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Sign of the Beaver
Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
26 posts | 54 read | 9 to read
Although he faces responsibility bravely, thirteen-year-old Matt is more than a little apprehensive when his father leaves him alone to guard their new cabin in the wilderness. When a renegade white stranger steals his gun, Matt realizes he has no way to shoot game or to protect himself. When Matt meets Attean, a boy in the Beaver clan, he begins to better understand their way of life and their growing problem in adapting to the white man and the changing frontier.Elizabeth George Speare s Newbery Honor-winning survival story is filled with wonderful detail about living in the wilderness and the relationships that formed between settlers and natives in the 1700s. Now with an introduction by Joseph Bruchac."
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ravenlee
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
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1770-ish, Maine territory

Matt, almost 13, spends a summer and autumn alone when his father goes to fetch the rest of the family to their new homestead. Problems arise, and the local Native Americans step in to help Matt in an emergency. As he learns from them and begins to thrive in the forest, his father‘s return is delayed. When his friends ask him to leave the territory with them, will he stay or will he go now?

Cont below

ravenlee Pretty well done job of showing strengths of Native beliefs and lifestyle, and kudos for showing Matt questioning some of his white-centric ideas (seriously, though, the Robinson Crusoe bit made me cringe). Surprisingly thought-provoking. 4y
rabbitprincess Whoa I remember reading this book in school! I was probably about 9 or 10. 4y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm Omg, I‘d forgotten all about this book! It was one of the few books we were made to read in school that I genuinely enjoyed. I‘ll have to track it down and give it a re-read now that I‘m older. ❤️ 4y
ravenlee @rabbitprincess @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I‘ve been vetting books to use for additional material with our history lessons this year. So far this one looks like a pick. Not sure yet if I‘ll read it with the kiddo, give it to her as an option or as required. Kinda depends on how many others I find (the next one I tried was a hard pass). 4y
41 likes1 stack add4 comments
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jkraynak
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
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I liked the language and descriptiveness used in this last paragraph of the story.

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jkraynak
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare

(1983) I would read this story to my older elementary students to incorporate a culturally diverse book , that also has a lot to do with survival, in our classroom. It was a very detailed story with a lot of talk of being with nature. It also has a John Newberry medal award.

review
jkraynak
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
Pickpick

This a historical fiction book set in the 1700‘s about (white) settlers and Indians. Matt is the main character, a 13 year old boy who is left in the wilderness to protect himself, and their family‘s cabin he helped make. He is awaiting his dad‘s return. Matt eventually meets a chief and makes new friendships as they teach him things. He comes across a difficult decision when deciding to go on with their tribe or not.

jkraynak I would definitely read this to my students. it discussed relationships, hard choices, and the hardships of daily survival. 5y
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Kayladvazquez
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
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Pickpick

This book is a HF. I would use it as a literature circle. Matt was left in the wilderness while waiting for his father to bring his family to a new settlement. While waiting Matt meets a chief. Matt has to make a big decision between joining the tribe or to wait for his dad to come back.
Awards: Newbery Honor
EL: Partner read, vocabulary list
UDL: 9.2
https://media.btsb.com/TitleLessonPlans/1675.pdf
#UCFSU19

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cjegolden99
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare

“He had envied Attean his free, unhampered life in the forest, and the boisterous comradeship in the village.”

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cjegolden99
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare

Historical fiction. Again, another wonderful book for older readers or perhaps a book for starting younger readers on longer, more in depth texts. Something I‘ll add to my list of books to read completely.

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cjegolden99
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
Pickpick

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare, 1983. This is a wonderful story about a young boy and his struggle to decide to go on his new and exciting journey with a Native American tribe or stay with his family during a time of colonization. It is detailed without feeling too much like nonfiction.

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mollsmichele
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare

“ but there were times when he had thought he‘d like to share with someone. With anyone”

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mollsmichele
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare

This story is a John Newberry medal award winner. It is recognized for its incredible story line and beautifully written words.

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mollsmichele
Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
Pickpick

The sign of the beaver is a historical fiction novel about a boy left alone in the wilderness of Maine for an entire summer he survives with the help of the Native Americans who teach him many things.

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Ariel8Smith
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
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“He could not allow this man to speak the fear he had never dared to admit to himself”

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Ariel8Smith
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare

Culturally diverse book that can teach children about survival when you have little to nothing besides nature around you

review
Ariel8Smith
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
Pickpick

1983, historical fiction. Story of 13 year old Matt who had the responsibility of keeping his families cabin safe. White stranger with a gun comes and matt has to protect himself. Matt makes a new friend who helps him survive in the forest. He begins to understand his heritage and way of life in the Beaver clan

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lauren_rese
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
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lauren_rese
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare

Love how this books teaches about survival and the unexpected

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lauren_rese
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
Pickpick

This books is about the relationship between the white settlers and the Indians during the 1700‘s. This book reflects on having to survive in the wilderness like we need to learn to survive on a daily basis. A great book that allows you to understand different ways of life and living. Genre: Historical Fiction; Published: 1983

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misshawksbooklist
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
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I like how the author tried to convey how this Indian child would talk, but how can we know this is accurate?

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misshawksbooklist
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
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I loved the cover and back of this book! It shows the division before the friendship and it‘s so interesting to see!! It only makes me want to read this book more!

