If you’re looking for Island of the Blue Dolphins teaching ideas, Scott O’Dell’s Newbery‑winning novel is a great choice for teaching survival, courage, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. Students are fascinated by Karana’s strength and resourcefulness as she learns to live alone on an island for nearly two decades. This post includes anchor chart ideas, novel study samples, and printables to support your unit.
Reading Level
Lexile 1000L
Interest Level
Grades 5-7
Length
192 pages
Award
Newbery Medal
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⭐ About the Book
Island of the Blue Dolphins is inspired by the true story of the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island, who survived alone for 18 years off the coast of California. In the novel, Karana recounts her life beginning with the day an Aleut ship arrives at her island. After a tragic conflict between the Aleuts and her tribe, Karana’s people decide to leave the island. But when she realizes her younger brother has been left behind, Karana jumps from the rescue ship and returns to the island.
Karana must learn to fend for herself. She builds shelter, finds food, makes weapons, and protects herself from wild dogs and harsh weather. Over time, she forms unexpected bonds with the animals around her, including Rontu, the leader of the wild dog pack. Her loneliness gradually transforms into a deep respect for the creatures she once feared. Karana’s compassion grows so strong that she stops hunting otters, cormorants, and seals, choosing instead to live in harmony with the island’s wildlife.
⭐ Book Details
| Publication Date | 1960 |
| Reading Level | Lexile 1000L • Scholastic Guided Reading Level V |
| Interest Level | Grades 5–7 |
| Major Awards | 1961 Newbery Medal Winner |
| Length | 192 pages (approx. 34,800 words) |
| Estimated Reading Time | About 2 hours and 19 minutes (at 250 words per minute) |
| Audiobook Length | 3 hours, 55 minutes |
| Genre | Robinson Crusoe‑type adventure |
| Setting | San Nicolas Island, 75 miles off the coast of Southern California |
| Point of View | First person, narrated by Karana |
| Themes | Man and the Natural World • Violence • Survival • Friendship • Loneliness (Isolation) |
| Memorable Quote | “...animals and birds are like people, too, though they do not talk the same or do the same things. Without them the earth would be an unhappy place.” |
| First Line | “I remember the day the Aleut ship came to our island.” |
Island of the Blue Dolphins Activities
Book Unit Samples
This sample contains…
- Vocabulary Practice for Chapter 1
- Constructed Response Question – Characters
- Constructed Response Question – Point of View
Teaching Idea #1 ~ Character’s Actions Anchor Chart
Do your students need to pay closer attention to class discussions? This organizer and anchor chart pair are perfect to keep students on their toes. Have students fill out the information on their individual organizers during your class discussion of the anchor chart. Don’t forget; by using sticky notes the anchor chart is reusable the next time you teach the novel.
Ways to Use the Graphic Organizer
Option 1
Have students use the graphic organizer for notes. Notice the notes in the photo above are not in complete sentences. Glue the organizer to the left side of the notebook page. On the right side of the notebook, students use the notes to write the details in paragraph form.
Option 2
Students complete the organizer by writing complete sentences.
Teaching Idea #2 ~ Story Illustration
I love this illustration created by Kelley McMorris. Have students use it as a springboard to write a paragraph about the scene from the novel.
Teaching Idea #3 ~ Research and Writing Ideas
Cultural Understanding: Have students research the Native American tribe (Karana’s tribe) in the story and compare their culture and traditions to those of other indigenous groups.
Survival Skills: Have students analyze the survival skills Karana used on the island and compare them to modern-day survival skills.
Environmental Awareness: Have students research the wildlife and ecosystem of the island in the story and discuss the importance of preserving and protecting the environment.
Compare & Contrast: Have students compare and contrast Karana’s life on the island to their own lives and reflect on what they would do in a similar situation.
Creative Writing: Have students write a journal entry from Karana’s perspective during a specific event in the story.
Teaching Idea #4 ~ The Real Setting
This short video shows breathtaking views of Anacapa Island as narrators describe the reliability of the novel’s history.
Teaching Idea #5 – 1964 Movie
I couldn’t find the movie online as it is copyrighted. It runs for approximately 93 minutes and would be worth doing a Google search if you teach the novel. Good luck!
Teaching Idea #6 – Scholastic Book Files
This free Scholastic book provides 63 pages of ideas and information. For example, there is a full author description. Chapter-by-chapter discussion questions are provided. Plot and theme information are also included.
Teaching Idea #7 – Activities from RIF
Check out these nine activities from Reading is Fundamental. You’ll find leveled reading passages, crossword puzzles, word searches, and memory games in both easy and hard levels.
See the product that inspired this post.
Island of the Blue Dolphins Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
