Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson Lit Link Grades 7-8

Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island is one of the most beloved novels ever written. When an old seaman, Billy Bones, dies at young Jim Hawkins' inn, Jim discovers the treasure map of the famed Captain Flint among the old seaman's belongings. With the help of family friends, Dr. Livesey, and the squire, a sailing ship is purchased, a crew hired and led by Captain Smollett, Jim, and his friends head for the island on which the treasure is buried. Upon reaching Treasure Island, Long John Silver, the ship's one-legged cook, leads most of the crew in a bloody mutiny against Captain Smollett and the others. Will Jim and his friends survive to find and claim the treasure? And what will become of the traitorous Long John Silver? Children will be thrilled by this classic adventure story while examining themes of loyalty and fear. The activities in this lit link will guide their learning through chapter-by-chapter questions. Additional activities in vocabulary, word study, and personal development are designed according to research-based education principles to improve literacy skills in communication, critical thinking, and more. The students will: ¿ develop their skills in reading, writing, listening, and oral communication ¿ use good literature as a vehicle for developing skills required by curriculum expectations: reasoning and critical thinking, knowledge of language structure, vocabulary building, and use of conventions ¿ become meaningfully engaged in the drama of literature through a variety of types of questions and activities ¿ identify and describe elements of stories (e.g., plot, main idea, characters, setting) ¿ learn and review many skills in order to develop good reading habits ¿ provide clear answers to questions and well-constructed explanations ¿ organize and classify information to clarify thinking ¿ learn about the danger of making first impressions and the value of personal enterprise and bravery ¿ relate events and feelings found in novels to their own lives and experiences ¿ appreciate the importance of friendship and loyalty in personal relationships ¿ appreciate that the growth of one's character is more important than wealth or social status ¿ learn the importance of dealing with adversity and developing perseverance in the face of adversity ¿ state their own interpretation of a written work, using evidence from the work and from their own knowledge and experience