5th Grade Walk Two Moons
Big Theme Questions
How, and to what extent, does our family shape who we are?
How can sharing similar experiences deepen a friendship?
What are some different ways that people might react to being separated from a loved one?
What things in life are lasting or permanent? What things change? Can something be both lasting and changeable?
Chapters 1–6
- What two stories are going to be told in Walk Two Moons? How does the author introduce these two stories? Why might the author want to put these stories together in one novel?
- What things frighten you? Do you consider yourself to be a brave person? Describe a situation in which you or someone you know did something brave. How does this situation compare with Sal’s handling of the spider?
- Have you ever been on a long car trip? If so, describe it. Where were you going, and with whom did you travel? How did you feel at the beginning, middle, and end of the trip?
Chapters 7–9
- What do you think of Gram and Gramps? Do they remind you of anyone you know?
- Phoebe’s mother said, “You can never be too careful.” Do you agree with this? Why?
- Who was the young man who visited Phoebe’s house? Do you think he seemed like a lunatic?
- “Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked two moons in his moccasins.” What does this message mean?
Chapters 10–11
- Choose an example of figurative language from the book. What picture does this figure of speech create in your mind? Draw this picture.
- Describe a time when you had feelings of panic similar to the ones Sal has when she cannot find Gram.
- What are you learning about Sal’s personality through the actions and descriptions of other characters?
Chapters 12–13
- What do you think about the pipe that Sal shares with her grandparents? How do you feel about this tradition? Would you have tried the pipe if you were in Sal’s position?
- Have you ever had a teacher like Mr. Birkway? Why did he have the students write a summer journal? Do you think he should read them?
- How does the author use foreshadowing at the end of Chapter 13 in regard to the journals?
Chapters 14–16
- Why do you think Sal is the only one to notice that Mrs. Winterbottom seems sad?
- What is your impression of the boy who takes Gramps’s wallet and then helps Gram on the way to the hospital?
- Have you ever been in an emergency situation like Gram’s? Were you the person who needed help, or did you have to help someone else? Explain what happened and how you felt throughout the experience.
Chapters 17–19
- What things are important “in the course of a lifetime”? What things may seem important but really are not? Make a list of both kinds of things.
- Chapter 18 is called “The Good Man.” What detail from the chapter provides the best proof that Sal’s father is a good person? Why?
- Were Phoebe and Sal right to run away from the “lunatic”? Do you think this young man is a matter for the police?
Chapters 20–22
- Write about the ways in which Phoebe’s story is similar to Sal’s story.
- Why is it significant that Sal and Ben’s soul drawings are identical?
Chapters 23–24
- What recurring ideas, or motifs, did you find in today’s reading? How do they connect with earlier parts of the story?
- Why do you think Sal’s whispers are now saying, “Slow down, slow, slow, slow”?
- Sal often thinks about her mother in flashbacks. Why did the author write the story this way? What triggers Sal’s flashback in Chapter 23?
- Have you ever felt like the “birds of sadness” were flying around your head? Write about this experience.
Chapters 25–27
- Draw a picture that reflects some part of today’s reading.
- Has Phoebe changed since the beginning of the story? Has Sal changed? Explain some ways in which these characters have changed or stayed the same.
- How do you feel about Phoebe’s behavior in Chapters 25–27? Does it remind you of any experiences from your own life?
- What important realization does Sal have at the end of Chapter 27?
Chapters 28–30
- What are the whispers that Sal keeps hearing? Why is it important to her to arrive in Lewiston on her mother’s birthday? Do you think they’ll make it in time?
- Do you agree with Sal that “it isn’t normal to die”? Why or why not?
- Make some predictions about what will happen next in the story. Can you predict how the story will end?
Chapters 31–32
- How do you feel about the way Mr. Birkway handled student journal writing? How would you feel if a teacher read aloud some of your personal writing, without your permission?
- Make some inferences about Mr. Birkway’s behavior with the journals. What does he hope to accomplish by sharing them? Is he trying to be mean or cruel? Give evidence to support your inferences.
- What do you think the lunatic has to do with Phoebe’s story? Why was he in the picture with Sergeant Bickle? Predict what you think will happen next with this character.
Chapters 33–35
- Write about one of the themes in Walk Two Moons. What parts of the novel suggest this theme? Does the theme help you understand something about real life?
- What new perspective do Sal and Phoebe gain on the Birkway family in Chapter 33?
