Are you ready for a heart-pounding adventure in the great outdoors? I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967, by Lauren Tarshis, is a gripping novel that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.
Based on the true story of two deadly grizzly bear attacks in Glacier National Park in 1967, this book tells the story of eleven-year-old Mel and her friend. They set out on a camping trip in the park. But when they encounter not one, but two grizzly bears, their adventure takes a dangerous turn.
Will Mel and her friend survive the grizzly bear attacks and make it out of the park alive? Join Mel on her journey of survival and find out in this thrilling book that is sure to captivate readers of all ages.
I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 Teaching Activities
Book Unit Samples
You will find the following in this novel study sample:
- Vocabulary Practice
- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 1-2
- Constructed Response Question for Chapters 1-2
Teaching Idea #1 – Lauren Tarshis’s Website
Lauren Tarshis’s website contains additional teaching resources. For I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, the author offers a comprehension check. This check asks one knowledge-level question for each chapter. Novel activities include a printable with figurative language, compare and contrast, sequencing, letter writing, recalling information, inferences, and cause and effect. You can also print a two-page quiz.
Teaching Idea #2 – Michigan Girl Survived Bear Attack
Watch this news segment from ABC News of a 12-year-old girl who survives a bear attack near her home in Michigan.
Teaching Idea #3 – Scholastic Book Trailer
Watch the book trailer to build interest in the book before reading. This trailer makes a great hook activity for your novel study.
Teaching Idea #4 – The Attack of the Grizzlies Historical Account
This one-page article about the grizzly attacks is an ideal way for students to compare and contrast an actual event to a fictional account. The article comes with comprehension questions.
While the characters and specific events in the book are fictional, the overall story is based on real-life events. It accurately portrays the dangers of grizzly bear encounters in the wild. Overall, the book is valuable tool to learn about wildlife conservation and safety in the outdoors.
You can read the full comparison in the handout.
Teaching Idea #5 – Learning about Grizzlies
The handout above also contains a passage that provides facts about grizzly bears. Following the passage, you will find comprehension questions and an answer key.
After students learn about grizzly bears and their behavior, they can create a report or a poster that highlights what they learned. This will help students understand more about the animals and the potential dangers they can pose.
Teaching Idea #6 – Mapping Skills
Have students create a map of Glacier National Park, where the story takes place. They can also include key locations from the book, such as the Granite Park Chalet, the Trout Lake Trail, and the Many Glacier Hotel.
See the product that inspired this post.
I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 Novel Study: Printable + Digital contains graphic organizers for an interactive notebook. Vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and skill practice are all included. In addition to the printables, many paperless options are provided. Activities for Google Slides include writing and skill practice. Boom Learning Decks make this an interactive unit.
