice sequencing a series of events by telling in what part of the day something happens. • When did Karana notice that she could not see the island anymore? • Karana _____________ at ______________. • Karana noticed that she could not see the island at dusk.

13. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” • Let’s continue by reading pages 322- 324, and then we’ll practice sequencing a series of events by telling in what part of the day something happens. • When did Karana use the stars to know what direction she was traveling? • Karana _____________ at ______________. • Karana used the stars at night.

14. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” • Let’s continue by reading pages 322- 324, and then we’ll practice sequencing a series of events by telling in what part of the day something happens. • When did Karana see that her canoe was leaking again and might break? • Karana _____________ at ______________. • Karana saw that her canoe was leaking at dawn.

15. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” • Let’s finish by reading pages 325-327, and then we’ll identify when events happen in the story using the words before and after. • When does Karana decide she ha to go back to the island? • Karana _____________ after ______________. • Karana decides she has to go back to the island after the canoe leaks.

16. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” • Let’s finish by reading pages 325-327, and then we’ll identify when events happen in the story using the words before and after. • When does Karana feel the loneliest • Karana _____________ before _____________. • Karana feels the loneliest just before the dolphins swim beside her boat.

17. “Island of the Blue Dolphins” • Let’s finish by reading pages 325-327, and then we’ll identify when events happen in the story using the words before and after. • When do the dolphins leave Karana • The dolphins _____________ before ________. • The dolphins leave Karana shortly before dusk.

18. “Island of the Blue Dolphins”Comprehension Assessment • How did the dolphins help Karana survive? • Do you think Karana was happy to be back on the island? Why or why not? • If you were Karana, would you try to leave the island again in a canoe? Why or why not?

19. In this story we learned the following concepts: • Resourcefulness and courage can enable a person to deal with extreme danger. • Adaptability is important to surviving. • Enduring loneliness is as big a challenge as enduring the dangerous forces of nature.