- What did you think of Gram’s reaction to Old Faithful? Have you ever visited Old Faithful? If you have, describe the experience for those who haven’t seen it. If you haven’t, would you like to visit now that you’ve read about it?
Chapters 36–39
- Do you think Sal was the best choice to be the narrator of this story? Why?
- Why do you think Phoebe reacted the way she did when she first learned that her mother was coming back home?
- Why did the author choose to title this book Walk Two Moons?
Chapters 40–44
- What does the name Blackberry symbolize for Sal?
- Would you have had the courage to drive four hours by yourself in Sal’s situation? Why do you think Gramps allowed her to drive herself? Did he use good judgment?
- Why do you think the author used the “layered story” technique for Walk Two Moons? What similarities did you see between the two stories?
6th Grade The Island of the Blue Dolphin.
Big Theme Questions
What personal qualities can help people cope with difficulties or dramatic changes in their lives?
What role do animals play in the lives of human beings? Consider both tame and wild animals.
- The author provides many descriptions of Karana’s island. Draw an outline map of the island and add places and details mentioned in the book.
- Karana talks about the use of secret names among her people. If you had a secret name, what would it be and why?
- In the last paragraph of Chapter 2, the author gives the reader a hint about what might happen next. How does he do this? What do you think will happen next?
Chapters 3–4 |
- How did the author foreshadow the trouble with the Aleuts?
- Using the descriptions given, draw a sea otter, labeling its features.
- What happens when the Aleuts leave the island? How do you think this will effect Karana and her people?
Chapters 5–6 |
- Write a summary paragraph of the story so far. Be sure to show relationships between events by using words such as then, because, and therefore.
- How do Karana's people react to the tragedy? Why do you think they leave the island?
Chapters 7–8 |
- Compare and contrast the items Karana packs with the items you would take if you had to leave your home in the next ten minutes.
- Why does Ramo miss the boat? What does Karana do about this? Would you do this for anyone? Who and why?
- Near the end of Chapter 8, O’Dell once again foreshadows future events. What has happened? What do you think will happen next?
Chapter 9 |
- In Chapter 9, Karana confronts a tribal custom. What decision does she make and why?
- Sequence the steps Karana used to make the spear. You may use a flowchart, a numbered list, or an illustrated chart.
- Continue summarizing each chapter of the book.
Chapter 10 |
- What major problem does Karana face in Chapter 10? How would you solve it?
- What can you infer about Karana's character based on her actions?
- Why are the stars important?
- Summarize what happens in this chapter.
Chapters 11–12 |
- How does Karana feel to be back home? Describe a time when you felt like this?
- What new understanding does your knowledge of sea elephants bring to the story?
- Continue adding to your character chart for Karana.
Chapters 13–14 |
- Karana is determined to make a spear with an elephant seal tooth and goes to great lengths to do this. Does this seem like a smart idea? Why or why not? Suggest an alternative to Karana’s plan.
Chapters 15–16 |
- Describe the setting of the story. Explain how the setting helps make this story possible.
- Describe the relationship between Karana and the wild dogs. Does her new relationship with Rontu surprise you? Why?
- Add the sea caves and other details to your island map.
Chapters 17–18 |
- Identify one or two images from the text and explain why you found them striking.
- Write a description of Karana, Rontu, the setting, or another element of the book using imagery and figurative language.
- How did Karana make the giant spear? How did it work? Illustrate and label it.
Chapters 19–20 |
- Finally Karana encounters the giant devilfish. Describe this action-packed event.
- What is the mood of the scene in which Karana and Rontu explore Black Cave? Explain your answer using details from the story.
- What long-awaited event happens in Capter 20? How does Karana respond? What do you think might happen next and why?
Chapters 21–22 |
- Does Karana trust Tutok? Explain.
- How does Karana feel at the end of Chapter 22? Have you ever been in a similar situation?
- Continue summarizing the main events of the novel.
Chapters 23–25 |
- Sequence the major story events since the beginning of the book. Use a time line, flow chart, or numbered list.
- Add to your island map, or character chart.
Chapters 26–27 |
- Describe how Karana catches Rontu's son. What mood is presented?
- What mood does O'Dell create with his description of the tidal wave and earthquake? How does he create it?
- Write a vivid description of a natural event, such as a snowstorm or thunderstorm.
Chapters 28–29 |
- What was your favorite part of the book? Why?
