Save time planning your Hatchet novel study with this ready-to-use Novel Study & Activity Pack for Grades 5–8. This resource includes reading comprehension questions, vocabulary activities, creative response tasks, discussion prompts, final reflection activities, extension tasks, and answer keys.
Students will follow Brian’s survival journey as they explore key themes such as resilience, independence, problem-solving, courage, hope, fear, patience, and learning from mistakes.
This pack is designed to support whole-class novel study, small group reading, independent work, literature circles, and homework tasks.
What’s Included
10 reading sets covering the whole novel
Before-reading activities
Reading comprehension questions
Vocabulary activities
Creative response tasks
Teacher-led discussion questions
Final reflection page
Extension activities
Answer key for comprehension questions
Student-friendly worksheets and activity pages
Reading Skills Covered
Identifying key events
Sequencing events
Making inferences
Using evidence from the text
Understanding character development
Exploring theme and symbolism
Tracking emotional change
Analysing tension and turning points
Building vocabulary
Reflecting on the message of the novel
Activity Types Included
Survival Brainstorm
Prediction Chart
Word Map Vocabulary
Character Snapshot
Crash Sequence Comic Strip
4-Square Vocabulary
Survival Ranking Challenge
Mistake → Lesson → New Action Chart
Sentence and Sketch Vocabulary
Fire Changes Everything
Feelings Meter
Letter from New Brian to Old Brian
Rising Tension Graph
Vocabulary Crossword
Two Truths and a Lie
Symbolism Survival Shield
Final Reflection
Extension Activities
Perfect For
Novel study units
Upper elementary and middle school reading
Grades 5–8 classrooms
Literature circles
Whole-class reading
Small group instruction
Homework
Early finishers
Sub plans
Reading response activities
Why Teachers Love It
This Hatchet novel study helps students stay engaged while building comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking, and written response skills. The activities give students a mix of structured reading tasks and creative responses, making the novel easier to teach and more enjoyable to explore.
The resource is organized by reading sets, so teachers can easily assign activities as students move through the novel.
