The Sign of the Beaver

This is the part of the webquest that you "do".  Enjoy working through the various activities and see if you can discover new ways of explaining your work.

Task 1:     Before you read...

Discover more about Elizabeth George Speare (the author of the book) and about the book by vising the websites below. 

http://www.biblio.com/author_biographies/2111937/Elizabeth_George_Speare.html

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/spring95/Mosley.html

 Task 2:   While you read Chapters 1-4...

After reading Chapters 1-4 write a post card for Matt to his mom telling about how thigns are going in the "new land".  You must include at least one event that has happened so far in the book, and include details about why it was an important event. 

Task 3:  While you read Chapters 5-6...

Picture the Action.  Fill out the "action" page in the attachment below detailing The Attack, The Rescue, The Meeting, and The Treaty.

Be sure to use visual details.  What was going on in the background?  Who else was there? 

Task 4:  Our Ways are Different

Use the Venn Diagram attached below to compare and contrast the ways in which the "white man's" way of life was different and similar to that of the Native American's ways of doing things.  Use details from the story to support your answers.

 http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/venn.pdf

Task 5:  Make a Story Map

What happened in the story?  What adventures did Matt encounter?  Did he make any friends?  Test your knowledge of the literary elements as you fill out the story map below.  Make sure to include details from the story.

http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/storymap2_eng.pdf

Task 6:  (Post Assignment)  Native American Legends

Legends are an important part to the Native Americans culture.  They use their legends to pass stories, reasoning and history down through the generations orally.  In Arts and Humanities next year, you will be ask more questions about Native American and West African legends...so pay EXTRA attention!!!  Read through some of the legends on the site below in order to get ideas to write about yourself.  When you begin the writing process, remember to "map" out your ideas (using the graphic organier below). 

*  HINT:  Most legends explained why something occured in nature!!

Graphic Organizer

http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/sandwich.pdf

Legends

http://www.planetozkids.com/oban/legends.htm

Task 7:  Go on a 13 Colonies Scavanger Hunt

Many important events were taking place in the early history of our great nation.  Working with a partner, use the attached scavenger hunt form and the website below to answer questions about that early time period.  Both partners need to fill out the scavanger hunt form.

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/colonialtimes.htm