The LitWits Kit for ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS
Kit only ($69)
$69.00
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× $39.00 each
The LitWits Kit for ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS
$69.00
for teaching in hands-on, meaningful ways that engage and educate ages 7-12
We ship 4x/year: Feb 15, May 15, Aug 15, and Nov 15. Shipping is free within the USA.
⚠️ New shipment added for 9/1/26—order now to reserve your kit!
Additional student supplies for ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS
More kids? Expand your kit! Add-on pricing requires shipping with your kit to one address.
Want to pay with school funds? Here's how . . .
Ask your school to send a PO for your order amount, including sales tax, to orders@litwits.com. Once the PO is received, we'll email you a coupon code and link to place your order — no cost to you!
LitWits is already a vendor with Ocean Grove, South Sutter, Sky Mountain, and Taylion. Want us to be a vendor for your school? Let us know!
Save hours and hours (days!) of planning and prepping a memorable "field trip" through Island of the Blue Dolphins! Our open-and-go LitWits Kit is perfect for family-style homeschooling, classroom projects, after-school enrichment, and more.
This kit is packed with prepped supplies for fun, meaningful, hands-on activities, including a guide with cross-curricular connections and discussion prompts. To teach more than one child, add more supplies to your kit.
Created and hand-packed with love by founders Becky & Jenny, who've taught this book the LitWits way since 2010. Questions? We love to help—write us!
Straight-from-the-story fun (and learning!)
Alone on an island—but never without purpose. Island of the Blue Dolphins is Scott O'Dell's timeless story of a girl who discovers what she's truly capable of. Through creative activities taken straight from the story, kids will learn key lessons about Karana's remarkable journey toward courage, compassion, and self-reliance. When kids do a story, they GET it—and want to read more.
Besides teacher treats, worksheet keys, the optional book, and a teaching guide, the LitWits Kit for Island of the Blue Dolphins includes all materials for these activities:
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Feature the island to build map skills and geographical vocabulary.
In the kit: setting and vocabulary worksheets, modeling clay, watercolor set, black cardstock, island template, map reference card, location flags, sticks -
Weave a coastal carryall to learn its symbolism and narrative significance.
In the kit: basket template, twine, yarn, moss, abalone shell, burlap, holepunch -
Envision Karana's black voyage to understand her real turning point and pick up some astronomy.
In the kit: felt, ribbons, frame, stars, constellation model
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Compare comparisons to learn how to write (and not write) similes and metaphors.
In the kit: literary devices worksheet -
Catch some snacks and skills to savor "a bite of the book" while practicing descriptive writing techniques
In the kit: marine snack bag label (food not included), creative writing worksheet -
Retell the story in artistic symbols to visualize a narrative and practice graphic storytelling.
In the kit: black card stock, sandpaper, oil pastels -
Craft a gift of friendship to learn how trust can be built without words.
In the kit: shells, abalone buttons, “sinew,” linen gift bag, gift tag -
See how this story fits on the arc to understand narrative structure.
In the kit: narrative arc worksheet -
Enjoy story souvenirs that help kids remember lessons for life.
In the kit: travel sticker, scrapbook page, coloring bookmark
Because we source real, natural, and artisan materials to make each activity feel authentic, no two kits are exactly alike—that's part of the magic! Colors, shapes, and sizes of items (shells, moss, and other story treasures) will vary. Occasionally we may substitute a material or brand, but only when we've found something we love just as much or more—never to cut corners.
Independent educational resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by author/publisher of Island of the Blue Dolphins.
Who can be a "field trip" leader?
YOU can! It's a lot of fun and you don't need experience—we make it easy. Kids love doing what the characters and author did, while you share good things to know as you go! The Field Trip Leader's Guide in the kit will walk you through each activity, pointing out the subjects connected to it, and giving you step-by-step directions and discussion prompts. You'll also get "extra provisions"—worksheet keys, and extra templates and supplies you might want for certain activities, either to create a model beforehand or show kids firsthand how it's done. Or just to join in the fun!
LitWits Kits are perfect for:
- homeschool education
- classroom support
- after-school enrichment
- teacher librarian activities
- book club projects
- anyone who wants to inspire a love of literature
- in one word, YOU!
How it works (so simple!)
- Your learners read (or listen to) the book.
- You guide the experience through making, doing, and conversation.
