Activity Overview
Brian learns several lessons throughout his time in the wilderness, many of which are related to survival. They're both useful and interesting for students to understand and if they're particularly interested, perhaps even research! Have students create a single page, or a series of pages, of a survival booklet based on what they've read in the story.
This activity can be extended to a class activity if students create one or two pages. You can assign them specific lessons or have them select their favorite. Once they've finished, the pages can be printed out and combined into a class survival booklet!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a survival booklet or a page of a booklet that highlights and illustrates the survival lessons Brian learns throughout his time in the wilderness.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Use a textable to type the survival lesson.
- Use appropriate scenes, characters and items to illustrate the survival lesson.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
Activity Overview
Brian learns several lessons throughout his time in the wilderness, many of which are related to survival. They're both useful and interesting for students to understand and if they're particularly interested, perhaps even research! Have students create a single page, or a series of pages, of a survival booklet based on what they've read in the story.
This activity can be extended to a class activity if students create one or two pages. You can assign them specific lessons or have them select their favorite. Once they've finished, the pages can be printed out and combined into a class survival booklet!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a survival booklet or a page of a booklet that highlights and illustrates the survival lessons Brian learns throughout his time in the wilderness.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Use a textable to type the survival lesson.
- Use appropriate scenes, characters and items to illustrate the survival lesson.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How Tos about Hatchet Survival Booklet Activity
How to Facilitate a Classroom Discussion on Survival Skills from Hatchet
Engage students in a whole-class conversation about the survival skills Brian uses in Hatchet. This helps students connect personally with the story and deepens understanding of real-world applications.
Prepare open-ended discussion questions
Write thought-provoking questions like, "Which skill do you think was most important for Brian's survival? Why?" or "How might you feel if you were in Brian's situation?" These encourage critical thinking and personal connections.
Set clear expectations for participation
Explain that everyone should contribute at least one idea or question. This creates a supportive environment where all voices are valued and students feel comfortable sharing.
Use visuals or props to spark interest
Show pictures of survival tools, nature scenes, or items mentioned in the book. Visuals make the discussion more engaging and help students imagine the story setting.
Summarize key takeaways together
At the end, invite students to share what they learned or found surprising. This reinforces main ideas and encourages reflection on survival skills and personal growth.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hatchet Survival Booklet Activity
What is the Hatchet survival booklet activity for students?
The Hatchet survival booklet activity is a classroom assignment where students create a page or booklet highlighting key survival lessons learned by Brian in Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Students can illustrate and explain these lessons, helping them connect literature to real-life survival skills.
How can I guide students to create a survival booklet based on Hatchet?
Guide students to identify important survival lessons from the story, use textables to describe each lesson, and add scenes or illustrations showing how Brian survived. Encourage them to select their favorite lesson or assign specific ones, then combine their pages into a class booklet for sharing.
What are some examples of survival lessons from Hatchet to include?
Examples of survival lessons from Hatchet include finding safe drinking water, building shelter, starting a fire, foraging for food, and staying calm in emergencies. Each lesson shows how Brian adapts and survives in the wilderness.
Can this activity be done individually or as a group project?
Yes, the Hatchet survival booklet activity works well for both individuals and groups. Students can create their own pages or collaborate to make a class survival booklet, fostering teamwork and creativity.
What grade levels is the Hatchet survival booklet activity best for?
This activity is ideal for grades 4–5, matching students' reading and comprehension skills with the themes and lessons found in Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.
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