Welcome to Buddy Project: The Next Generation of Teaching and Learning

• site map
• about us
• contact

• entire sitebackpackscaperslesson plans

Family Literacy Backpacks

Family fun and learning are promoted through take-home, theme-focused backpacks. Ideas for materials and activities which can be included in these great backpacks are provided.

Survival

Caution: Before using these materials for student activities and backpacks, check all weblinks to ensure they are active and appropriate for student and family use. Visit our template and help page which explains how to download a template then copy activities from this website to create your own, unique backpack. If you use these materials, please give appropriate credit to the authoring schools. Thank you!

Avilla Elementary-Middle School

East Noble School Corp
Avilla, IN

Download Files:

Activity File Resource File

Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free program, is required to view these files.

English/Language Arts Academic Standards

Reading Comprehension

Reading Vocabulary

Family Activities

Family Fun Ideas

• Create a list of books in the journal that you would recommend be added to the pack!
• As you learn and gather information about survival skills, keep track of it in a database.
• Discuss what you would do if you were lost somewhere!
• Write about your favorite part of the backpack.

The War of the Worlds Book Activities

• Find the audio version of The War of the Worlds and listen to it with the family.
• Make a tape of your own version of an alien landing on Earth. Use voices, sound effects, and ask your friends to help with this activity.
• Journal: What are your thoughts about extraterrestrial life? Does it exist? Why or why not?
• What is Orson Welles famous for other than The War of the Worlds?
• Write a biographical piece about him.

Hatchet Book Activities

• Join a boy/girl scout troop or 4-H to learn survival techniques of your own.
• Read other books written by Gary Paulen.
• Journal: If you were lost like Brian, what would your parents do to find you? Share your thoughts with them!
• Brian's dad works in oil fields in Canada. How do oil companies get oil from the ground? Do some investigating about oil production, companies, and
  transport.
• Learn more about the author by going to www.yahooligans.com and using the keywords: Gary Paulsen.

Tarzan Book Activities

• You've seen the movie, how is the book the same or different?
• Make a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the movie and the book.
• Watch the original video version of Tarzan of the Apes.
• Discuss the changes in technology.
• What are the differences between apes, gorillas, monkeys, and orangutans?
• Do some investigating and make a chart showing their characteristics.
• Journal: If you could be raised by a group of animals, what would they be? What ways of life would they teach you?

Tarzan Video Activities

• Pop some popcorn and watch the video with your family.
• Discuss with a family member what some of the reasons were that stopped Kerchak from accepting Tarzan.
• Look at a map of the world. How many miles separate the African jungle and Indiana? How is the weather different? Vegetation? Animal life?
• Journal: What is the best survival habit Tarzan possesses that keeps him alive in the African jungle?
• Why do you think this habit is important?

Antarctic Book Activities

• After reading the book, make a chart showing all the characteristics of the Antarctic.
• How many ways is it different than living in a jungle?
• Make two suitcases out of white poster board:
  1. Divide and cut in half.
  2. Cut two handles from brown paper sack.
  3. Attach to the poster board.
• In one suitcase draw or cut magazine pictures of all the materials you'd take to the Antarctic for a week long stay. In the other suitcase, place all the materials you'd take to the jungle.
• Journal: Make a note of one idea you remember the most from reading this book.

Robinson Crusoe Book Activities

• Take some time before beginning the story to look through the illustrations and photos. Make predictions of what happens in the story, then begin!
• Timothy of the Cay and its sequel, The Cay, are also deserted island survival stories. Try them.
• Journal: How would you react if you were deserted on an island?
• Using a world map, find Crusoe's desert island. How many miles separate this island and Indiana? Use latitude and longitude lines to pinpoint the location.
• (regional map on pp. 60-61.) On pages 62-63, there is
  biographical information about Daniel Defoe, the author of Robinson Crusoe. What is the best thing in his life? The worst? Would you have liked his lifestyle? Why or why not? Discuss your thoughts with family member.

Books to Include

Antarctic Adventure By Meredith Hooper - Ages 8-12 Hatchet By Gary Paulsen - Ages 10 and up Robinson Crusoe By Daniel Defoe - Ages 8-12 Tarzan of the Apes By Robin Moore - Ages 8-12 The War of the Worlds By H. G. Wells - Ages 8-12

Web Sites for Fun

Yahoo! Kids http://kids.yahoo.com/ Learn more about the authors of the books when visiting this site.

List of Additional Resources

Puzzles & Games

Journal for all ages

Videos

Tarzan (rated G) By Walt Disney

Resource Link

If you are thinking of creating a literacy backpack for outdoors, here are suggested resources you can include in your backpack: outdoors resources.