Teaching Hatchet

Instructions for You

Objective: Feeling lonely after reading Hatchet? You're not alone. See, Paulsen wants you to think about loneliness and isolation because we all feel that way sometimes. That's probably why so many other authors have tackled the theme, too—it's part of the human experience.

For this activity, students will collect quotes from Hatchet that deal specifically with isolation. They will then find a quote from another book (don't worry—we have the quote hook-up) and try to apply it to Brian and his situation. Remember, you don't have to be stranded on a desert island or in the Canadian Wilderness to feel alone. Isolation can be a social thing, not just a physical thing.

Materials Needed: Copies of Hatchet; access to the Internet in order to scope out isolation quotes in other books; notecards

Step 1: Begin by opening a discussion about why so many authors tackle the topic of isolation and how they do so. Questions to consider with your students include:

• What are some other books that deal with this topic?
• What kinds of isolation are there (physical, emotional)?
• Why do you think this theme is so common?
• What things do people who feel/are isolated have in common? How might they be different from one another?

Step 2: Now it's time to go digging for quotes. Divide the class into pairs and give them each a section of the book to skim, detective style. Their target? Quotes that deal with loneliness and isolation. As they go, they'll write down the quotes—with citations, of course—so they can refer to them later on.

When they finish, they can compare their findings as a class with those on our list. At this point ask them to consider the following:

• Did Shmoop include any quotes that you didn't find?
• Did you find some awesome examples not listed by Shmoop?

Step 3: Pass out a notecard to each student (or pair of students—your choice). Have students peruse this link to all things isolated-related on our site, looking specifically for a quote from a book they have read. If they can't find this, though, they can choose any quote that's brimming with loneliness.

Step 4: Once students have their quotes, they should copy them on the top line of their notecard, making sure to include the book it comes from. Ask them to draw a line down the center of the card. Label the left side, "I think this quote means..." And label the right side, "This quote could help Brian when..."

In a sentence or two, on the left side each student should write their interpretation of the quote. If they have read the book it's from, they can even make a connection to that story, though it's not necessary. On the right side, in a few sentences, they should explain when and why this quote connects to Brian.

On the back of their notecards, students should note one thing that's different about their quote from the quotes you've all found from Hatchet.

Step 5: Either as a whole class or in small groups, have your students share their findings. Encourage them to ask each other questions, keeping the following in mind:

• What strikes you as similar between the non-Hatchet quotes and the Hatchet quotes?
• What do you notice about situations in which isolation occurs? Similarities? Differences?

Instructions for Your Students

Objective: Feeling lonely after reading Hatchet? You're not alone. See, Paulsen wants you to think about loneliness and isolation because we all feel that way sometimes. That's probably why so many other authors have tackled the theme, too—it's part of the human experience.

For this activity, you will collect quotes from Hatchet that deal specifically with isolation. You will then find a quote from another book (don't worry—we have the quote hook-up) and try to apply it to Brian and his situation. Remember, you don't have to be stranded on a desert island or in the Canadian Wilderness to feel alone. Isolation can be a social thing, not just a physical thing.

Step 1: You'll start by talking with your class about why loneliness and isolation are such popular topics in literature (particular YA lit—seriously, John Green would be out of business otherwise). You might be asked some of the following questions:

• What are some other books that deal with this topic?
• What kinds of isolation are there (physical, emotional)?
• Why do you think this theme is so common?
• What things do people who feel/are isolated have in common? How might they be different from one another?

Step 2: Now it's time to go digging for quotes. You and a partner will be given a section of the book to skim, detective style. Your target? Quotes that deal with loneliness and isolation. As you go, write down the quotes—with citations, of course—so you can refer to them later on.

When they finish, you'll compare your findings as a class with those on our list. At this point, consider the following:

• Did Shmoop include any quotes that you didn't find?
• Did you find some awesome examples not listed by Shmoop?

Step 3: At this point, you should have a notecard in hand thanks to your lovely teacher. Surf around this site to explore all things isolation-related, looking specifically for a quote from a book you have read. If you can't find this, though, you can choose any quote that's brimming with loneliness.

Step 4: Once you've chosen your quote, you should copy it on the top line of your notecard, making sure to include the book it comes from. Then draw a line down the center of the card. Label the left side, "I think this quote means..." And label the right side, "This quote could help Brian when..."

In a sentence or two, on the left side write your interpretation of the quote. If you have read the book it's from, you can even make a connection to that story, though it's not necessary. On the right side, in a few sentences, explain when and why this quote connects to Brian.

On the back of your notecard, note one thing that's different about your quote from the quotes you've all found from Hatchet.

Step 5: To wrap it up, either as a whole class or in small groups, you'll share your findings. Warning: You may be asked one of the following questions:

• What strikes you as similar between the non-Hatchet quotes and the Hatchet quotes?
• What do you notice about situations in which isolation occurs? Similarities? Differences?