The Sign of the Beaver: Reading Guide
Section 1: Chapters 1-6
1. Keep track of your thinking while you are reading with your double-entry journal.
2. Describe the preconceived ideas the white settlers and the Native Americans
have of one another. How do you believe they developed these ideas? What
type of conflicts do you see already? (Note these on your “conflict tracker”
sheet.)
3. Compare and contrast the Native Americans and the white settlers: How do they
treat each other? What tools do they use for survival? Which do you think is
“smarter”?
Section 2: Chapters 7-13
1. Keep track of your thinking while you are reading with your double-entry journal.
2. In the opening of Chapter 7, Matt refers to Attean as a “savage” and a
“heathen”. Look these words up in the dictionary, then explain whether or not
you think these are appropriate words to describe Attean.
3. Reread the last paragraph of chapter 9. Explain the type of conflict Matt faces.
Where do you think his thinking regarding the right place of the wild man came
from? Find another conflict in this section and describe it.
4. Complete an open-mind portrait or other similar characterization project for both
Matt and Attean.
5. What is the significance of the book Robinson Crusoe? How does it serve as a
parallel to what is going on with Matt and Attean?
6. Note any conflicts you have found on your “conflict tracker” sheet.
Section 3: Chapters 14-20
1. Keep track of your thinking while you are reading with your double-entry journal.
2. Explain how the events with the bear and Attean’s dog affected Matt’s
relationship with Attean and the other Native Americans.
3. Reread from the bottom of page 87 to page 89. Summarize the arguments on
both sides between the Native Americans and the white settlers. Which side do
you think is more justified?
4. Describe how Matt has changed since the beginning of the book.
5. Note any conflicts you have found on your “conflict tracker” sheet.
Section 4: Chapters 20-25
1. Keep track of your thinking while you are reading with your double-entry journal.
2. Describe how Matt finally earned the respect he tried so hard to earn from
Attean.
3. Explain why Attean and his tribe are leaving and not returning. Do you think they
are making the right decision or should they have tried to stay?
4. Reread page 117 and also the middle of page 135. Who do you think should
have the right to live on that land – the Native Americans who have been there
for so long, or the settlers who are trying to build a new life for themselves?
Complete a graphic organizer to show both sides, then choose and explain the
one you believe in.
5. Note any conflicts you have found on your “conflict tracker” sheet.
The Sign of the Beaver: Conflict Tracker
The Sign of the Beaver is filled with a variety of conflicts.
As you read, note any conflicts you notice. Identify the
type of conflict as we discussed in class.
Description of Conflict (page or chapter)
Character vs. Character
Character vs. Nature
Character vs. Society
Character vs. Self
CVC
CVN
CVSoc
CVSelf
Type of
Conflict
The Sign of the Beaver: End of Book Activities
The Sign of the Beaver: Attean explained that the sign of the beaver carved on the tree
reserved the surrounding area as hunting grounds for the family of the beaver. Other
Indians respected the sign and its implications. Then, Attean proved his integrity as a
member of the beaver family by refusing to free a fox trapped on land marked by the
sign of the turtle.
1. Explain how the Indians’ system of marking and respecting territory worked well for
the way they lived. Why wasn’t land ownership by individuals a logical option?
2. Cite facts from the story to indicate how the presence of white settlers and trappers
was tearing apart the Indians’ system of co-existence and respect for each other.
3. Why wasn’t the Indian method of sharing the land workable for Matt’s family and the
other settlers who were moving into the area?
4. Explain why The Sign of the Beaver is an excellent title for this book. How does it
summarize the conflict that boiled between Indians and white settlers?
5. When this story takes place, how does it seem that the conflict is being or will be
resolved?
6. Suggest one other possible, appropriate title for this book. Explain your thinking.
Matt and Attean: When Matt and Attean first met, Attean detested the white boy. Matt
was not pleased that he had to deal with such a sullen, belligerent pupil.
1. Explain why Attean didn’t like Matt even before he met him. How does knowing his
past experiences shed light on his reaction to his grandfather’s treaty with the white
boy?
2. Attean began a relationship with Matt out of respect and obedience to his
grandfather’s wishes. Why was Matt motivated to take on the daunting task asked of
him?
3. Explain how, at the end of the story, Matt had become more like Attean while Attean
had adopted very little, if any, of Matt’s ways. How was this situation ironic? Was this
the original intent when Saknis made his treaty with Matt?
Robinson Crusoe: It was a common interest in the story of Robinson Crusoe that formed
the first chain in the friendship and mutual respect that grew between Matt and Attean.
1. Do you think one boy benefited more than the other from the reading of Robinson
Crusoe? Explain your answer.
2. Do you have a favorite book from your early childhood? Why do you think this
particular story has remained a vivid part of your memories? Did it lead you to look at
the world a little differently, or was it simply entertaining and fun?
The Sign of the Beaver: Vocabulary Words
Find the words below in your book and try to figure out their meanings using context
clues. Then, check to see if you were correct by verifying the definition in the
dictionary. Try to find four more new or interesting words and add them to the blank
spots on the back of this page.
Vocabulary Word
(pg #)
Blunderbuss (p. 4)
Ruefully (p. 5)
Quavering (p. 10)
Begrudging (p. 17)
Incomprehensible
(p. 31)
Detested (p. 32)
Nonchalantly
(p. 41)
Contemptuous
(p. 41)
Disposition (p. 53)
Your Predicted Meaning
Actual Dictionary Definition
Chagrined (p. 60)
Indignant (p. 64)
Contortions (p. 81)
Ramshackle (p. 85)
Reproach (p. 110)
Teeming (p. 121)
Prowess (p. 122)
Related Texts

Same Author
The Witch of Blackbird Pond (also 
historical fiction)



Theme: Survival
My Side of the Mountain by Jean
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Island of the Blue Dolphins by
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Julie of the Wolves by Jean
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Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Historical Fiction: Native Americans
 Indian Captive: The Story of
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 Sing Down the Moon by Scott
O’Dell
 Code-Talker: A Novel About the
Navajo Marines of WWII by
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