HATCHET Gary Paulsen

21/4/15Hatchet: An Introduction TP: Good readers understand the importance of making predictions Bell work: Write down any thoughts that come to your mind when you hear the words ‘survival’ and ‘wilderness’.

Hatchet Book Trailer A trailer gives a preview of selected scenes from a movie in order to advertise it. These scenes give the audience a taster of what will happen in the movie, without giving the whole story away. We will now watch a short trailer that has been created about the book Hatchet. As you watch, write down any predictions you have about the story. What do you think will happen? Do you think you will enjoy it? Why/ why not? What genre do you think it will be? Why?

Chapter One How do you think flying in a normal, commercial plane would differ from flying in the small plane that Brian is travelling in? What type of flight do you think would be safer? Give a reason for your answer. Share your ideas and write them down.

Prediction Time! What do you think ‘the Secret’ is? What makes you think that?

Class Discussion “All of flying is easy. Just takes learning.” What do you think might be the importance of the pilot showing Brian how to fly?

Think/Pair/Share “Now there was a constant odour, and Brian took another look at the pilot, found him rubbing the shoulder and down the arm now, the left arm, letting go more gas and wind.” What do you think is wrong with the pilot? What do you think will happen next? Share your ideas with your partner and write them down in your copy book.

Class Discussion “And now a jolt took him like a hammer blow, so forcefully that he seemed to crush back into the seat, and Brian reached for him, could not understand at first what it was, could not know. And then knew.” What do you think Brian has realised?

Exit Pass On the post-it notes you have been given, write down three things that you predict will happen in the story. Make sure to hand in your post-it note as you leave the class!

22/4/15Hatchet: Chapter 2 TP: Good readers can understand the events that happen in a story Bell work: Summarise what happened so far in Chapter 1 in three bullet points.

Chapter Two As you are reading, write down any interesting vocabulary or words that you don’t understand at the back of your copybook.

Thinking Point How would feel if you were in Brian’s situation? What do you think you would do? Write your answers in your copybook. “He had to fly it somehow. Had to fly the plane. He had to help himself.”

Class Discussion “After half an hour of listening and repeating the cry for help he tore the headset off in frustration and threw it to the floor. It all seemed so hopeless.” Why do you think Brian is no longer getting a response over the radio? Why do you think he keeps trying?

Think/Pair/Share “He would have to come down near the edge of a lake and try to slow the plane as much as possible just before he hit the water.” Do you think Brian’s plan is a good one? Why/why not? What are the benefits of his plan? What problems might arise?

Dictionary Skills Look up the words you wrote down as you were reading and record their meanings. If you finish, write at least THREE sentences using the words in context.

Test Your Knowledge Answer the following four questions about Chapters 1 and 2 in your copybook in full sentences. 1. Why is Brian visiting his father in Canada? 2. How does Brian feel about his mother? 3. What is Brian’s plan for landing the plane? 4. Does Brian’s reaction to the pilot’s death seem real? Do you think most 12 year olds would react like this?

23/4/15Hatchet: Chapter 3 TP: Description is important to allow the reader to visualize the story. Bell work: Explain the first thing you would do if you were in Brian’s situation (flying a plane alone). Keep in mind you are completely cut off from the outside world.

Chapter Three DESCRIPTIVE WRITING is the clear description of people, places, objects, or events using details. An effective description will contain sensory details to allow the story to come alive. Re-read the extract that describes in detail the plane crashing into the lake (page 27-28). Select words and phrases that help you visualise the plane crashing into the wilderness. Write them in your copybooks in preparation for the next task.

Task Individually or in pairs, draw a picture of the plane crashing into the lake. Make sure you focus on the details you read in the extract.