Jon Krakauer
INTO THE WILD
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
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Does everyone have a tragic flaw?
Is it true that happiness can only be shared with others?
Does every life story have a critical turning point that
determines their destiny?
When does your “real life” start?
What factors determine that point?
When should it begin?
What happens to people who die before they reach that point?
What is your responsibility to yourself relative to your
responsibility to others (family, society, friends, etc.)? Who do
you feel most responsible to?
PRE-READING LESSON 1
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Close reading of the cover
 List
facts presented on the front cover and evaluate the
details and the effectiveness of the cover of Into The Wild
 Review the way different publications may use a
particular slant or point of view, based on the target
audience.
 Work in small groups to evaluate different publications
using graphic organizer
 Create the headline and lead for an article about Chris
McCandless, modeling the writing that appears in the
kind of publication your group evaluated.
 Present products
 Discuss new understanding of slant/bias in publications
WEEKEND READING ASSIGNMENT
Review abstracts for Author’s Note and Chapter
1.
 Read through Chapter 3 and complete reading
strategies.
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VIRTUAL BUS AND PERSONAL MOTTO ACTIVITIES
LESSON 2
Hand out virtual bus handout and discuss
purpose
 Show examples of completed busses
 Discuss personal motto essay and share
examples
 Journal 1: What is your personal motto or
philosophy? What is most important in life?
What does it mean to really live? Write at least
½ page and title/date your entry.
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PRE-READING “SELF DISCOVERY”
Read “Self-Reliance” excerpt by Ralph Waldo
Emerson
 Write a response paragraph agreeing or
disagreeing with the author.
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Use correct body paragraph format
 Cite at least 2 examples from the article
 Use at least 2 personal examples
 Edit for conventions
 Vary sentence structures and word choices
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HW: Finish response paper at home
LESSON 3
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Spelling Lesson
Review Chapter Abstracts through Chapter 3
Discuss Jon Krakauer’s motivation for writing the book.
Is he biased in any way?
E.C. For reading Into This Air or Call of The Wild for your
next book talk and discussing parallels to Into The Wild.
Read Outside Magazine article using reading strategies
and write a response discussing information in the
article that suggests Jon Krakauer understood Chris
McCandless and his adventure that ended in his
untimely death. Use correct body paragraph format and
at least 2 examples from the article.
HW: Finish article and response paper.
LESSON 4
Vocabulary Exercise for words through Chapter 5
(next slide)
 Discuss aliases and why Chris insisted on using
one during his travels
 Critique the use of flashbacks in the book in terms
of (1) does it add interest and raise curiosity? (2)
is it easy to follow or will it be confusing?
 Share the quotation Krakauer uses from a
postcard Chris wrote. (page 3, Into The Wild)
 Locate the line that sets the tone for the whole
chapter and, in a way, for the whole book.
 Create a postcard home
 HW: Finish postcard, if necessary. Read Ch. 4
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VOCABULARY LESSON 1
AUTHOR’S NOTE AND CH. 1-5
For each of the following words, write the word,
the definition, and an original sentence for
each on a separate sheet of paper.
 narcissist, congenial, ominous, anomaly,
immensity, environs, detrital, oxymoronic,
destitute, fervent
 Bonus: If you finish early, add 5 more words you
find in these chapters and do the same for
them.
(2 points each)
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LESSON 5
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Grammar: Revise one of your response papers from a previous
Into The Wild lesson and add at least 5 new sentence
beginnings or structures and 5 new word choices.
Review Chapter abstract for Ch. 4
Review and discuss HW—turn in postcards.
Introduce Photo Story Assignment/Hand out notebook grade
slips
Thinking in terms of living alone in a place like Alaska for three
months, itemize the things Chris took and evaluate their value.
Discuss what it means to live off the land--what knowledge is
essential? How much does experience enter into the equation?
What are the basic needs
Chris was well equipped in some areas but terribly lacking in
others. Point those out.
HW: Find pics for each of Chapters 1-4 and read Chapter 5.
Quiz and notebook due tomorrow.
LESSON 6
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Weekly Quiz on Chapters 1-5
Turn in NB
On a map of Alaska, draw a red line down Highway A3 from Fairbanks to beyond
Healy, Alaska. Then draw the line southwest from A3 to the Teklanika River. Cross the
river.
On the map, mark an X for the approximate spot where Chris found the bus. This is a
little over 20 miles from the A3 highway. About 1/2 mile south, mark a circle.*
The map indicates approximately the Stampede Trail and students will input
information about that once heavily used road.
