🌲🥾🌿 On May 2, Weaverville Elementary’s fourth graders turned the pages of “Hatchet” into hands-on adventure at Bailey Mountain Preserve.
With guidance from Mountain Roots staff, 103 students immersed themselves in wilderness survival skills inspired by the novel’s resilient young hero, Brian Robeson. In trail teams, students practiced shelter building, water purification, fire preparation, and adopted the S.T.O.P. (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan) mindset, all while reflecting on the emotional and practical lessons Brian learned in the wild.
“These hands-on projects not only reinforce the novel's themes but also provide practical skills applicable in real-world scenarios,” said fourth grade teacher Shelley Graham. “Much like Brian’s journey, our students discovered strengths they never knew they had and returned with memories and lessons that will last a lifetime.”
This outdoor classroom fostered collaboration, resilience, and real-world application of literature, showing that sometimes, the best way to connect with a book is to step right into the story.
