Unit 6

What Does It Mean to Be Canadian?

Lesson 10

Reader's Notebook

Heroes of Isle aux Morts

Pages 166 to 171 of Literacy in Action 5B.


This story tells about the Harvey family who lived on the shore of Newfoundland in the 1830s. They, along with their dog, rescued the passengers of the ship Despatch when it hit a rock during storm.

Today, the Coast Guard ship that patrols the waters around Newfoundland is named the Ann Harvey after the girl in this true story. Anne has also been named a "Grace Darling of Newfoundland" for her heroic deeds.

This story is longer than other stories you have read so far in this unit. Have patience and persevere. It's a good story.

Painting of the Harvey family with their dog, Hairy Man (Town of Isle Aux Morts)
Click each coloured row for information about the activity.

Before you being reading, preview the story.


Look at the title first. Part of this title (Isle aux Morts) is written in French. It may help you to think about what English words sound or look the same as these words. "Isle aux Morts" will be explained in the story.

Look at the pictures in the story. Pay attention to what sort of mood or setting the pictures portray. Go to the Reader’s Notebook: Heroes of Isle aux Morts worksheet and answer the Before Reading questions. Make sure to write at least one complete sentence for each question.




Document: Reader’s Notebook: Heroes of Isle aux Morts
Click here to download

Download PDF


  1. Download the document Reader’s Notebook: Heroes of Isle aux Morts.
  2. IMPORTANT NOTE: When the download screen opens: 
      • Click the "Open with" button.
      • Select "Adobe Reader".
      • Click "OK".
      • You will then be able to view the document Reader’s Notebook: Heroes of Isle aux Morts.

  3. Print the document.
You will notice that the Reader’s Notebook: Heroes of Isle aux Morts questions for this story are divided into three sections: page 167, pages 168 to 169, and pages 170 to 171.

Read one section of the story at a time, then stop to answer the questions for those pages on the Reader’s Notebook worksheet.

Reflect on Your Reading


Think back on the story you just read. The Harvey family were very brave to risk their own lives to rescue the passengers on the ship. The family can be seen as a symbol of the people of Canada.

  • What is one way the Harvey family represents the people of Canada?

There are many symbols in this story. Some of these symbols are as follows:


  • Hairy Man
  • The red flare
  • The rugged sea coast
  • The gold medal
  • The people of the island
  • The rope

The town of Isle aux Morts (Town of Isle Aux Morts)

On the Reader’s Notebook: Heroes of Isle aux Morts page, write what you think each of these symbols represents.

Save

How to save a file:

  1. Scan the document to your computer.
  2. Have the file open and select Save As from the File menu.
  3. Name your Reader's Notebook: Heroes of Isle aux Mortsfile in this format: jsmith_isleauxmorts and save the file to your Documents folder.

Remember to add any people or symbols from this story to your organizers from Unit 6: We Are Canadian, Unit Opener. You will use this information for your final unit activity.
Websites

Websites

The town of Isle aux Morts still exists on Newfoundland today. If you would like to learn more about the town and the story of the Harvey family, go to the Town of Isle aux Morts website.

You could also visit Anne Harvey's weblog to learn more about the rescue of the people on the Despatch.
Compare your responses with those in the Key by clicking here.