Survival of the Fittest: 3 Engaging Hatchet Novel Study Activities
Hatchet is one of those books that still grabs middle schoolers. Brian alone in the wilderness with a hatchet, a windbreaker, and a whole lot of problems—students usually want to know what happens next.
The danger is turning a great survival story into chapter question overload. I want students to understand plot, character development, theme, conflict, and evidence, but I do not want to squeeze all the excitement out of the book.
Make review feel like survival
Review does not have to be a packet. A game format works really well with Hatchet because the novel already has suspense and problem-solving built into it.
I created this Hatchet Board Game Review to help students review the novel in a way that feels more active than a study guide.
Students still have to remember details, think about characters, and talk through the story, but the energy in the room is completely different. Game day review is one of my favorite ways to sneak in retrieval practice.
Track Brian’s character changes
Brian changes so much from the beginning to the end of the novel. Have students track moments where he shows frustration, fear, problem-solving, patience, or resilience.
I like having students choose one quote and explain what it reveals about Brian at that point in the story. It keeps character analysis grounded in evidence instead of vague statements like “he got stronger.”
Connect survival to theme
Hatchet is full of survival moments, but the best conversations happen when students connect those moments to theme. What does Brian learn about himself? What does the novel say about patience, mistakes, hope, or independence?
You can connect this kind of thinking to a character traits activity or broader text structure strategies if you are building reading skills across units.
A good Hatchet novel study should keep the survival spark alive. Let students talk, play, debate, and pull evidence from the text. The book can do a lot of heavy lifting if we do not bury it.
Classroom-ready resource
Want the ready-to-use version?
If you want the activity without building it from scratch, this resource is ready to print, share, and use with upper elementary or middle school students.
Grab free no-prep science & social studies resources
Get instant access to review templates, vocabulary posters, gallery walk samples, quick-check activities, and hands-on practice ideas for upper elementary and middle school.
