The students will engage in an activity through which they will learn the definition of perseverance, how the characters in the novel demonstrated this quality, and write about a time in their lives when they have shown perseverance.

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• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
• construction paper
• pens/pencils of choice
• writing journal or lined paper

1. Begin the lesson: “Boys and girls, we have just finished reading the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.  We have discussed how this is a book about survival.  In the novel, the main character, Brian Robeson, exhibits the character trait of PERSEVERANCE.”
2. Have students tell what they think perseverance is. Have a student look up the word in a dictionary and share with the class.
3. Have the students brainstorm events in the novel during which Brian exhibited perseverance.  Teacher records the events on board.
4. Distribute a paper “hatchet” to each student. Each student should finish this sentence: “Brian demonstrated perseverance when…” on the “handle” of the hatchet. The student should then illustrate their sentence on the “blade” part of the hatchet.The hatchets should be displayed on a bulletin board which has this title: PERSEVERANCE MEANS NEVER GIVING UP.
5. Come together as a class and have students share their work.