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misshawksbooklist
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
Pickpick

Published in 1983, this historical fiction book discusses the relationships between white settlers and Indians in the 1700s. The story uses young boys to convey the start of these relationships through friendship and does a great job of creating a captivating story while also including authentic information to connect background facts and the story.

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Eggs
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
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Thirteen year old Matt is left alone to guard the cabin while his father travels to retrieve Matt ‘s mom and sister. Carving notches on a stick, he‘s told to expect them in 6-7 weeks which turns into 7 months. Matt befriends a boy and his grandfather of the Beaver tribe and begins to understand their way of life

Allydanielle88 That sounds interesting 6y
sammisho One of my favorite books when I was a kid! 6y
77 likes2 comments
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AshleyC
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
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By: Elizabeth George Speare Historical Fiction
Award: Newbery Medal
This book is a lovely read about a boy in the wilderness who builds a log cabin! He learns how to survive without any guidance from his father. It is a wonderful read for students to gain a sense of self-sufficiency! The teaching strategies that can be used from this book is LC, AS, IR, SR, PR!

AshleyC http://www.warsaw.k12.in.us/document-library/guided-reading-lesson-plans-1/level... this lesson plan could in fact be used for this book! It provides before, during, and post questions! 7y
AshleyC UDL Strategy- 6.1 provide appropriate goal-setting! This lesson plan can be a little tough but with direction the students will do amazing! An EL strategy that can be included is 16- intégrate speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities! 7y
1 like3 comments
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Tyrone
Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
Pickpick

I had to read this for a class novel and it was AMAZING😁

RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. 7y
2 likes1 comment
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EricaG
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
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Pickpick

This HF Newbery Honor winner and first ever winner of the Scott O'Dell Award, written by Elizabeth George Speare, is a great book to use for LC or IR for upper elementary and middle school students. The idea for this book came from a factual story that the author discovered, about a young boy who was left alone for a summer in the wilderness of 18th-century Maine, and was befriended by a Native American boy and his grandfather.

EricaG The ending of the book leave the reader wondering what happens to the characters. This gives a great opportunity for students to write their own ending to the story on what they think happens after the book ends.
https://www.teachervision.com/sign-beaver
The link lists some activities that can be used with this book.
7y
EricaG The writing activity meets EL 16- integrate speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities. And UDL 7.1- Optimize individual chose and autonomy because they get to choose their own ending. #UCFLAE3414F17 7y
AJones I like your teaching strategies. Students will love creating their own ending. Great way to share and hear the different scenarios. 7y
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MeganMc This looks like such an amazing book. Definitely going to add it to my stack! I love the activities that you linked. 7y
MakennaK This book looks so good I'd love to read it! I also like the activity that you would do. Having kids write their own ideas and opinions is always a great idea 7y
DrSpalding I have seen local fifth grade classrooms using this book as a literature circle selection. Good choice. 7y
3 likes6 comments
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intothehallofbooks
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
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Pickpick

I've just read this book for the third time with my family for #homeschool. The first time was for the historical/time period significance and a study of cover art vs content. The second time was for a Newbury study. This time, they are learning to write a better persuasive essay. I love it each time. The older cover on the left is my favorite.

This book is great opener to discuss how literature ages over time (ex: word choice and other issues).

Hestapleton I read this book in third grade when I was homeschooled and I couldn't get enough of it! My whole family loved this one. 7y
Lindy It comes up several times on the American Indians in Children's Literature site, if you're interested in what Indigenous educators have to say about it: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.ca/2007/04/more-on-sign-of... 7y
intothehallofbooks @Lindy Thank you for sharing this article! This is such a great resource to use along with the book discussion. Thank you! 7y
intothehallofbooks @Hehaney My whole family loves it too! 7y
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MrBook
The Sign of the Beaver | Elizabeth George Speare
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Pickpick

Who remembers this great story from their childhood? I read this one way back in elementary school and loved it! Matt is alone in the Maine wilderness, where he is helped by a chief and the chief's grandson, Attean, who teach him survival skills & ask him to join their tribe. A rugged story about friendship, family, acceptance, respect, & responsibility. And how about that original cover, huh? #PairWith: Poland Spring bottled water, chilled.

Hoopiefoot I need to revisit this one--I had forgotten all about it but I think I loved it! 8y
Johanna414 I loved this one, but The Witch of Blackbird Pond was my favorite! 8y
bookwrm526 I haven't actually read any of her books. I own a copy of Witch of Blackbird Pond but I haven't gotten to it yet 8y
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Erynecki My kids loved it 8y
aeeklund I loved this one so much. I loved all of her books. 8y
Soubhiville Oh yeah, I remember reading this! 8y
LovesToRead Planning on reading this book for our homeschool lit next month!! 8y
silverlocusts I remember this one! I wanted to be left alone in a cabin in Maine, and I kinda still do 8y
MrBook @Hoopiefoot ☺️👍🏻! @Johanna414 @bookwrm526 Don't know if I've read that one 😳! @Erynecki 😁🙌🏻! @aeeklund 😊👏🏻👍🏻! @Soubhiville 😁👏🏻👍🏻! @LovesToRead 😊👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻! @silverlocusts 😂👏🏻👍🏻🙌🏻! 8y
LaurenAsh Whoa, just had a flashback to third grade! 8y
Kangaj1 About to read it with my kids! 8y
110 likes13 stack adds11 comments