Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen is a book that will never leave you. Rooted in powerful themes like redemption, resilience, and a deep respect for both nature and culture, this novel provides a rich launching point for impactful, hands-on project-based learning. Join us as we jump into 6 Hands-On Projects to Teach Touching Spirit Bear Novel.
Touching Spirit Bear: Middle School Novel
As I was researching middle school novels, I was specifically looking for stories that touched on anger, the act of working through feelings, and a book with deep emotional themes, something that middle school students desperately need. As students face a time in their lives when they are more emotional due to their ever-growing and evolving minds, I knew I wanted to choose a story that would help middle school students safely work through that. Reading is truly a gift because children can explore narratives that allow them to self-regulate and grapple with their emotions while connecting with a character’s journey.
Touching Spirit Bear Novel: Emotional and Mental Transformation
Touching Spirit Bear does just that. It’s a story about a young boy going through an emotional and mental transformation as he works through abuse, shame, anger, aggression, and self-hatred. Through a life-changing journey, he learns self-control, self-regulation, and responsibility, all while surviving a bear attack and subsequently facing his fear of what has emotionally and physically challenged him.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
In his Nautilus Award-winning classic Touching Spirit Bear, author Ben Mikaelson delivers a powerful coming-of-age story of a boy who must overcome the effects that violence has had on his life. After severely injuring Peter Driscal in an empty parking lot, mischief-maker Cole Matthews is in major trouble. But instead of jail time, Cole is given another option: attend Circle Justice, an alternative program that sends juvenile offenders to a remote Alaskan Island to focus on changing their ways.
Desperate to avoid prison, Cole fakes humility and agrees to go. While there, Cole is mauled by a mysterious white bear and left for dead. Thoughts of his abusive parents, helpless Peter, and his own anger cause him to examine his actions and seek redemption—from the spirit bear that attacked him, from his victims, and, most importantly, from himself.
Ben Mikaelsen paints a vivid picture of a juvenile offender, examining the roots of his anger without absolving him of responsibility for his actions, and questioning a society in which angry people make victims of their peers and communities. Touching Spirit Bear is a poignant testimonial to the power of a pain that can destroy, or lead to healing.
Touching Spirit Bear: Cole, the Main Character
Cole, the main character, learns to heal through hands-on work. From building his own shelter to carving a large totem pole, from taking strenuous hikes to cold-plunging in Alaskan ponds, Cole learns how to mentally heal and connect to his emotions through active work. Touching Spirit Bear is the perfect novel to utilize project-based learning. Students can connect to Cole and the plot of this book in deeper ways while completing research and participating in some of the very activities Cole completed himself.
#1 Teaching Survival Skills Through Touching Spirit Bear Novel: A Research-Based Project Idea
Ben Mikaelsen does an outstanding job of describing the raw reality of a bear attack. The specific scenes surrounding the attack and Cole’s desperate, instinctual need to survive are the very chapters that students remember the most, including me.
Bringing the Wild Into the Classroom
After reading those particular chapters, you may find your students wondering about various bears that live locally and what they need to know to survive a bear attack. They will start discussing what Cole should have known to avoid a bear attack or what he could have done differently to prevent one. The novel’s setting of Alaska allows students to think about what’s beyond the four walls of the classroom. It allows them to learn about nature and animals.
Touching Spirit Bear Research Project on Bear Attack Survival
Task students with researching how to survive various bear attacks, from a spirit bear (like what attacked Cole), to various bears they may find in their own states. Researching bears and how to survive their attacks is not only fascinating, but it connects science to literature, and connects the students to Cole.
Students can research and create presentations with their findings, whether digitally or through a poster board. This project will enthrall students and get them excited about their novel in an interesting and unique way.
*If you are interested in this full project that includes requirements, research pages, and a rubric, (along with 15 other hands-on projects/activities), grab our Touching Spirit Bear Project-Based Learning Unit.“
#2 Touching Spirit Bear Theme Illustration
This novel is the perfect foundation for theme exploration. Its plot line contains so many deep messages of redemption, healing, strength through adversity, survivalism, forgiveness, a strong connection to nature and Indigenous culture, and many more examples. Students have a plethora of themes they can connect to and reflect upon in Touching Spirit Bear.
In a Theme Illustration Activity, students use text-based evidence to identify and examine various themes of the novel. Next, they zoom in on one theme to analyze. Just as traditional Native Americans told stories and taught lessons through symbolic artwork, students will connect to the Tlingit people of the book by illustrating a theme through a painting, a drawing, or digital artwork. The illustration should have symbolic colors, animals, patterns, and shapes. All of these are full of meaning that demonstrate and depict the chosen theme the student is analyzing.
Interested in this full 2-Part Theme Illustration Activity? Grab it here in our Touching Spirit Bear unit.
