PowerPoint by Julie Schuh to accompany Scott Foresman Reading Street

1. Island of the Blue Dolphin By: Scott O’Dell PowerPoint by Julie Schuh to accompany Scott Foresman Reading Street

2. How do people survive in the wilderness?

3. Vocabulary gnawed bitten at or worn away

4. headland a narrow ridge of high land jutting out into the ocean

5. kelp any of various large, tough, brown seaweeds

6. lair den or resting place of a wild animal

7. ravine a long, deep, narrow valley eroded by running water

8. shellfish a water animal with a shell

9. sinew tendon; used to attach muscle to the bone

10. Skill Lesson: Setting and Theme

11. Setting The setting is where and when the story takes place. Writers use details such as sights and sounds to help us visualize the setting.

12. sounds tastes SETTING feelings sights smells

13. Theme The theme is the underlying meaning of the story. Most of the time the theme is not stated. You can figure it out using events and other evidence from the story.

14. Some people think that the theme is simply one word. Actually, the theme is a sentence or a message. Find the message.

15. Let’s look at a short story together and see if we can determine the theme. What does the author want us to learn from this story?

16. John and Patrick had played on the same baseball team since second grade. Both boys were naturally athletic and enjoyed their team’s success. John really enjoyed game days. The crowd often chanted his name as he stepped up to the plate. He rarely failed to get on base, and more often than not, he managed a double or a triple. However, John did not like to practice. Whenever his dad asked him to throw a few, John would shrug and say, “Maybe later.” If the coach asked him to stick around for a couple of minutes to hit a few, John always had somewhere else he needed to be.

17. Patrick on the other hand lived to play ball, but not just play. Patrick wanted to improve. “You’re already the best hitter on the team,” his friend Eric would say. “Thanks, Eric,” Patrick would reply, “but we’re just one team, in one small town, in one state. I want to play for the big leagues one day.” So Patrick practiced. After dinner he would ask his dad to throw with him. On weekends when most of his friends rode bikes or played video games, Patrick was at the batting cage or running in the park.

18. Time passed and John and Patrick continued to play on the same teams. One day a college scout was spotted in the stands. Patrick was on his game as usual. He went three for four, two singles and a triple, had no errors, and turned a double play. Unfortunately, John’s game had been slipping. Although he got on base twice, he struck out twice.

19. After the game, the college scout approached Patrick. “Son,” he said, “That was a mighty fine game you just played. You know right where to place the ball each time. We’d love to have you come play for us. I’m talking about a full scholarship, son.” John stood nearby and overheard the entire conversation. Perhaps the scout would want to speak with him next. “I’ll be in touch,” shouted the scout as he waved goodbye to Patrick , walked to his car, and drove away.

20. Let’s think about what we read. • Two boys played baseball. • One boy practiced and one • didn’t. • The boy who practiced received • a scholarship to college. What is the message?

21. Turn and chat with your partner. Did you say? Practice makes perfect. Hard work pays off.

22. Let’s try one more. “Good morning, Mr. Pete,” chirped Jasmine as she boarded the school bus. Heading toward her usual seat, she noticed someone new. “Hi,” said Jasmine. “You’re new here, aren’t you? Mind if I sit down?” The new girl smiled shyly and made room for Jasmine on the seat. “What grade are you in?” asked Jasmine. “I’m in 4th,” replied Breanna. “The secretary said I would be in Ms. Howard’s class, but I don’t know where it is.”

23. “Ms. Howard! That’s great! I had her last year, and she’s the best. I’ll walk you to your room.” “Thanks,” said Breanna. “Maybe today won’t be so bad after all,” she thought. * * * * * Jasmine delivered Breanna to her classroom, gave Ms. Howard a hug, and headed for the 5th grade hall. Suddenly, she heard a crash and a moan behind her. She turned to find Bailey sprawled on the floor, with Mars and Neptune rolling down the stairs. “My project,” cried Bailey. “I worked on it all week end. It’s due today, and now it’s ruined.” “Hang on,” said Jasmine as she ran down the stairs to retrieve the “lost planets.”

24. Returning, she found Bailey slumped in the hall. “It’s ruined,” he cried. “We can fix it,” assured Jasmine as she unzipped her backpack and whipped out a bottle of Elmer’s glue. In no time at all, she had Venus and Mars back in orbit. “This is an A+ project for sure,” she said as she grabbed Bailey’s backpack and helped him to his classroom, and then headed to her own. That afternoon Jasmine found Breanna sitting with a new friend on the bus. How was your first day?” asked Jasmine. “It was great, “ replied a grinning Breanna. “Hey, Jasmine,” yelled Bailey from the back of the bus. “I got an A+, just like you said.

25. A plate of fresh-baked cookies was waiting as Jasmine walked through the door. “How was your day?” asked her mom. “I had the best day ever,” replied Jasmine. And the truth is, she did.

26. Let’s think about what we read. • Jasmine sits with a new girl on • the bus. • Jasmine walks the new girl to her • classroom. • Jasmine helps a friend repair his • project. What is the message?

27. What words come to mind when you think about Jasmine? kind helpful What does the author want us to learn about these topics?

28. Turn and chat with your partner. It’s better to give than to receive. Kindness brings joy to the giver.

29. It’s important to know that we may not all say the exact same thing, but our ideas should be very similar. We should be able to support our theme with evidence from the story.