Sign of the Beaver Unit Study

Sign of the Beaver Unit Study provides discussion questions, activities, map, and vocabulary lists for Elizabeth Speare's story of culture and friendship for sixth to ninth grade students.

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Chapter One Activities

Setting

In the fourth paragraph the main setting of the story is revealed. What is it?

• Year: 1769
• Location: New settlement in Maine at mouth of the Penobscot River

Sign of the Beaver Map

Map for Sign of the Beaver Quincy, Massachusettes is where Matt’s family moved from. It is south of Boston (the capital indicated by a star.)

Penobscot River

This story takes place on the Penobscot River whose four branches are indicated on the map. The story says their cabin was at the mouth of the river, but doesn’t say which mouth. Possibly it is the branch that is furthest east. Why? The others have lakes near their mouth which is not mentioned in this story.

Elements of Literature

• Dialect: Activities assess the spoken dialect of the father and Ben. Students assess what patterns of dialect are unique to their region.
• Mood vs Tone

  Sign of the Beaver Discussion Questions

  Chapter One
  
  • What emotions would you have if you were in Matt’s situation?
  • What skills would you need to survive alone in the wilderness?
  • After looking at pictures of Penobscot River, discuss if you would like to live there when it was unsettled?
  • In your opinion, should the father have taken the rifle or the blunderbuss?

  Activities

  Make oiled paper Rub oil based polyurethane on paper to make a translucent oiled paper. How well can you see through it?
  
  
  Compare a rifle and a blunderbuss.

  Story Starter Technique

  What did you know after reading the first paragraph? Only that Matt was alone and lonely. It wasn’t until the fourth paragraph the reason is revealed in a flashback. His family had planned this move and his father had gone back to get the rest of the family after building the cabin with Matt. Then in the next few pages you learn a little more about him and his surroundings. The author slowly unfolds the situation but starts with the mood.
  
  Were you aware of how the narrative slowly pulled you?
  
  
  

  Sign of the Beaver Questions

  Each chapter lists pointer questions which highlight important parts of the action plot or literary elements. Discussion and review questions are also provided.
  
  
  

  Literary Analysis

  The Sign of the Beaver Unit Study is strong in literary analysis. In the chapter-by-chapter activies, the literary techniques are discussed. After the last chapter, a review allows the students to identify these elements:
  • External Dilemma (Matt's father left him and he must survive alone in the wilderness.)
  • Internal Dilemma (Matt longs for respect and acceptance.)
  • Character Development (Matt gains confidence and grows in his respect for others.)
  • Three themes (Survival, Loyalty, Cross cultural friendship)
  • Reoccuring Motiff (Robinson Crusoe, Attean's teaching)
  • Symbols (Beaver, Turtle, watch)
  • Purpose of the author (Evaluate assumptions about other cultures)
  • Moral of the Story (Recognize contributions of people from other cultures, treat others with respect.)
  
  
  
  

  Literary Elements

  In addition to the literary themes, symbols, motives and other major elements listed above, readers also notice how other common literary elements help the narrative to unfold.
  • Dialect
  • Mood and Tone
  • Personalification
  • Inference
  • Anthropomorphism
  • Foreshadow and flashback
  • Setting, Dilemma
  • Rising action, climax, falling action
  • Denouement
  • Character Development
  • Literary Genre

  Hands-On Activities

  Extra activities add interest and enthusiasm. Students can choose activities that fit their areas of interest. Suggested activities which build on events in the story include:
  • Oiled Paper Window
  • Compare rifle and blunderbuss
  • Pictures and videos of Penobscot River
  • Nature sounds (Specifically the great horned own and loon mentioned in the chapter, as well as other forest creatures.)
  • Honey bee vs bumble bee
  • Basket weaving
  Other activities may include any of the activites done by Matt. These include planting, use of corn husks, leather crafting (moccasins), snow shoes, learning different types of traps, fire starting, spear fishing, and more.
  
  
  

  Writing Projects

  Three suggested writing projects are presented in the unit study:
  • Story Starter Technique or (How Author's Grab Your Attention Before You Know What the Story Is About)
  • Dialect - Writing dialect to convey personality and culture
  • Emotions - The writer must show what the character is feeling.
  
  
  
  

  Literature and Culture

  This is a beautiful story of a cross-cultural friendship. In this unit study the students will:
  • Compare how Matt and Attean's culture effect their personalities and choices
  • Look at how culture is transmitted in literature
  • Evaluate how Matt's assessment of Robinson Crusoe is changed by his friendship with Attean
  • Read the critique of this book and consider cultural questions in writing and sharing literature.

  Sign of the Beaver Unit Study

  
  Student Guide AND Teacher's Answer Key Included
  $2.99 Download - 59 pages
  See below for contents of the unit study
   
  
  

  Sign of the Beaver Pages at a Glance

  All the pages forThe Sign of the Beaver are listed here.

  Maps
  Map of Penobscot River for The Sign of the Beaver
  Vocabulary
  Vocabulary Words & Defintions