Name ______________________
Touching Spirit Bear: Daily Journals, Focus, and Targets
1. Make connections by writing in the margins of the book, circle unknown words, and underline
examples of figurative language.
2. Complete the character profile for Cole Matthews and cite evidence.
3. Complete teacher-directed activities throughout the novel study.
4. Use your composition book to record appropriate notes.
5. The majority of this book will be read in class together. However, based on time constraints, students
may be occasionally asked to read at home.
Introduction to Touching Spirit Bear
Author Information: Ben Mikaelsen
Predictions: What do you believe this book will be about?
Enduring Question: Are people capable of change?
Before Reading Journal: Anger is a tough emotion. When you are upset, how do you deal with it? What makes you
feel better?
Focus: Setting
_____Target: I can identify, describe, and understand the significance of the setting in Touching Spirit Bear.
*Read Chapters 1-3
Journal: Cole has a lot of anger. Who or what does he blame for his problems? Cite evidence from the book.
Focus: Constructive vs. Destructive/ Compare and contrast
_____Target: I can identify and distinguish between constructive and deconstructive responses to anger using a T
chart.
*Read Chapter 4-6
Journal: As Cole is lying on the ground, he begins to think about many things. Explain why “control” is the thing he is
most angry about.
Focus: Characterization/Biographical Poem
_____Target: I can identify and describe how character is revealed through actions, words, and thoughts in
Touching Spirit Bear.
*Read Chapters 7-9
Journal: At this point in the novel, what is your opinion of Cole? Has your opinion changed often throughout the
novel?
Focus: Characterization continued
_____Target: I can form an opinion of Cole Matthews and support my opinion with examples in the novel.
*Read Chapters 10-13
Say It- Support it-Explain it
Did banishment fail Cole or did Cole fail himself? Support your opinion with evidence from the novel.
Journal: Describe Cole’s experience with the Spirit Bear on page 95. As he felt himself losing life, he said he was content
because of three things. What were they?
Focus: Complications and Conflict
_____Target: I can identify and explain the rising action and conflict in Touching Spirit Bear.
*Read Chapters 14-17
Journal: Edwin wants to teach Cole a lesson about life. He explains that everyone has a choice about what to focus on.
So far what has Cole focused on? Cite evidence that supports what Cole is focused on in the novel.
Focus: Point of View/ I AM poem
_____Target: I can identify the vantage point from which the story is told and understand its significance.
*Read Chapters 18-20
Journal: Cole has been watching and learning from animals around him. Think about the animals he has danced about
and what he has learned from them. Then, pick one animal you think you could learn from. In your journal, draw a picture
of the animal and describe what this animal can teach you.
Focus: Symbolism/ Totem Pole
_____Target: I can define symbolism and identify examples in Touching Spirit Bear.
*Read Chapters 21-24
Journal: What do you think Cole can do to help Peter?
Focus: Resolutions
_____Target: I can identify the climax and resolution in Touching Spirit Bear and explain the transformation of
Cole Matthews.
*Read Chapters 25-28
Journal: Describe the change that happens with Peter and Cole when they are on the island together. Cite evidence
from the novel that gives evidence of this change.
Focus: Theme
_____Target: I can identify the author’s message in Touching Spirit Bear.
Setting Up Your Composition Book
Step 1: Number your composition pages # 1-15 (Front and Back)
Step 2: Page 1-5 will be reserved for journal questions. Write “Journals” at the top of pages 1-5
Journal Requirements
You must restate the question for each journal. This will be your
topic sentence. Each journal question must be fully answered using
complete sentences.
Example: What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is pizza. I enjoy pizza because there are so many
different kinds of pizza. There are also so many different ways to
make a pizza. My favorite kind of pizza is Jet’s. I like cheese and
pepperoni. I could eat pizza everyday probably.
Step 3: Pages 6-10 will be reserved for the Character Profile. Write “Character Profile” on the top
of pages 6-10. Make a double journal entry and label both columns as shown below.
A Character Profile
Who is Cole Matthews?
The main character is multi-dimensional and experiences many different things throughout the novel. As you read the
novel, take note of Cole’s behavior. Is it positive or negative? Does he change? Can he be trusted?
*In your journal, reserve several pages (pages 6-10 pages) and create a table like the one shown below.
Use the right hand column to chart Cole Matthew’s positive side. Use the left hand column to chart negative aspects
of Cole Matthews. Make sure you include the page number so you can refer back to this evidence.
Positive comments, actions, thoughts and
feelings of Cole Matthews/ Evidence
including page #
Negative comments, actions, thoughts and
feelings of Cole Matthews/ Evidence
including page #
Step 4: Pages 11-12 will be reserved for examples of figurative language. Write “Figurative Language”
at the top of pages 11-12.
Step 5: Page 13-15 will be for additional notes. Write “Additional Notes” at the top of pages 13- 15.
Step 6: Pages 16-20 will be for Chapter Summaries.