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This comprehensive, curriculum-aligned literacy unit is based on Guts: The True Stories Behind the Hatchet and the Brian Books by Gary Paulsen. It is designed for students working at Level 3–4 of the New Zealand Curriculum, making it ideal for Upper Primary and Intermediate learners (typically Years 4–8). It is also easily adaptable for international equivalents (Years 4–6 / Grades 3–6).

What’s Included:

6 Thematic Chapters, each with:

3 structured lessons per chapter (18 total)
Big questions and guiding prompts
Vocabulary deep dives (definitions, decoding, usage)
Sentence fluency and grammar practice
Reading strategies: inference, visualising, comparing, drawing conclusions
Literal and inferential comprehension questions

Writing Activities:

Journal entries
Survival guides
Creative stories and poems
Menus and safety posters

Independent Study Tasks:

Art and design (posters, comics, diagrams)
Oral language (recorded reflections, role plays)
Research and comparison charts
Vocabulary games and word cards

Teacher Support Materials:

Answer keys and exemplar responses
Cross-references to Hatchet chapters
Editable templates for writing and vocabulary tasks

Digital & Print-Ready Format:

Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Canva compatible
Printable for unplugged or hybrid learning
Works in 1:1 device classrooms or traditional settings

Student Engagement Hooks:

Real-life survival stories that connect to student interests
Creative writing prompts and role-play scenarios
Humor and vivid imagery to spark imagination

Available Formats:

PDF – 234 professional designed slides for explicit teaching
Word (DOCX) – Teacher guide overview with glossary and answer key
PowerPoint (PPTX) – Lesson presentations converted from each lesson