My family recently read The Sign of the Beaver together and it was such a rich learning experience for me and my children. 

This coming-of-age, adventure story unfolds as the main character seeks survival in a dangerous wilderness, learning from the nearby Native American tribe known as the “Beaver” clan. This story challenges assumptions and beliefs during the late 1700s in North American, a time of European colonization.

My children and I loved this story and the abundant opportunities for learning embedded in the book. This blog post includes details about the story, plus some of the activities we did alongside the read-aloud.

In this blog post:

• The Sign of the Beaver summary
• Themes in The Sign of the Beaver
• The Sign of the Beaver book study ideas and activities
• How we use Treehouse Book Studies in our homeschool
• See how our community uses Treehouse Book Studies
• Literature-based curriculum from Treehouse Schoolhouse

The Sign of the Beaver summary

The Sign of the Beaver is a children’s historical novel that follows 13-year-old Matt Hallowell, an 18th-century American settler in Maine. After he and his father build a log cabin in the wilderness, Matt goes on many adventures as he is left alone to guard the cabin when his father leaves to retrieve the rest of their family. 

While guarding the cabin, Matt learns how to survive in the wilderness with help from an Indian chief’s grandson, Attean, and his family. As Matt questions whether or not his father will return, he is invited to join the Beaver tribe and move north with them. 

Themes in The Sign of the Beaver

There are so many opportunities for learning as you read The Sign of the Beaver. Some of the themes in the story are:

• History of log cabins
• Geography and history of Maine 
• Wabanaki tribes 
• French-Indian War 
• Bees and hives 
• Primitive animal traps 
• Beaver dams and beavers 
• Edible and poisonous plants
• Black Bear
• Native American homes 
• Native American games
• Native American food 
• Moose
• Fisher Cat 

This book is an excellent choice if you are looking to add a work of literature suitable for upper elementary children or round out your history curriculum with a young adult fiction novel. 

The Sign of the Beaver book study ideas and activities

As we read The Sign of the Beaver, we used The Sign of the Beaver Book Study to map out our four-week reading schedule, engage in discussion about the reading, and do activities and projects that coordinate with the story. Here are some of the activities we loved:

We learned all about log cabins through research and notebooking, and constructed delicious ones out of pretzels and graham crackers!

We dove into books about Native Americans and notebooked about different tribes, such as the Wampanoag tribe.

We learned about animals in the story, like North American Black Bear and beavers. All of my children did notebooking and illustrations to document our learning. I love how both my younger and older children could participate in this activity!

We gathered with our book club friends for presentations and to celebrate finishing the story!

How we use Treehouse Book Studies in our homeschool

Treehouse Book Studies are digital download book studies of children’s literature for ages 6-12. They are designed for use in your homeschool as literature curriculum or as book study with a small group. Create lasting connections through rich stories while you study themes such as science, nature, geography, history, and language arts. Each download includes: Book Study with weekly lesson plans, recipes, Book Report Template, Extension Book List, Multimedia Reference Materials links, and Book Club Meet-up Guide.

In my family, we do a read-aloud together over lunch and use this as a jumping off point to explore literature together, along with themes in history and science. 

I love that we can use the reading plan and Book Club Guide from Treehouse Book Studies as a way to blend literature with other subjects my children are studying. I created it to be an organic way to read high-quality literature and explore new topics like geography, historical figures, vocabulary, and more in an organic way.

After finishing the book, we meet with a group of friends who have also read the book to celebrate finishing the novel, give presentations, eat snacks related to the story, and more. I love that we have a template to engage and share in learning with our friends and family. We benefit so much from collaborating and learning with one another!

See how our community uses Treehouse Book Studies

I love seeing how the fun and learning other families chose while using The Sign of the Beaver Book Study!

Literature-based curriculum from Treehouse Schoolhouse

Treehouse Story School: Preschool

Treehouse Story School: Preschool is 32-weeks of gentle, literature-based curriculum designed for ages 2.5-5 years. This preschool curriculum that invites children to learn through the themes in stories they love. Each week will focus on a picture book, inviting children into connection and learning through music and movement, play-based narration, alphabet and number play, motor skills, practical life development, crafts, and baking together.

It would be a great fit for your toddler or preschooler if you are looking to incorporate multi-sensory, play-based learning while introducing them to timeless stories. From toddler through upper preschool, this curriculum can be used year after year as you dive deeper into beloved, classic stories your family will cherish. Preview a free week here.

Treehouse Nature Study

Treehouse Nature Study is a year-long seasonal nature study curriculum designed with family-style learning in mind. It is a gentle guide meant to invite various ages to connect with each other and the world around them through living books, nature notebooking, hands-on projects, and beauty subjects such as poetry, picture study, and folk songs. Available in both Primary and Intermediate Years, Treehouse Nature Study will provide years of rich education for the whole family.

Did you read The Sign of the Beaver? Share your favorite parts in the comments below.