Contrast the equipment the moose hunters have as opposed to what Chris took with
him.
This circle will later be recognized as a Geological Survey Station where Chris could
have crossed the raging river.
Study the finding of Chris's body and the decisions the hunters had to make.
Discuss how the narrative shows that even seasoned hunters with a lot of equipment
have difficulties in that area.
Create a Venn Diagram comparing Chris’ equipment and the seasoned hunters’
equipment
HW: Read Ch. 6-7 with reading strategies. Find pics for Photo Story Ch. 5-7
MAP OF ALASKA
LESSON 7
Journal 2: What does it mean to live
deliberately? Is it necessary to do that away
from society or is it possible to do it from within
society? Is it a solitary pursuit or can it be done
in the company of others? Write ½ page and
title /date your entry.
 Review and discuss chapter abstracts through
chapter 7.
 Write a poem/rap or song that reveals your
attitude toward family and/or happiness.
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POEM, RAP, OR SONG
Topic should be family or happiness
 Should be approximately 1 page, double-spaced
and typed, 12-font
 Should include at least 5 literary devices
 Should have a clear point of view, tone and voice
 Should be edited for conventions
 Should have a creative title and demonstrate
creativity and effort
 HW: Poem due tomorrow at start of class. Be
working on “bus”
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LESSON 8
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Spelling
Share poems and relate to Chris McCandless’ attitudes toward
family and happiness
Discuss quote at the beginning of Chapter 4 and the tone it
sets for the chapter. Discuss imagery.
Introduce and define concept of “tragic flaw”
Think-pair-share character flaws demonstrated by Chris.
Complete “Meeting Christopher McCandless” handout
HW: Trace the canoe trip in terms of impulsive behavior, lack of
knowledge, lack of purpose, and irrational behavior. Create a
visual that illustrates this trip and these characteristics as they
are exhibited by Chris.
LESSON 9
Vocabulary for Chapters 6-10 (see next slide)
 Where do personal rights end and the rights of
others begin?
 Read the jigsaw article assigned to your group
and fill out the graphic organizer.
 Meet with 2nd jigsaw group and discuss and
share information from your first group’s
assigned article
 HW: Find information about Henry David
Thoreau and compare Chris to him using a
Venn diagram.
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VOCABULARY CH. 6-8
Fill out the concept boxes for each of the
following words:
 anachronistic, inundating, indigent, virulent,
endowed, conjecture
 Remember:
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 Complete
sentences must start with a capital letter
and end with punctuation
 Example and non-example must be specific!
LESSON 10
Grammar: “Avoiding Sentence Problems” page
500-501 Blue Grammar book Ex. 32
 Discuss Thoreau HW and read Walden excerpt
and highlight quotes that might appeal to Chris.
Write a response agreeing or disagreeing with
Thoreau based on your own opinions and
experiences.
 HW: Read Ch. 8, NB and quiz due tomorrow
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LESSON 11
Quiz in chapter 1-8, spelling, vocabulary Ch. 1-8
 In small groups, discuss Chris’ interactions with
various characters and decide what is
relationship with them is using the graphic
organizer.
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HW: Read Chapters 9-10 and do reading
strategies. Work on “bus”
LESSON 12
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Journal 3: Often in the paper and on the news
we read or hear that names are being withheld
until notification of families. How and why is the
article at the start of Ch. 10 different?Jim
Gallien had valuable information as to Chris's
identity, although he only knew him as Alex.
Discuss why it took so long for him to get to the
authorities. Write at least ½ a page and
title/date your entry
LESSON 12 CONTD.
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As a large group,
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Discuss how it was that Wayne Westerberg had Chris's identification.
Compare this fact to Chris's giving his correct name and address to the
California police.
Discuss if you see any irony in Sam McCandless being the family
member contacted by the Alaskan police.
In small groups, analyze the various theories about what
happened to Ruess. Do you agree with Ken Sleight's
interpretation?
HW: Read chapter 11.
List traits of Chris that come to light in chapter 11.
Note Walt McCandless's unique working qualifications.
Pay close attention to Chris's concern for the homeless. Make
sure you have photos for Photo Story available digitally.
LESSON 13
Spelling Lesson
 Discuss Chapter 11 and HW assignment
 Review Photo Story Assignment and use
laptops carts to find pictures through Chapter
11 and begin organizing photos and finding
caption quotes.
 HW: Read Chapter 12 and update “Meeting
Christopher McCandless” graphic.
