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This nation-wide project is sponsored in Georgia by the National Science Center Fort Discovery collaborating with the Georgia Educational Technology Training Centers. The project is directed by the ETTC at the National Science Center. 

summary : Zia has spent the majority of her life at the mission thinking about her aunt Karana who lives alone on the famous island of the blue dolphins not far away. Zia longs for Karana to be "rescued" and live at the mission, but when this happens, Zia has her hands full. 

paperback book - ISBN: 0440219566 - retail: $5.50
(prices from amazon.com)

cassette version from Recorded Books, LLC 1-800-638-1304

See the Island of the Blue Dolphins web page for more links that may be helpful in teaching Zia. 

• Link to a Scott O'Dell teacher resource file
• Link to information about the real Karana - the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island from the SanDiego Museum of Man website
• Link to a webquest exploring Island of the Blue Dolphins and Zia as fact or fiction
• Link to a supplemental site for teaching Zia with a focus on the gray whale, Indian folklore, and God's eyes

Topics from the novel to use and possible extension activities . . . 

• Explore the Spanish language - there are lots of words and phrases infused throughout to immerse the reader - some are listed in the vocabulary section below
• Draw or create a model of the various boats described throughout the novel based on the descriptions given
• Research missions, mission life, how missions are formed, how mission locations are chosen
• Compare the treatment of Zia to that of current treatment of women in various countries and to Native Americans on the Trail of Tears
• Research the gods Mukat and Zando to understand their significance in the novel if not familiar with them from The Island of the Blue Dolphins.
• Draw a map of where you think Karana's island of the blue dolphins is located based on the descriptions in the book. 
• Research the Chumash indians
• At the end of chapter 4, the quote "he who turns his stern to wind and spray, lives to sail another day" leads perfectly into a discussion of similar saying, phrases, and proverbs
• Respond to the quote in chapter 6, "at no time is [the sea] a place to do foolish things."
• Parallel the adventures of Mando and Zia with David's sea adventure in The Voyage of the Frog
• Research plants, animals, places, and foods mentioned in the novel and have students give presentations - act it out, oral, multimedia, etc. to teach the other students and introduce terminology before reading the novel
• Research indian dialect
• At the end of chapter 9, what do you think will happen next? Who do you think is right: Mando or Zia?
• In chapter 11, Captain Nidever says "bravery is good to have." What other characteristics are good to have?
• Many Spanish words are similar to English words as you can see in the novel, why? What other languages are similar? Can you think of words that are similar that are not mentioned in the novel?
• In chapter 13 Zia nods as if she understands, but she really does not. Do you ever do this? Are there certain situations where you are more likely to do this?
• Research measles
• It is said that people sided with Stone Hands because they liked and feared him both - have you ever known someone like this?
• What would you done with the key to the sleeping quarters if you were Zia?
• Research marriage ages in various countries
• Research and perform various dances
• Which is better: to live in squalor, in brush huts on the beach and be free or to live a "nice" life and not be free?
• Early in chapter 21 Karana and her dog Rontu-Aru jump ship, why?
• In chapter 21 Karana sees Zia for the first time, do you think Karana realizes this is not Ulape, but her daughter? Do you know mothers and daughters or fathers and sons who look similar enough to be brothers / sisters?
• What language do you think Karana speaks since no one can understand her?
• At the end of chapter 22, why do you think that Karana enjoyed walking in the beach with Rontu-Aru most of all?
• In chapter 23, they speak of Father Vincente being too young to head a mission as big as Santa Barbara - do you think that age should matter as long as you are qualified for the job? Are there times when age matters more than other times?
• The book mentions a reason why Karana dies, do you agree or think it is something different?
• Research the themes of freedom, courage, and commitment to family

Vocabulary Words and animals to consider while reading . . .