Island of the Blue Dolphins

FINAL PROJECT

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
Writing Activity

TEACHER DIRECTIONS:

After students are finished reading Island of the Blue Dolphins,

have them complete this unique writing activity.

Brainstorm with students ideas for their introduction, 3 events

they could write about, and a conclusion.

I tell students that they should pick 3 very specific events and
give a lot of details. I let my students pick their 3 events, but
you could assign events to struggling students and let your higher
students pick their own.

After students have completed the provided organizer have them

write a rough draft.

Students will complete the editing and revision process.

I have my students complete a final copy on the provided paper (I

copy on cream colored paper) and decorate a bottle template.

It is a great way to assess student understanding of the book.

Name: __________________________________
Task:
Write a letter from the point of view of Karana to your tribe letting them know you have survived on the island.
Tell them about your initial time on the island and about the adventures you have had since you were left by the
rescue ship. Describe at least three events including any friendships that you have made along the way. Be
descriptive in your letter. Describe the way things looked, felt, and sounded. Also explain the way you felt
throughout your time alone on the island. At the end of your letter, tell your tribe whether you would like
them to return for you or not.

Message in a Bottle Organizer

Introduction: (Tell your tribe you are safe, explain what happened to Ramo, ask about the members of your tribe
and family, etc.)

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Event 1:

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Event 2:

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Event 3:

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Conclusion: (Tell your tribe if you want rescued, Do you want them to write back? Do you want to stay on the
island?, etc.)

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Name ___________________________
Message in a Bottle Rough Draft
Introduction:
Dear ___________________________,
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Event 1:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Event 2:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Event 3:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Conclusion:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________,
__________________

Island of the Blue Dolphins- Writing Activity

Message in a Bottle- Rubric

Introduction
(Includes greeting, Ramos tragedy is described, transition to events is made)

____/3
Event #1
(Description of event is complete with many specific details, event is told from the point of view of Karana, transition
between paragraphs, event is in chronological order with other events)

____/5
Event #2
(Description of event is complete with many specific details, event is told from the point of view of
Karana, transition between paragraphs, event is in chronological order with other events)

____/5
Event #3
(Description of event is complete with many specific details, event is told from the point of view of Karana, transition
between paragraphs, event is in chronological order with other events)

____/5
Conclusion
(Includes a transition from the previous paragraph, Description of whether or not you want rescued, Details about how
you feel being alone in the island)

____/3
Conventions and Paragraph Structure
(Indenting, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, etc.)

____ /5

TOTAL POINTS:

_____/26 _____% _____