Substitute Teacher Lesson Plan: Treasure Island (Chapter I)

Objective

Students will read and analyze the opening chapter of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, identifying how the author uses descriptive details and narration to build suspense and introduce a mysterious character (the old sea-dog/captain).

Materials

• Provided text: Treasure Island, Chapter I: "The Old Sea-dog at the Admiral Benbow"
• Lined paper or notebooks for each student
• Pencils/pens
• Whiteboard or chart paper (optional, for listing observations)

Warm-up (~5 min)

Write this question on the board (or read aloud): "Have you ever met someone who seemed mysterious or a little scary, but you weren't sure why?"

• Ask students to jot down 2-3 sentences describing what makes a person or character seem "mysterious."
• Call on 2-3 volunteers to share aloud.
• Explain: "Today we're reading the opening of a classic adventure novel, Treasure Island, where the narrator meets a very mysterious guest at his family's inn."

Main Activity (~25 min)

1. Read Aloud/Round-Robin (15 min): Have students take turns reading Chapter I aloud, paragraph by paragraph (or the teacher/a strong reader can read it while others follow along). The chapter covers the arrival of the old sea-dog (captain) at the Admiral Benbow inn, his strange habits, his fear of a "seafaring man with one leg," and his frightening behavior with the other guests.
2. Guided Notes (10 min): As you read, pause at these points and have students jot answers in their notebooks:
3. After the captain's arrival: What physical details does Stevenson use to describe the captain? List at least 3.
4. After the description of his daily habits: Why does the captain ask Jim to watch for "a seafaring man with one leg"? What does this suggest about the captain's past?
5. After the description of his storytelling: How do the neighbors feel about the captain's presence at the inn — scared, excited, or both? Find a sentence that supports your answer.
6. At the end of the excerpt: What effect has the captain had on Jim's father and the inn?

Wrap-up / Exit Ticket (~10 min)

On a half-sheet of paper or in their notebooks, students answer the following in complete sentences:

1. Describe the old sea-dog (captain) in 3-4 sentences, using details from the text.
2. Why do you think the captain is so afraid of "the seafaring man with one leg"?
3. In your opinion, does the captain seem more like a villain or a victim so far? Explain using one detail from the chapter.

Collect exit tickets before students leave, or have them place them in a designated basket/tray.

If Time Remains

Have students imagine they are Jim Hawkins writing a short diary entry (4-6 sentences) describing their first impression of the captain and how it feels to live in the same inn as him. Students may share their diary entries aloud if time allows.