September: Adventure/Survival
Hatchet
Activity # 1: (WRITING/SPEAKING) The American media is always hungry
for a news story. Set up your classroom to represent a press conference.
Assign parts for Brian Robeson, his parents, and reporters who want to hear
his incredible story. What questions would the press be most likely to ask?
Be sure to include video footage of the conference. If possible, have two
cameras to see more than one "angle" on the conference.
Activity # 2: (RESEARCH) Brian had to learn to survive by eating whatever
he could find that was edible in the wild. Choose a deserted area in any
part of the world and research what kinds of foods you might find in that
area that would keep you alive if you were the sole survivor of a plane
crash. If you're feeling brave, have a snack period with nothing to eat
but foods from the lists you have generated from your research.
Activity # 3: (SPEAKING) William Faulkner was known for writing in a
style called stream-of-consciousness. Using this style, his characters'
thoughts would flow freely from one topic to the next without interruption.
While we all think in this fashion, it is sometimes difficult to put such
thoughts into words. Take the voice of Brian Robeson and tell your classmates
in stream-of-consciousness style what you have been through since the pilot
of your plane had a heart attack. Practice with partners first, then attempt
to keep the "flow" going in front of the entire class.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen was published in 1987 by Simon and Schuster,
NY NY.
For more information on the author GARY
PAULSEN.
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