- Your kids get that great books are fun—and they want to read more!
What you get
Can't hear the video? After clicking Play, click the speaker icon in the upper right corner.
All LitWits Kits include everything you need to deliver a fun, memorable learning experience for one child! (For multiple students, you can add extra sets of supplies to your kit.)
- prepped supplies for at least 3 curated projects
- labeling or packaging for a "bite of the story"
- 3-4 worksheets
- 3 story souvenirs to help kids remember their "field trip"
- Field Trip Leader’s Guide with step-by-step directions and discussion prompts, and subject connections for cross-curricular learning
- digital access to our entire printables set for that title, so you can do more if you like
- a copy of the book, if you buy that option
- a little surprise for YOU, right out of the book 😉
FAQ
Is this a full curriculum?
Multiple subjects are addressed through our creative activities, as noted in the Field Trip Leader's Guide in each kit. Your kit is full of fun educational opportunities, and you can check many "subject boxes" as you teach.
But no, you won't get a a chapter-by-chapter walkthrough of the book with analysis and assignments. Instead you'll get a fun kit full of creative, meaningful activities designed to support your existing homeschool, co-op, or classroom plans, and inspire your kids to love great books.
Is anything NOT included?
Kits don't include basics you already own, like a pencil, glue, scissors, or tape.
Kits don't include food, for freshness/allergy reasons, but we do provide fun packaging for the suggested snack..
Kits also do not include:
- rubrics, assessment tools, or anything to do with grading
- chapter-by-chapter vocabulary sheets, quizzes, and assignments
- anything that sucks the joy out of reading and teaching!
How much prep is required?
Hardly any! Most parents review materials briefly, get the basics together (pencil, glue, scissors, tape), add the suggested snack, and begin. You can do all the activities after the book has been read, or "pause and play" as you read together.
If you think your kids would benefit from a project model, you can make one ahead of time, or do it with them—we include "extra provisions" just for you, for activities we think you might like to do alongside or ahead of your kids.
Do I need teaching experience?
No! Our guides are designed for thoughtful adults, not necessarily professional educators. The Field Trip Leader's Guide in the kit will walk you through each activity, pointing out the subjects connected to it, and giving you step-by-step directions and discussion prompts.
We also include "extra provisions" for you—worksheet keys and extra templates and any supplies you'd need to create a model or show kids "how it's done." You'll have as much fun as they do!
What if my child doesn't love reading yet?
Don't worry—our hands-on projects and conversation starters will quickly engage your child. The most important thing is to read the book for fun, whether your child reads independently or the book is read to them.
The next most important thing is to guide them through the activities with enthusiasm, weaving in discussion questions in a conversational way. Watch for the "aha" moments in their eyes, and ask them what they're thinking about.
If you keep the reading assignment-free, and the teaching thoughtful but light, they'll pick up on the deep stuff. They'll get that literature has "secret meanings." For both reluctant and avid readers, that's cool—and it makes reading fun.
Should I do the activities all at once, or over time?
Most teachers, both homeschool and classroom, do a “pause and play” as they read through the book together. Librarians and book club leaders often pick-and-choose to fit the time they have, but could also do the pause-and-play model.
We’ve always taught after the kids have read the book; they come to our workshops full of the story, having read it just for fun, and we immerse them in the sensory activities for three hours straight.
How do I use school funds?
Ask your school to send a PO for your order amount, including sales tax, to orders@litwits.com. Once the PO is received, we'll email you a coupon code and link to place your order — no cost to you!
LitWits is already a vendor with Ocean Grove, South Sutter, and Sky Mountain charter schools. If you'd like us to be a vendor for your school, please let us know!
When will I get my order?
We ship four times a year: Feb 15 (spring), May 15 (summer), Aug 15 (fall) and Nov 15 (winter). Be sure to order ahead!
Once your order has shipped, you'll get an e further information. Delivery times will vary depending on your location. Shipping is free, but please note we only ship within the USA.
Can I get a refund if it doesn't work for me?
Due to high costs on our end, all sales are final. We ask that you view the specific kit preview and read its description carefully before ordering. If something isn't as clear as we thought, please ask us to clarify first.
Open your kit upon receipt and let us know if something is missing or damaged—we'll send you what you need right away. If you have other questions or concerns, please let us know. If you're unhappy with your kit for any reason, we'll do all we can to make it right.