Family Times
Daily Questions
Prior Knowledge
Theme and Setting
Vocabulary
Dictionary/Glossary
Predictions
Guided Comprehension
Character and Plot
Imagery
Leveled Readers
Seven Survival Questions
Additional Resources
Study Skills
Genre: Historical Fiction
Vocabulary Strategy: Dictionary/Glossary
Comprehension Skill: Theme and Setting
Comprehension Strategy: Visualize
Question of the Week:
How do people survive in the wilderness?
Daily Questions:
What challenges does the setting present for Karana?
How does Karana’s personality help her survive on the isolated
island?
What are the most important thins people can do to survive in
the wilderness?
Activate Prior Knowledge
Western U.S.
Mountainous
Pacific Coast
Steep Cliffs
California
Theme and Setting
• The theme is the underlying meaning of a story.
• The theme is often not stated. You can figure out a theme
when you have finished reading from events and other evidence
in the story.
• The setting is where and when the story takes place. Writers
use details, such as sights and sounds, to describe it.
Tastes
Sounds
Setting
feelings
sights
smells
Visualize
Active readers create pictures of the story in
their minds as they read. The sights, smells,
sounds, tastes, and feelings described by the
author all help you visualize the setting, the
characters, and the events.
Write Activity (Student book pages 68-69)
1. Read “Alone.” Make a graphic organizer like the one above
about the story’s setting.
2. Make pictures and write captions for chores Jesse does in the
story. Use your graphic organizer to help you.
Vocabulary List
Word
Synonym
Antonym
Sentence
1. Headland
Highland
Lowland
I could see the ocean
from the edge of the
headland.
2. gnawed
3. kelp
4. lair
5. ravine
6. shellfish
7. sinew
Gnawed
Bitten at or worn away
Headland
A narrow ridge of high land jutting out into
the water
Kelp
Any of various large, tough, brown
seaweeds
Lair
Den or resting place of a wild animal
Ravine
A long, deep, narrow, valley eroded by running
water
Shellfish
A water animal with a shell
Sinew
tendon
More Words to Know
Brackish: slightly salty
Cove: A small, sheltered bay; inlet on a shore
Deafening: Very loud; amazingly noisy
Practice Lesson Vocabulary
Do wild dogs live a lair?
Do foxes gnaw at stones?
Could a wild dog fall into a ravine?
Is sinew strong?
Are shellfish a part of Karana’s diet?
Is the headland miles from the water?
Vocabulary Strategy: (Pg. 70)
Dictionary/Glossary
Sometimes when you read, you come across a word you do not know. You
can use a glossary or dictionary to find out the meaning of the word. A glossary
is a list of important words in a book and their meanings. A dictionary
lists all words, in alphabetical order, and gives their meanings, pronunciations,
and other helpful information.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Check the back of your book for a glossary. If there is no
glossary, look up the word in a dictionary.
Find the entry for the word. Dictionary entries are in
alphabetical order.
Read the pronunciation to yourself. Saying the word may help
you recognize it.
Read all the meanings given for the word.
Choose the one that makes sense in your sentence.
As you read “Island Survival,” use the glossary or a dictionary to find
out the meanings of the vocabulary words.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Is realistic fiction that takes place in the past
and is often full of adventure. As you read,
keep asking yourself what might happen next.
Examples:
How will Karana meet the
physical challenges that face
her?
Preview and Predict
Preview the story title and illustrations and
discuss the topics or ideas you think it will
cover. Use selection vocabulary words as
you talk about what you expect to learn.
Guided Comprehension Questions:
Reread pg. 75. Describe the setting of this historical fiction story.
How was the spring Karana visited near the dog’s lair different from the spring
near the headland?
Based on pgs. 74-75, what do you think the big idea, or theme, for the story will
be?
How would you describe the way Karana approached the job of finding a place to
build her hut? Tell about a time you wish you had acted in a similar way.
What do the images and sensory words on pg. 78, paragraph 2, suggest about
what kind of day it was for Karana?
Have students use a dictionary to determine the meaning of omen on pg. 78,
paragraph 2.
What does the strong fence around Karana’s house show about her situation?
Read paragraph 6 on pg. 81 and visualize Karana’s shelter. Describe what you see.
What are two things that Karana has done so far to survive in this setting?
How were Karana’s cooking utensils made?
What has Karana accomplished by the end of the selection?
Compare and Contrast another selection you’ve read where the main character had to
overcome many difficult obstacles. Describe similarities and differences.
Character and Plot (TM 77)
• A character can be a person or animal. A character
takes part in the action and events in a story.
• A plot is a pattern of events organized around some
type of problem or conflict.
Read pg. 75, paragraph 4. What does the description of
the leader say about what kind of dog he is?
Imagery
Imagery is the use of words to help readers experience the way things look,
sound, smell, taste, or feel.
• An Image is any detail that stimulates any of your five senses or your
imagination.
• Writers use imagery to make characters and setting seem real.
Notice how Scott O’dell uses imagery on pg. 77, paragraph 4. Notice both the
visual and auditory imagery provided in the description of the bulls and cows.
Activity:
Discuss with partner how Scott O’Dell uses imagery on pg. 82, paragraph
2. Write a descriptive paragraph about how two of the five senses are
stimulated by the writer’s words.
SUMMARY
This story is about a child named Toby
who visits the Channel Islands off the
California coast with his family. Toby
learns about the unique plants and
animals on each island and the
importance of respecting nature.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
PAGE 5 How many islands make up the
Channel Islands?
PAGE 11 What is the setting?
PAGE 11 What words or phrases on this page
help you visualize the setting?
PAGE 20 Why is Alcatraz famous?
SUMMARY
This is a fictional story about a Native American
boy named Stuk who lives in the village of
Shisholop, on the California coast. Stuk describes
how his people live, eat, and trade. He also talks
about the stories the elders tell to explain the
stars and the weather.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
PAGE 3 What is the setting?
PAGE 3 What words or phrases on this page
help you visualize the setting?
PAGE 8 What is the theme here?
PAGE 13 What is the author’s purpose here?
PAGE 19 How does the story say the stars
were made?
SUMMARY
This story is about a Native American boy and his
grandfather from the Chumash tribe. They take a
journey to gather healing plants because they are
worried that the new Spanish people settling in the
area will bring sickness to the Native American
tribes.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
PAGE 4 What is the setting?
PAGE 15 What words or phrases on this page
help you visualize the setting?
PAGE 18 What conclusion can you draw about
Red Hawk’s future responsibilities?
PAGE 20 What are the healing benefits of
toloache?
PAGE 24 What is the theme?
Genre: Interview
• In an interview the interviewer asks
questions. The other person, the subject,
answers
• Interviews usually appear in magazines or
newspapers.
Visualize
•In your mind, see and hear the conversation.
•Can you see yourself lost but remaining calm?
Reading Across Texts
• If Karana listed survival tips for life on her island, what might they
be?
• Make a list of Karana’s top five tips.
Additional Resources
Island of the Blue Dolphins web page