Island of the Blue Dolphins
Table of Contents
Novel Study Title Page for Students................................................................................................... 3
Before Reading............................................................................................................................................ 4
Who is Scott O’Dell?................................................................................................................................. 5
My Character Chart................................................................................................................................... 6
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 1 – 4.................................................................................................. 8
Vocabulary Study Chapters 1 – 4......................................................................................................... 9
Understanding the Story Chapters 1 – 4.......................................................................................... 10
Chapter Summary Chapters 1 – 4....................................................................................................... 11
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 5 – 8.................................................................................................. 12
Vocabulary Study Chapters 5 – 8......................................................................................................... 13
Understanding the Story Chapters 5 – 8.......................................................................................... 14
Chapter Summary Chapters 5 – 8....................................................................................................... 15
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 9 – 12............................................................................................... 16
Vocabulary Study Chapters 9 – 12...................................................................................................... 17
Understanding the Story Chapters 9 – 12........................................................................................ 18
Chapter Summary Chapters 9 – 12..................................................................................................... 19
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 13 – 16............................................................................................. 20
Vocabulary Study Chapters 13 – 16.................................................................................................... 21
Understanding the Story Chapters 13 – 16..................................................................................... 22
Chapter Summary Chapters 13 – 16.................................................................................................. 23
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 17 – 20............................................................................................. 24
Vocabulary Study Chapters 17 – 20.................................................................................................... 25
Understanding the Story Chapters 17 – 20..................................................................................... 26
Chapter Summary Chapters 17 – 20.................................................................................................. 27
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 21 – 24............................................................................................. 28
Vocabulary Study Chapters 21 – 24.................................................................................................... 29
Understanding the Story Chapters 21 – 24..................................................................................... 30
Chapter Summary Chapters 21 – 24.................................................................................................. 31
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 25 – 29............................................................................................. 32
Vocabulary Study Chapters 25 – 29.................................................................................................... 33
Understanding the Story Chapters 25 – 29..................................................................................... 34
Chapter Summary Chapters 25 – 29.................................................................................................. 35
Time for a Test!............................................................................................................................................ 36
Reading Log................................................................................................................................................. 38
Answer Key................................................................................................................................................... 39
Common Core State Standards............................................................................................................ 55
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Name:____________________________________________
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Before Reading
Title of Book:
Author of Book:
Have you read anything by this author before? If so, what was it?
Look at the front cover. What hints do you think it gives about the story?
Read the back cover. What do you learn about the story from the back cover?
Based on the front and back covers, do you want to read this book? Why or why not?
Island of the Blue Dolphins
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Name:____________________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________
Dictionary Detective!
Chapters 1 - 4
Using a dictionary, find the definitions for the words below.
parley
Definition:
leagues
Definition:
profit
Definition:
sparingly
Definition:
lapping
Definition:
pelts
Definition:
Island of the Blue Dolphins
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Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Vocabulary Study
Chapters 1 - 4
Match Up
Match the words in the left column to their definitions in the right column.
lapping •
• animal skins or furs
sparingly •
• units of distance that measure sea or land
pelts •
• washing against something in small waves
leagues •
• money or value that is gained
parley •
• in moderation; without waste
profit •
• a conference between enemies
to discuss a truce
Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence by filling in the blanks with the provided vocabulary.
sparingly
lapping
parley
pelts
profit
leagues
1. The island was approximately four _________________________ from the mainland.
2. The family used their small amount of lamp oil _________________________, so that it would not
run out before they were able to buy more.
3. Explorers often bought animal _________________________, which they could use to keep warm
during the harsh winter.
4. The pirate captain requested a _________________________ with the captain of the enemy ship.
5. The small waves were _________________________ against the rocks of the shore as the tide
came in for the evening.
6. Abby hoped to make a _________________________ of at least fifty dollars by selling her
handmade jewelry at the bazaar.
A Little
Extra!
A metaphor is a comparison of two items that does not use the word “like”
or “as”. In Chapter 1, Ramo uses a metaphor to describe the sea. He says,
“The sea is smooth. It is a flat stone without any scratches.” Write your own
metaphor to describe the sea.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Island of the Blue Dolphins
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Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story
Chapters 1 - 4
Multiple Choice
1. In Chapter 1, the Aleuts
come to the island because:
2. Karana’s common name is
Won-a-pa-lei, which means:
(a) They want to make peace.
(a) The Girl with the Long Black Hair.
(b) They want to hunt sea otter.
(b) The Girl with the Short Brown Hair.
(c) They want to hunt dolphins.
(c) The Girl with the Curly Hair.
(d) They want to settle there.
(d) The Girl with the Big Black Eyes.
Short Answer
3. According to the people of the island, what did Chief Chowig do that caused him bad luck?
Long Answer
4. Describe the disagreement between Karana’s father (Chief Chowig) and the Aleut leader Captain
Orlov. What happens as a result of the disagreement?
A Little
Extra!
In Chapter 2, the people of the island refuse to share their fish with the
Aleuts. Why is this? Do you believe that the island people did the right
thing by not sharing? Why or why not?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Island of the Blue Dolphins
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:__________________________________________
Chapter Summary
Chapters 1 - 4
1. If you were to give a title to this section of the book, what would it be?
2. What happens in these chapters?
3. What is your favorite part of this section of the book?
4. What new words did you learn
in these chapters?
Island of the Blue Dolphins
5. Draw a picture of something you think
represents these chapters.
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Common Core State Standards
This novel study is aligned to the Common Core State Standards (U.S.)
Grade 4
RL4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing
inferences from the text.
RL4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
RL4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the
text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions).
RL4.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to
significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
L4.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade
4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L4.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Grade 5
RL5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing
inferences from the text.
RL5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a
story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
RL5.3 Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
RL5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language
such as metaphors and similes.
L5.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade
5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L5.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
RL.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a
summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
RL.6.3 Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the
characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
RL.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and
connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone
RL.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and
contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.
L.6.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade
6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.6.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.6.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases;
gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
Novel Study
Island of the Blue Dolphins
by Scott O’Dell
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