HATCHET
Gary Paulsen
21/4/15 Hatchet: 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!
22/4/15 Hatchet: 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
“He had to fly it somehow. Had to fly
the plane. He had to help himself.”
How would feel if you were in Brian’s situation?
What do you think you would do? Write your
answers in your copybook.
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?
23/4/15 Hatchet: 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.