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Hatchet

Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, about a 13-year-old boy's journey to survive in the wilderness, is as beloved today as it was when it came out in 1987. Our chapter book unit for the book includes vocabulary activities, review questions, and writing prompts to help your students get the most out of this classic novel.
*NOTE: This book unit is in progress. More worksheets will be added.*

Super Teacher Worksheets

Chapters 1–2

Questions for Chapters 1–2  NEW 
Make sure your students are following along with the text by having them complete this packet at the end of reading the first two chapters of Hatchet. These reading comprehension questions include multiple choice and short response questions.
4th through 8th Grades
aQuestions for Chapters 1–2
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Vocabulary Cards: Chapters 1–2  NEW 
These vocabulary cards can be glued together to make flashcards, cut out separately to use for a memory game, or utilized in any other way that works for you. Terms include: initial, altitude, drone, catalog, extension, tundra, stout, hokey, hollow, turbulence, shallow, and impact.
4th through 8th Grades
aVocabulary Cards: Chapters 1–2
Vocabulary Questions: Chapters 1–2  NEW 
Make sure your students understand the vocabulary words from chapters 1 and 2 of the book by having them answer the questions in this printable packet.
4th through 8th Grades
aVocabulary Questions: Chapters 1–2
Vocabulary Matching for Chapters 1–2  NEW 
With this activity, students will match vocabulary words from the first two chapters of Hatchet to their correct definitions.
4th through 8th Grades
aVocabulary Matching for Chapters 1–2
Vocabulary Crossword for Chapters 1–2  NEW 
Use the vocabulary words from the first two chapters of the book to complete this fun crossword puzzle activity. Words include shallow, extension, tundra, turbulence, and more.
4th through 8th Grades
aVocabulary Crossword for Chapters 1–2
Chapters 1–2 Writing Prompt:
Brian's Character  FREE 
Using this printable, students will be prompted to write about the main character from the book Hatchet. Students must identify at least two character traits Brian has shown and support them with evidence from the text.
4th through 8th Grades
aChapters 1–2 Writing Prompt:<br>Brian's Character
Chapters 1–2 Writing Prompt:
Brian's Determination  NEW 
This writing prompt asks students to reflect on Brian's determination, as well as the general theme of determination in this section of the book.
4th through 8th Grades
aChapters 1–2 Writing Prompt:<br>Brian's Determination

Chapters 3–5

Questions for Chapters 3–5  NEW 
Review chapters 3 through 5 with your students with this set of questions. A mix of multiple choice and short answer questions will test your students' understanding and recall of the events that happened in this part of the novel.
4th through 8th Grades
aQuestions for Chapters 3–5
Vocabulary Cards (Chapters 3–5)  NEW 
The vocabulary words for this part of the book Hatchet are: horizon, brush, tender, clammy, remnants, reality, aspen, foul, murky, extensive, and amphibious. Use these cards to review the words and their meanings with your class.
4th through 8th Grades
aVocabulary Cards (Chapters 3–5)
Vocabulary Questions (Chapters 3–5)  NEW 
Use this printable vocabulary worksheet to help your students review the vocabulary words from the chapters. Several questions include direct quotes from the text.
4th through 8th Grades
aVocabulary Questions (Chapters 3–5)
Vocabulary Activity (Chapters 3–5)  NEW 
In this vocabulary activity, students will use the hint and given letters to figure out what the word is supposed to be. They will fill in the missing letters and write the complete word on the line.
4th through 8th Grades
aVocabulary Activity (Chapters 3–5)
Vocabulary Crossword for Chapters 3–5  NEW 
Use this part of the book's vocab words to fill in the spaces on this crossword puzzle. Clues are given for each of the words, and an optional word bank is included.
4th through 8th Grades
aVocabulary Crossword for Chapters 3–5
Chapters 3–5 Writing Prompt:
Brian's Decision-Making Skills  NEW 
This writing prompt for chapters 3 through 5 of Hatchet asks students to reflect on Brian's actions in regard to how they show responsibility and maturity, as well as what they reveal about his decision-making skills. Students will need to use specific examples and evidence from the text in their responses.
4th through 8th Grades
aChapters 3–5 Writing Prompt:<br>Brian's Decision-Making Skills
Chapters 3–5 Writing Prompt:
Challenges in the Wilderness  FREE 
Students are prompted to write about the specific challenges Brian faces in regard to the setting he is in and how he responds to these challenges.
4th through 8th Grades
aChapters 3–5 Writing Prompt:<br>Challenges in the Wilderness
Imagery Hunt  NEW 
Chapters 3 through 5 of Hatchet feature a great deal of imagery. Teach students what it means and have them look for and record examples of it throughout this part of the book.
4th through 8th Grades
aImagery Hunt

Chapters 6–8

Vocabulary Crossword for Chapters 6–8  NEW 
The vocabulary terms for this section of the book include ridge, rivulet, panic, gorge, driftwood, fierce, and more. Use each of them to complete this crossword puzzle. An optional word bank is included on a separate page, if you wish to provide it to students.
4th through 8th Grades
aVocabulary Crossword for Chapters 6–8

See Also:

More Chapter Book Units

Go to this page to find our full catalog of chapter book literacy units. From Charlotte's Web to Wonder there is something for most elementary and middle school reading levels.

Reading Worksheets

Find a variety of reading worksheets, such as reading logs, book report templates, book bingo boards, and even bookmarks on this page.

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