The Island of the Blue Dolphins - Scott O'Dell
Vocabulary PowerPoint Presentations for Island of the Blue Dolphin
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In Unit 3, we will start reading Scott O'Dell's award winning novel Island of the Blue Dolphins, a 1960 classic based on the true story of Juana Maria. The story is about a young girl stranded for years on an island off the California coast in the 19th century.
Click here for a list of other novels written by Scott O'Dell.
Island of the Blue Dolphins - Focus Questions
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 1-3
1. Karana’s father does not seem to trust Captain Orlov. Explain why he distrusts the Russian with evidence from the text.
2. How does Karana feel about the hunting of the otters? Explain her feelings citing evidence from the text.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 4-6
1. The new chief, Kimki, decides to have the women help take over some of the tasks that the men of the tribe did before the battle on the beach. Describe some of those tasks using details from the text.
2. Karana says the tribe is fearful, but happy to leave the Island of the Blue Dolphins. Explain why they might be fearful and happy. Use the text to support your answers.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 7-10
1. What is it about Ramo’s character that told us early in the novel that he might cause problems in this story? Explain using Karana’s descriptions of him from the text.
2. What is the first important thing Karana decides to do to survive alone on the island? Why was this decision difficult for her? Explain using text evidence.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 11-13
1. After her failed attempt to leave the island, what important decisions does Karana make? Explain using details from chapter 11.
2. Karana uses the resources on the island to build and secure her new home. Describe some of these resources and explain how she used them. Use evidence from the text.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 14-16
1. Describe how Karana tries to kill the wild dogs. Why do you think, after she has injured him, Karana tries to help the dog that killed her brother? Support your response using evidence from the text.
2. What kind of animal is the devilfish? Use text evidence to support your thoughts.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 17-19
1. Why do you think the Scott O’Dell included the battle between Rontu and the wild dogs in the story? Why did Karana not try to help Rontu? Refer to the text to support your answer.
2. What things does Karana do to pass the time on the island? Use details from the text to describe.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 20-22
1. When the Aleuts return to the island, what does Karana do? Describe how she goes into hiding using details from the text.
2. Would you call Karana and Tutok friends? Give details from the text that support your thoughts.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 23-25
1. At the end of Chapter 24 Karana tells us that she decided never to kill another animal again. How does she come to this decision? Why is this decision important to her? Explain using text evidence.
2. Rontu was more than just a dog to Karana. Explain this statement using the details from the story and from the events surrounding his death.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 26-29
1. What clues does Scott O’Dell give readers to let them know Karana has survived both a tidal wave and an earthquake? Give details from the text.
2. Why do you think Karana did not reveal herself to the white men the first time they came? Why do you think she changed her mind in the end? Support your thoughts using evidence from the text.
Click here for a list of other novels written by Scott O'Dell.
Island of the Blue Dolphins - Focus Questions
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 1-3
1. Karana’s father does not seem to trust Captain Orlov. Explain why he distrusts the Russian with evidence from the text.
2. How does Karana feel about the hunting of the otters? Explain her feelings citing evidence from the text.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 4-6
1. The new chief, Kimki, decides to have the women help take over some of the tasks that the men of the tribe did before the battle on the beach. Describe some of those tasks using details from the text.
2. Karana says the tribe is fearful, but happy to leave the Island of the Blue Dolphins. Explain why they might be fearful and happy. Use the text to support your answers.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 7-10
1. What is it about Ramo’s character that told us early in the novel that he might cause problems in this story? Explain using Karana’s descriptions of him from the text.
2. What is the first important thing Karana decides to do to survive alone on the island? Why was this decision difficult for her? Explain using text evidence.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 11-13
1. After her failed attempt to leave the island, what important decisions does Karana make? Explain using details from chapter 11.
2. Karana uses the resources on the island to build and secure her new home. Describe some of these resources and explain how she used them. Use evidence from the text.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 14-16
1. Describe how Karana tries to kill the wild dogs. Why do you think, after she has injured him, Karana tries to help the dog that killed her brother? Support your response using evidence from the text.
2. What kind of animal is the devilfish? Use text evidence to support your thoughts.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 17-19
1. Why do you think the Scott O’Dell included the battle between Rontu and the wild dogs in the story? Why did Karana not try to help Rontu? Refer to the text to support your answer.
2. What things does Karana do to pass the time on the island? Use details from the text to describe.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 20-22
1. When the Aleuts return to the island, what does Karana do? Describe how she goes into hiding using details from the text.
2. Would you call Karana and Tutok friends? Give details from the text that support your thoughts.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 23-25
1. At the end of Chapter 24 Karana tells us that she decided never to kill another animal again. How does she come to this decision? Why is this decision important to her? Explain using text evidence.
2. Rontu was more than just a dog to Karana. Explain this statement using the details from the story and from the events surrounding his death.
Island of the Blue Dolphins: Chapters 26-29
1. What clues does Scott O’Dell give readers to let them know Karana has survived both a tidal wave and an earthquake? Give details from the text.
2. Why do you think Karana did not reveal herself to the white men the first time they came? Why do you think she changed her mind in the end? Support your thoughts using evidence from the text.