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LESSON 14
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Vocabulary for Chapters 11-13 (see next slide)
1. Think-Pair-Share and discuss the deterioration of the
relationship between Chris and his family. Decide if Chris’
attitude is rational or over the top idealism. Share out w/lg. grp
2. Define the effect Chris's finding out about his father's bigamy
and keeping the information bottled up inside him caused Chris
to hold greater resentments. Could he have handled the
information better? Do you think he is too unbending and does
not give other people the benefit of any doubt?
3. Analyze why Chris turned against money and wealth? What
did money represent to him?
4. Talk about actions that cause other people pain.
HW: Character sketch of Chris McCandless
VOCABULARY CHAPTERS 11-13
For each of the following words, look up the
definition and create visual to go along with the
meaning of the word.
 Taciturn, volatility, gregarious, incorrigible,
denounce, castigated
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LESSON 15
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Grammar: Assess character sketch for sentence fragments. Underline subject of
each sentence once and double underline verb or verb phrase. Correct any sentence
fragments.
So far in the story, show how Krakauer equates physical exploration that Chris does
with the exploration of his mind. Krakauer suggests Chris was ready to return to
society.
Krakauer mentions that Chris's actions, like his when he was that age, were
understandable but not justifiable. Think-pair-share and explain what that means.
Considering the lingering pain of Carine and the closeness Chris has said exists
between them, editorialize on whether Chris ever considered how he might be
hurting her? Write a brief note from Chris’ perspective to his sister explaining his
actions.
Homework:
Read chapter 14.
Create a Venn Diagram to evaluate similarities and differences between some of
Chris's failures and Krakauer's first failure to climb Devil's Thumb.
Include similarities and differences between Krakauer's relationship to his father
and that of Chris and Walt. Notebook and quiz due tomorrow
LESSON 16
Quiz on Chapters 1-14, spelling, vocabulary Ch. 113
 Divide into groups and draw to determine if you will
debate that Chris’ post card to Westerberg was a
suicide note or a promise to return to civilization.
 Debate and take notes on each side’s perspective
 HW: Select an outside reading book and bring to
class on Monday. Work on “bus.” You should have
at least ten items on your bus by now!
(e.c. for Call of the Wild or Into Thin Air)
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LESSON 17
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Journal 4: next slide
Discuss
Discuss the author's reasons for including his own experience
in a book basically about Chris McCandless.
Considering Chris's failure to find work to pay for his trip to
Alaska and finally calling Franz to come get him, compare his
probably emotions to Krakauer's after failing to climb Devil's
Thumb the first time.
Complete “Shedding Light” Graphic Organizer with a partner
HW: Finish graphic if necessary. Work on “bus” or read outside
reading book.
JOURNAL 4:
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What is the biggest adventure that you have
ever been on? Describe the situation and your
emotions surrounding it; did you feel free?
Happy? Alone? Bonded with those with you?
Independent? Like a tourist?
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Write at least 1/2 page and title/date your
entry.
LESSON 18
Spelling
 Work on Photo Story project
 HW: Read chapter 15.
One of the quotes to begin this chapter has to
do with a son's anger with his father. Relate this
to both Chris and Krakauer in a body paragraph
written with correct format.
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LESSON 19
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Vocabulary Review: Word Sort (next slide)
Discuss family relationships and how children may
resent and rebel against their parents as anger builds.
Discuss how rebellion such as Krakauer and Chris
might have been a case of cutting off their noses to
spite their faces.
Make a time line of Krakauer's building resentments
of his father. Compare especially the unforgiving
nature of Krakauer and Chris in terms of their fathers'
weaknesses.
HW: Read Chapter 16 and complete reading strategies
WORD SORT VOCABULARY REVIEW CH. 1-13
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In a group of 3-4 students, sort the following review
vocabulary into 3-5 categories of your own making. Be
prepared to defend your choices of category and
which word belongs in each category. For instance,
taciturn, gregarious, and congenial might be
personality traits.
narcissist, congenial, ominous, anomaly, immensity,
environs, detrital, oxymoronic, destitute, fervent,
anachronistic, inundating, indigent, virulent, endowed,
conjecture, taciturn, volatility, gregarious, incorrigible,
denounce, castigated
LESSON 20
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Grammar: Blue Grammar page 502-503 Exercise 33 “Revising To
Change Sentence Fragments”
Take notes on definition of Romanticism in terms of frontierism and
comment on how much of that explains Chris McCandless's behavior.
List activities Chris participated in during his first month and a half at
the bus and interpret those as to whether it sounds like a person who
had given up using graphic organizer.
