I did Hatchet last year with my 6th graders as a whole class novel.
Some of them had read it already, but I'd say they got lots out of a
deeper rereading of the text. It's really nearly impossible (unless
you select a novel that had just recently come to print) to find a
novel that no one has read. I like cavey/kim's suggestion to read a
companion novel of Paulsen's, but I think rereading Hatchet is also a
viable choice for you.

RD (with her two cents)

On 7/04/09, judy3ca wrote:
> cavey, I actually meant to use it as a whole-class shared novel. Do
> you mean I should have a small group doing something else while I
> read with a big group? Right now I'm thinking read/reread Hatchet
> whole group and then some kids can choose other Paulsen works in IR
> or when I get to small book groups. So, for me, the choice really is
> Hatchet or trying to find another book no one has read. But then I
> wondered, how could I possibly find a book NO ONE has read? And how
> would I know?
>
> Kim, I like the idea of doing a demo lesson (whether with Hatchet or
> another book) where I pick up the book, think aloud 'wait, I read
> this last year,' but then become completely engrossed again and show
> the kids how my understanding deepens with a second reading. Are we
> on the same page?
>
> Judy
>
>
> n 7/04/09, Kim1ca wrote:
>> I think re-reading is a good thing for fifth graders, especially
>> for those who may not comprehend text as well as you would like.
>> If there is room for improvement in their mosaic of thought,
>> then rereading this classic and rich text will surely take them
>> to the next level.
>>
>> You can set the tone by sharing your own experiences of
>> rereading an old favorite and then make sure they know, not
>> publicly of course, that you are looking forward to
>> their "deeper insights."
>>
>> Just a thought.
>>
>> :-)K

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