My Fathers Dragon

By Ruth Stiles Gannett

Name __________________________

Name ______________________________ Date

__________________

Lets pick your brain

In the chart below, explain what you know about
each word listed by answering the questions in the
two boxes.

Word

Islan
d

Drag
on

What I think of is

I know it
isnt

Name ________________________________ Date ___________________

Lets get to know the author

Ruth Stiles Gannett
Kahn (born August 12,
1923) is the author of the
My Father's Dragon series
as
well as other short children's
novels. She wrote the first novel, My
Father's Dragon after her graduation
from Vassar College in 1944, with a BA
in Chemistry. After that book received
Newbery Honor, she wrote two more
novels in that series, Elmer and The
Dragon and The Dragons of Blueland.
This series of three books has proved
so popular that they have remained in
print continuously since their first
publication. The books were illustrated
by her stepmother, illustrator Ruth
Chrisman Gannett. Gannett also wrote
Katie and the Sad Noise and Wonderful
House-Boat-Train. She was married to
the artist, art history professor and
calligrapher Peter Kahn (deceased).
The couple have seven daughters and
eight grandchildren. She lives near
Trumansburg, New York. A deluxe

edition of "My Father's Dragon" was

released on October 28, 2008.
( Wikipedia article )
Name _____________________________________ Date
____________________
Use the
information from the article about Ruth Stiles
Gannett to answer the following questions.

1.
When was she born?
______________________________________________
2.
Where did the author go to college?
______________________________________________
3.

List 3 other books Ruth Stiles Gannett wrote.

__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
____________
4.
Who was she married to?
____________________________

5.
How many children did the author have?
__________
6.
Who illustrated My Fathers Dragon?
__________________________________________________
__
7.

What was unique about the illustrator?

__________________________________________
__
Name __________________________ Date ____________
Chapter One page 8-13

1.

Who is telling the story My Fathers

Dragon? ________________________________
How can you tell?
__________________________________________________
__
__________________________________________________
___

2.
List in sequence, three important events
that occur in Chapter.

_______________________________________
_______________________________________

_______________________________________
_________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_________
3.
Which word BEST describes the father in this
chapter?

A. greedy
B. shy
C. Kind
D.
upset
Give one detail from the text to support your
answer (pg. _____)
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________

Write about it.

In the story, my father is kind to the cat. Write about a time
when you were kind to an animal or person.

_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
________________________
Let Predict
What did the cat see on Wild Island that made him
want to weep? (page13)

_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_______________

Name __________________________ Date ____________

Chapter Two page 15-21

1.

List 3 details about Wild Island that

were given in the chapter.

______________________________________________
______________________________________________
________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
________

2.
List 3 details which describe the little
dragon.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
________

3.

List the items Elmer will take on his trip

to Wild Island.

Lets Predict

Why do you think Elmer would bring the grain

sack labeled CRANBERRY with him on his trip?

__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
_______________
Lets Write
The title of Chapter Two is My Father Runs
Away. Write about a time when you thought
about running away. If you havent thought about
running away write about why you dont want to
run away.

__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
______________________________
Name __________________________ Date ____________
Chapter Three page 22-30

1.

Read the sentences below from

the story

He went down to the hold and hid among some bags

of wheat. The ship sailed early the next morning. My
father hid in the hold for six days and nights. Twice he
was nearly caught when the ship stopped to take on
more cargo.

What does the word hold mean in these

sentences?

_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
______
Using what you know about the hold of a ship.
Draw an illustration of the visual you created in
your mind about the hold of the ship our
My mental picture of a hold of a ship.

character hid on.

2.
Reread page 21. What did the father do
with the grain sack marked CRANBERRY?
Explain your answer.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________
________________
3.
What did the father find to eat in chapter
3?
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
____________
4.
List 3 important events from this chapter
in sequence.
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
_________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
_________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
_________

Name ________________________ Date

________
Lets Write
After reading chapter 3 you learn that father
stays in the hold of the ship for 6 days and
nights. If you were going to be made to stay
somewhere for 6 days and night, what would
you bring with you on your trip to help you
survive and why would you pick those items?
(Remember, you dont want be detected by the sailors.)

_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
__
Name __________________________ Date ____________
Chapter Four page 31-37

1.

Elmer is _______________in chapter

4.
a.
mean
b. sleepy
c.
careful

2.
Complete the chart below. Fill in the
character trait with the one you chose in
question #1.
Character

Character
Trait

2 examples of evidence from

the text
1.

Elmer
2.

3.
Elmer creates a plan on how to find the little
dragon. Do you think the plan he makes is a good
plan? Explain your answer using details from the
text.

__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
_______________
4. According to the boar, what are the
signs of recent invasion?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
_______________
Lets Write
One boar says to the other: Shall we retire? on page 32. List as
many synonyms and antonyms for the word retire in the chart
below.
Word

Synonyms

Antonyms

retire

Lets predict
Elmer uses the gum in chapter 5, what is your new
prediction for how Elmer uses the gum.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
____________________
Name __________________________ Date ____________
Chapter Five page 38-47
1.

Think about what you have read up to this

point. Record a connection you have made
with My fathers Dragon.

My connection

2.
How did Elmer stop the tigers from eating
him? Use the text to support your answer.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
____________________
3.
Reread page 39 where the jungle is describes.
List describing words that help you create a
mental picture of the jungle in the chart provided.
Describing words
JUNGL
E

Now draw your picture making sure that when

someone looks at your picture they could guess
the words you had in your chart.

