The Sign of the Beaver: Reading Guide
Section 1: Chapters 1-6
1. Keep track of your thinking while you are reading with your double-entry journal.
2. Describe the preconceived ideas the white settlers and the Native Americans have of one another. How do you believe they developed these ideas? What type of conflicts do you see already? (Note these on your “conflict tracker” sheet.)
3. Compare and contrast the Native Americans and the white settlers: How do they treat each other? What tools do they use for survival? Which do you think is “smarter”?
Section 2: Chapters 7-13
1. Keep track of your thinking while you are reading with your double-entry journal.
2. In the opening of Chapter 7, Matt refers to Attean as a “savage” and a “heathen”. Look these words up in the dictionary, then explain whether or not you think these are appropriate words to describe Attean.
3. Reread the last paragraph of chapter 9. Explain the type of conflict Matt faces. Where do you think his thinking regarding the right place of the wild man came from? Find another conflict in this section and describe it.
4. Complete an open-mind portrait or other similar characterization project for both Matt and Attean.
5. What is the significance of the book Robinson Crusoe? How does it serve as a parallel to what is going on with Matt and Attean?
6. Note any conflicts you have found on your “conflict tracker” sheet.
Section 3: Chapters 14-20
1. Keep track of your thinking while you are reading with your double-entry journal.
2. Explain how the events with the bear and Attean’s dog affected Matt’s relationship with Attean and the other Native Americans.
3. Reread from the bottom of page 87 to page 89. Summarize the arguments on both sides between the Native Americans and the white settlers. Which side do you think is more justified?
4. Describe how Matt has changed since the beginning of the book.
5. Note any conflicts you have found on your “conflict tracker” sheet.
Section 4: Chapters 20-25
1. Keep track of your thinking while you are reading with your double-entry journal.
2. Describe how Matt finally earned the respect he tried so hard to earn from Attean.
3. Explain why Attean and his tribe are leaving and not returning. Do you think they are making the right decision or should they have tried to stay?
4. Reread page 117 and also the middle of page 135. Who do you think should have the right to live on that land – the Native Americans who have been there for so long, or the settlers who are trying to build a new life for themselves? Complete a graphic organizer to show both sides, then choose and explain the one you believe in.
5. Note any conflicts you have found on your “conflict tracker” sheet.
The Sign of the Beaver: Conflict Tracker
Character vs. Character / CVCCharacter vs. Nature / CVN
Character vs. Society / CVSoc
Character vs. Self / CVSelf
The Sign of the Beaver is filled with a variety of conflicts. As you read, note any conflicts you notice. Identify the type of conflict as we discussed in class.
Description of Conflict (page or chapter) / Type of ConflictThe Sign of the Beaver: End of Book Activities
The Sign of the Beaver: Attean explained that the sign of the beaver carved on the tree reserved the surrounding area as hunting grounds for the family of the beaver. Other Indians respected the sign and its implications. Then, Attean proved his integrity as a member of the beaver family by refusing to free a fox trapped on land marked by the sign of the turtle.
1. Explain how the Indians’ system of marking and respecting territory worked well for the way they lived. Why wasn’t land ownership by individuals a logical option?
2. Cite facts from the story to indicate how the presence of white settlers and trappers was tearing apart the Indians’ system of co-existence and respect for each other.
3. Why wasn’t the Indian method of sharing the land workable for Matt’s family and the other settlers who were moving into the area?
4. Explain why The Sign of the Beaver is an excellent title for this book. How does it summarize the conflict that boiled between Indians and white settlers?
5. When this story takes place, how does it seem that the conflict is being or will be resolved?
6. Suggest one other possible, appropriate title for this book. Explain your thinking.
Matt and Attean: When Matt and Attean first met, Attean detested the white boy. Matt was not pleased that he had to deal with such a sullen, belligerent pupil.
1. Explain why Attean didn’t like Matt even before he met him. How does knowing his past experiences shed light on his reaction to his grandfather’s treaty with the white boy?
2. Attean began a relationship with Matt out of respect and obedience to his grandfather’s wishes. Why was Matt motivated to take on the daunting task asked of him?
3. Explain how, at the end of the story, Matt had become more like Attean while Attean had adopted very little, if any, of Matt’s ways. How was this situation ironic? Was this the original intent when Saknis made his treaty with Matt?
Robinson Crusoe: It was a common interest in the story of Robinson Crusoe that formed the first chain in the friendship and mutual respect that grew between Matt and Attean.
1. Do you think one boy benefited more than the other from the reading of Robinson Crusoe? Explain your answer.
2. Do you have a favorite book from your early childhood? Why do you think this particular story has remained a vivid part of your memories? Did it lead you to look at the world a little differently, or was it simply entertaining and fun?
The Sign of the Beaver: Vocabulary Words
Find the words below in your book and try to figure out their meanings using context clues. Then, check to see if you were correct by verifying the definition in the dictionary. Try to find four more new or interesting words and add them to the blank spots on the back of this page.
Vocabulary Word (pg #) / Your Predicted Meaning / Actual Dictionary DefinitionBlunderbuss (p. 4)
Ruefully (p. 5)
Quavering (p. 10)
Begrudging (p. 17)
Incomprehensible (p. 31)
Detested (p. 32)
Nonchalantly
(p. 41)
Contemptuous
(p. 41)
Disposition (p. 53)
Chagrined (p. 60)
Indignant (p. 64)
Contortions (p. 81)
Ramshackle (p. 85)
Reproach (p. 110)
Teeming (p. 121)
Prowess (p. 122)
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