This fourth grade unit is designed to be used as a language arts and social studies supplement using The Island of the Blue Dolphins as a focus piece for the study of survival. The full unit is taught over a period of 5 weeks. During this unit many of Nebraska's Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, and Social Studies Standards will be covered.

INTRODUCTION

We are preparing to read a book by Scott O'Dell called Island of the Blue Dolphins. We will do a complete study of this adventurous tale.

Island of the Blue Dolphins is Scott O'Dells tale of Karana, an Indian girl who lived alone on an island off the coast of California for 18 years. It is a fictionalized story based on events that took place in the 1800's. Seal hunters came to the island where Karana and her Indian tribe lived. In an effort to escape from the seal hunters, the Indians of Ghalas-at boarded a ship to leave the Isand of the Blue Dolphin. When Karana realized that her younger brother was not on board, she went back to the island in search of him. Years passed and Karana waited for the ship to return. In order to survive, Karana built shelter, fashioned weapons, made clothing, gathered food, and conquered wild dogs. Karana's courage and resourcefulness make for a remarkable story.

As we begin reading about Karana, we need to learn more about the time and place where she lived. We will do this by learning about the island, the marine life that surrounded it, and the people who lived on the Island of San Nicolas at this time. Below are three different areas you will research to help you understand what life was like for Karana and her people. 

Internet Activities

WEB ACTIVITY:
Click on the links below to read articles about Karana, better known as "The Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island".
Karana
Lone Woman


WEBQUEST:
http://www.esc2.net/TIELevel2/projects/island/ 

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