Let’s be honest: Is there any book that grips a middle school reader quite like Hatchet by Gary Paulsen?
There is something about Brian Robeson’s journey—alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a windbreaker and a hatchet—that resonates deeply with students. It’s the ultimate story of resilience, problem-solving, and growing up.
But as teachers, we sometimes fall into the trap of “death by chapter questions.” We love the book so much that we analyze it to pieces until the excitement fades. How do we keep that survival spark alive? How do we assess their understanding without making it feel like a chore?
If you are looking to breathe some fresh air into your unit, here are three of my favorite strategies for teaching Hatchet!
1. The Ultimate Hatchet Board Game Review
Gamification is one of the best ways to get students engaged, especially when reviewing plot details and literary elements. Instead of a boring study guide, I love turning review day into game day.
I recently started using this Hatchet Board Game Review, and my students absolutely beg to play it.
Here is why it’s a winner: It takes the pressure off “testing” and turns it into a competitive, collaborative experience. The game includes 30 multiple-choice question cards that cover everything from key plot points to character development.
What makes it brilliant is that the movement is built right into the cards (e.g., “Correct! Move ahead 2 spaces” or “Incorrect! Go back 1 space”). It’s completely no-prep for you—just print the board and cards, and you are ready to go. It works perfectly for literacy centers or small group work, allowing you to circulate and hear the rich discussions happening as they debate the answers.
You can grab the Hatchet Board Game Review here!
2. The “Survival Kit” Challenge
This is a classic activity, but with a twist. After reading about Brian’s struggles, challenge your students to think critically about preparedness.
The Task: Tell students they are going on a solo trip to the Canadian wilderness. They can only bring 5 items that can fit in a standard backpack.
- They must list their items and write a paragraph justifying why they chose them based on what they learned from Brian’s mistakes and successes.
- The Twist: Have them rank their items from “Most Critical” to “Least Critical” and then—surprise!—tell them they lost their backpack and only saved the bottom two items. How would they survive now?
It forces them to apply the survival themes of the book to their own decision-making.
3. Sensory Imagery “Nature Walk”
Gary Paulsen’s writing is famous for its sensory details—the buzzing mosquitoes, the smell of the campfire, the taste of the gut cherries.
Take your class outside (or just use a quiet corner of the school) and have them sit silently for 5 minutes.
- The Goal: They must write a descriptive paragraph about their setting using only sensory imagery (sight, sound, smell, touch).
- Afterwards, have them compare their “safe” environment to Brian’s harsh reality. It helps them appreciate the vivid language Paulsen uses to build the setting.
Surviving the Unit
Whether you are playing board games, packing imaginary survival kits, or writing descriptive imagery, the goal is to help students walk in Brian’s shoes. When they connect with his struggle, the reading becomes real.