HW: Read chapter 17.
Itemize the artifacts that are all that is left behind by Chris
McCandless. Begin to finalize your “bus.” Busses due Monday. NB
due tomorrow with quiz.
LESSON 21
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Quiz on Chapters 1-17, spelling lessons, vocabulary
through Ch. 13
With a partner, read your assigned chapters and identify
types of genres used by Krakauer in the novel. Fill in the
appropriate section of the graphic organizer.
Share in large group and fill in the rest of the graphic
organizer.
Think-pair-share and brainstorm a list of additional genres
HW: Select one of the brainstormed genres and create an
example that relates to the novel. Also, find an example of
that same genre to contribute to a class collection of
examples. “Bus” due Monday
LESSON 22
Journal 5: (next slide)
 Discuss journal
 “The Pursuit of Happiness” quote activity pages
244 and 245
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HW: “Pursuit of Happiness” page 246
JOURNAL 5:
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In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas
Jefferson stated, “We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their creator with
certain unalienable rights, that among these
are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of
Happiness.” What do these words mean to
you? What rights are each of us entitled to and
what are the limits of our personal rights? Are
all “men” created equal? Write at least ½ page
and title/date your entry.
LESSON 23
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Spelling lesson
Discuss HW assignment
Read aloud what Chris’ mother said at the end of the Epilogue
and discuss if others would agree.
Return to your “Relationships” graphic organizer and, on a
separate sheet, add a column to discuss the effect that Chris’
death had on each of your chosen characters. Defend your
opinions with choices from the book and include page
numbers.
HW: Write an opinion paragraph using correct body paragraph
format about whether or not a person has the right to pursue
happiness in whatever way they choose, regardless of the
effects on those around him or her. Include at least one
example from the book and one personal example.
LESSON 24
Vocabulary Review Activity: Pass the Parcel
 Study questions for Chapters 1-17 in jigsaw
format and share.
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HW: Read Chapter 18 and complete “Searching
for the Author” activity on page 250
LESSON 25
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Grammar: “Correcting Run-On Sentences” on
page 505 of blue grammar book. Exercise 35
and underline any run-ons in response paper
from Tuesday’s homework and correct them.
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Search for Photo Story pics and captions
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HW: Read the epilogue and collect photos
through epilogue for Photo Story. NB due
Monday.
LESSON 26
Class time to assemble Photo Story.
 Hand out permission slips for movies
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HW: NB and permission slips due Monday.
Read outside reading book.
LESSON 27
Collect permission slips
 Journal 6: Crossing The Rubicon (next 3 slides)
 Discuss journal
 Finish Photo Story in class. Due tomorrow.
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HW: Brainstorm personal motto essay, get
permission slip signed if you haven’t already!
“CROSSING THE RUBICON”
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The Rubicon is a river in Italy that Julius Caesar crossed with
his army, against the orders of the leaders of Rome who feared
his power. A civil war followed, and Caesar became the ruler of
Rome.
“Crossing the Rubicon” is now a general expression for taking a
dangerous, decisive, and irreversible step.
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NO GOING BACK!
LIT. TERM
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Allusion: reference to something that is
considered common knowledge
 i.e.
Hawaii is like a Garden of Eden
 Or…Curtis is such a Romeo
JOURNAL 6:
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Now that we know what “crossing the Rubicon”
means, describe a time that you made a
dangerous or irreversible step.
 What
happened?
 How did it work out?
LESSON 28:
Turn in Photo Story
 Discuss why author changed up timeline of the
story
 Spelling Lesson
 Essay review
 RD of personal motto body paragraphs 1-2
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HW: Body paragraph 3, tomorrow last day to
turn in movie permission slips!
LESSON 29
Review intro and conclusion format
 Watch Grizzly Man
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HW: RD of intro and conclusion of essay
LESSON 30
Self analysis of RD
 Finish Grizzly Man
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HW: Typed draft of essay
LESSON 31
Evaluate sentence structures of a peer in typed
draft
 Finish Grizzly Man if necessary or start Into The
Wild
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HW: Final Draft Due Monday. Final exam for
unit next Friday.
LESSON 32
Turn in final draft of essay
 Watch Into The Wild
 Pass out unit test study guide
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HW: Study for unit test and/or finish outside
reading book
LESSON 33
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Finish Into The Wild/book talks
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HW: Study for unit test, bring outside reading
book
LESSON 34 (WED)
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Study for unit test/book talks
LESSSON 35 (THURS)
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Study for unit test/finish book talks
LESSON 36
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Unit Test