Activity Overview
The main character in the story, Sam, is only a young teenager when he decides to live on his own in the woods, owned by his family from long ago. When Sam leaves New York, all he brings with him is a penknife, $40.00, a ball of cord, and an ax. With these things, access to a library, and the help of a few others, Sam is able to survive in the wilderness indefinitely. For this assignment, students will make a “Wilderness Survival Brochure”, as written by Sam Gribley. Each page will include details about 4 things that Sam did in order to survive in the woods.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a wilderness survival brochure for the book My Side of the Mountain.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Create a title and a cover page for your brochure.
- In the description boxes, describe 4 ways that Sam survived in the wilderness, using evidence from the text.
- Create a scene that matches each description.
- Be sure to write as if you are speaking in Sam’s voice, giving directions to someone else.
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
The main character in the story, Sam, is only a young teenager when he decides to live on his own in the woods, owned by his family from long ago. When Sam leaves New York, all he brings with him is a penknife, $40.00, a ball of cord, and an ax. With these things, access to a library, and the help of a few others, Sam is able to survive in the wilderness indefinitely. For this assignment, students will make a “Wilderness Survival Brochure”, as written by Sam Gribley. Each page will include details about 4 things that Sam did in order to survive in the woods.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a wilderness survival brochure for the book My Side of the Mountain.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Create a title and a cover page for your brochure.
- In the description boxes, describe 4 ways that Sam survived in the wilderness, using evidence from the text.
- Create a scene that matches each description.
- Be sure to write as if you are speaking in Sam’s voice, giving directions to someone else.
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 My Side of the Mountain Wilderness Survival Guide
Incorporate collaborative research for deeper wilderness survival insights
Encourage students to work in pairs or small groups to research real-life wilderness survival techniques beyond the book. This builds teamwork skills and expands their understanding of survival strategies.
Assign each group a unique survival topic to explore
Give each group a specific aspect of survival, such as building shelters, finding food, or first aid. This ensures a variety of information and keeps students focused on their topic.
Guide students to summarize and present their findings
Have groups create quick, visual presentations or poster boards summarizing their research. This reinforces public speaking and helps peers learn from each other.
Integrate researched tips into individual brochures
Ask students to include at least one new, researched survival tip in their own brochures, citing sources where possible. This connects literature with real-world skills and sharpens research abilities.
Reflect on how real survival skills compare to Sam’s experiences
Lead a class discussion or writing prompt to compare researched survival methods with the strategies Sam used in the novel. This deepens comprehension and encourages critical thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions about My Side of the Mountain Wilderness Survival Guide
What is a wilderness survival brochure for My Side of the Mountain?
A wilderness survival brochure for My Side of the Mountain is a student-created project that describes how Sam Gribley survives in the woods, using examples from the book. It includes survival tips, scenes, and instructions as if Sam is teaching others.
What are four ways Sam survived in the wilderness in My Side of the Mountain?
Four ways Sam survived include: building a shelter inside a tree, finding and catching his own food, making use of simple tools like a penknife and ax, and learning from library books and people he met. Each method shows his creativity and resourcefulness.
How do I make a My Side of the Mountain survival brochure for my class?
Start by creating a title and cover page. Then, describe four survival strategies Sam used, provide evidence from the text, and illustrate each scene. Write instructions as if you are Sam teaching someone else how to survive.
Why is it important to use evidence from the text when describing Sam's survival methods?
Using evidence from the text ensures your brochure is accurate and shows you understood My Side of the Mountain. It helps you support your descriptions with real examples, making your project stronger and more credible.
What should I include on each page of my wilderness survival brochure assignment?
Each page should have a description of one way Sam survived, a matching scene or illustration, and instructions written in Sam's voice. Be sure to reference specific moments from the book for authenticity.
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