Lets predict
The title of chapter 6 is My father meets a
Rhinoceros. Look at your Knapsack chart and what
hasnt been used. Predict what Elmer will use next
and how he will use it.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
________________________________
Name

__________________________ Date ____________

Chapter Six page 48-55

1.

Was your prediction about what item

would be used correct? Explain your

answer.

_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
____________

2.
List all the reason for why the Rhino was
weeping.
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
____________________
3.
What did Elmer do to help the Rhino forget
about him?

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
________________

Lets make a connection

The rhino talks about his tusk being ugly. What
connection can you make with the Rhino?
_______________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
________________
Name

__________________________ Date ____________

Chapter Seven page 56-61

1.
Why is the Lion angry at himself?
__________________________________________________
____
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
____________

2.
What things does Elmer pull out of his
knapsack when he meets the lion?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
________________
3.
How does Elmer escape from the lion in the
jungle?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________

Name _________________________________ Date

__________
Lets Write
Elmer want to let the cat know how his adventure to
save the little dragon is going. He want the cat to
know he is still alive, and about how he was out

smarted the animals in the jungle so far. Write a

letter to the cat summarizing the adventure.
Dear Cat,
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______
Your Friend,
Elmer Elevator
Name __________________________ Date ____________

Chapter Eight page 63-72

1.

What was Elmer looking at when the

Lioness scared him into hiding?

__________________________________________________
___
2.
What animal came to Elmer next?
___________________
3.
What did the animal plan on doing to Elmer if
he didnt answer all his question fast enough?
__________________________________________________
___
4.
How does the monkey help Elmer escape
from the gorilla? Explain your answer using
evidence from the selection.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________
5.
Think about the tool the monkeys used in this
chapter.

What is the tool they used?

_________________________
List what you would use the tool for if you had
one.

Name __________________________ Date ____________

Chapter Nine page 73-78

1.

Why did Elmer need to get to the other

side of the river?
_________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
________
I found my evidence on page _______

2.
Who invited Elmer into the River? What did
the animal want to do to Elmer?
__________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________
________________
I found my evidence on page _____
3.
What item from Elmers bag helped save him
from the crocodiles and how did he use the
items?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
________________________ I found my evidence on
page ______
Name __________________________ Date ____________
Chapter Ten page 79-87

1.

Explain how Elmer used the lollipops to

trick the alligators.
________________________

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________

2.
Which word best describes how the dragon
feels at the end of the chapter?
__________________________
Give evidence from the selection to support your
word choice.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________
3.
What do you think will happen after Elmer
and the dragon reach Tangerina? Explain why you
think so.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
________________________
Name ____________________________ Date
_____________

My Fathers Dragon Tic Tac Toe

Board
Directions: Pick 3 activities you would like to
complete from the board below that will create Tic
Tac Toe. Each activity has a directions on the back of
this page to help you understand more about what
you must do to complete the activity on the board.

Create a
Using the
Write a
crossword
characters
letter
puzzle
from each
to the
using 10 to
chapter,
author
20 of the create math
about My
vocabulary
word
Fathers
words from problems.
Dragon.
the book.
Research
Book
Create
about
advertisem your own
gorillas and
ent about
island.
create a
My Fathers
brochure
Dragon
about the
information
learned

Research
Design
about
Write
Trading
crocodiles
Chapter 11
Cards about
and
for the
each
alligators
book.
and create character in
the story
a Poster
about how
they are
alike and
different
Name__________________________________ Date
___________
Directions for Tic Tac Toe Board Activities.
1. Write a letter to the author: You must write a letter to the author of My
Fathers Dragon. You must have at least 15 Sentences. You should introduce
yourself, tell her what you like about her book, and ask her questions about
her book or life.
2. Create a crossword using at least 10 but no more than 20 of your
vocabulary words. Use the definitions as clues for the word you are look for.
3. Create a math problems based on each chapter. You problems should
involve the characters from the stories but do not have to be about the
events of the book. You must also create an answer sheet for your problems.
4. Complete a Book Advertisement sheet. Write a summary about the book
and create a picture to illustrate a scene from the book.
5. Create your own island. You will have to draw and island and write about
your islands fact as if your island was on the news as a new discovery. You
will need to write a news article explaining all the facts about your island.

We must know the name of your island, where it is in the world, who lives
there (people or animals), what is special about the island and any other
interesting facts you want to share about your discovery.
6. Research about Gorillas by using the books provided in the class and
create a brochure about the Gorilla. Where is lives, what it eats, the
different types, and any other interesting facts you want to share.
7. Research crocodiles and alligators using the books and information
provided. Then create a Poster about how they are alike and different. Your
poster must have a title, list things that are the same and different about the
animals and have an illustration.
8. Design trading cards for each animal in the book. The front of the card
would have an illustration of what the animal looked like. On the back of the
card would have the name of the animal and then a summary of what
happened in the chapter and where the animal first appears in the book.
9. Write a chapter 11 for the book. You will need to tell us in detail what
happens next with Elmer and the Dragon. Your chapter must be at least one
notebook page long and have an illustration that matches an event in your
new chapter.

Trading Cards

_______________________
Dear Mrs. Ruth Stiles Gannett,

_____________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
______________________________________________

BREAKING NEWS
NEW ISLAND DISCOVERED!

_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_______________________________________

Cross Words Puzzle Created by

____________________

Down

MAP OF WILD

Across

Legen
d

Wild Island

Tangerine Island

Ocean Rocks

Weeping Pool

Dragon

Clearings

River

Jungle