Island of the Blue Dolphins Reading Skills Sequencing

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

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!

Sequence • Sequence these events from the lives of William and Ellen Craft. – They lived in England. – William and Ellen left their cottage on December 21 st 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.

Sequence • Here is the correct sequence of William and Ellen Craft lives. – First, William and Ellen left their cottage on December 21 st 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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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?

• 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.