#3 Touching Spirit Bear At.Oow Blanket
In Touching Spirit Bear, the at.óow blanket is a powerful symbol of trust, tradition, and healing. Garvey, Cole’s probation officer, who is of Native American heritage, gives the blanket to Cole at the beginning of his journey, explaining that in Tlingit culture, an at.óow is a special item passed down from one person to another as a gift of protection and responsibility.
Teaches Trust, Healing, and Transformation
Even though Cole initially doesn’t understand its meaning, the blanket becomes a steady presence throughout his time on the island. It’s something soft, warm, and constant, unlike the rage and chaos that Cole feels inside. The at.óow shows Cole that someone believes in his potential to change, even when he doesn’t believe it himself. As Cole begins to grow and change, the at.óow takes on a deeper meaning. It comes to represent Cole’s journey of transformation.
Make an At.óow Quilt to Symbolize Cole’s Emotional Journey
Students can create their own at.oow blankets through the use of craft supplies. Give students a purpose for their blanket as well. They must add patterns, meaningful symbols and colors, and Native American artwork to symbolize various themes of the novel as well as Cole’s emotional journey. Join each student’s at.oow blanket together to form one large class at.oow. Homeschool students could even sew their own quilt squares, or home economics classes could use this as a project.
Hands-On Activity with Template, Rubric, and Research Included
We have created an at.oow project in our Touching Spirit Bear Unit. Students draw and/or write about Cole’s journey, major themes, powerful quotes, and connections with the novel on our at.oow provided template. This project includes requirements, research, a template, and a rubric as well.
#4 Touching Spirit Bear: Setting Project
The setting plays a major role in the novel. Cole is banished to an Alaskan island, not once, but twice. He must survive and learn to live with the weather, terrain, and animals, specifically the spirit bear, which almost killed him. Students learn a lot about Alaska through the novel, but could learn even more through a setting exploration project.
Connect Middle School Students to Alaska’s Wild Terrain
Task students with researching Alaska, from the geography to the weather, from the animals to the islands and Native peoples, and then they create a presentation based on their findings. Students can put themselves into Cole’s shoes by learning all about the location of his punishment and the elements he must face to survive. This project also hits setting analysis, research, technology, geography, social studies standards, and more.
Interested in this project? It is in our full unit. It comes with requirements, research pages, a list of websites, and a rubric. Grab it here.
#5 Alaskan Island Shoebox Diorama
Students can further explore the specific setting of Cole’s Alaskan camp set-up by synthesizing an island shoebox diorama. Students can use a variety of elements to recreate the description of Cole’s Alaskan “home.” Give students a list of options to utilize, such as natural elements like sand, rocks, grass, hay, etc., or LEGO blocks, 3-D printed items, or craft materials. Give students a specific list of what must be included, such as Cole’s shelter, the soaking pond, the fire where he dances, Alaskan animals, etc., and have them create a diorama of the setting.
Textual Evidence and Inferences
By creating an island shoebox diorama, students are able to cite textual evidence and draw inferences (the setting’s descriptions) in a hands-on way. Students can interpret text details and translate them into a visual model, and use their creativity and innovation to represent key features of the setting. There truly is magic in a simple shoebox diorama!
This full project can be found in our Touching Spirit Bear Unit. It comes with requirements, research pages, a planning sheet, and a rubric. Grab it here!
#6 Touching Spirit Bear Circle Justice: Tlingit Culture
The Tlingit Native American culture is referenced often in the novel. The Tlingit Native Americans live in southeastern Alaska, the setting of Touching Spirit Bear. In the novel, Edwin is a Tlingit elder who helps Cole tremendously overcome his anger through a variety of Tlingit traditions and customs, such as circle justice. The Tlingit people’s lifestyle is heavily influenced by the environment of southeastern Alaska, from what they eat and how they live. The Tlingit way of life helps Cole heal and transform.
Tlingit Native American People Infographic
Task students with researching all about the Tlingit Native American people and then creating an infographic about them. An infographic presents information in a clear, visual way and makes the information visually appealing and exciting to view and learn. It is a wonderful alternative to a standard presentation.
Infographic Academic Standards
This Tlingit Infographic Research Project aligns with a broad range of academic standards in English Language Arts, Social Studies, Technology/Media Literacy, and Visual Communication. It encourages students to deepen their understanding of Indigenous cultures, develop research skills, and present complex information in a clear and engaging way.
This full project is included in our Touching Spirit Bear unit. It includes requirements, infographic examples, research pages, infographic planning sheet, infographic template, and rubric.
Bonus: Touching Spirit Bear Totem Pole Creation
In Touching Spirit Bear, Cole carved a totem pole while on the Alaskan island on his second go-around. Carving the totem pole was an outlet for him. He worked with his hands and his mind to create distinct images. Each item he carved was a connection to nature. Whether it was an animal he observed or an animal/item he connected with on a deeper level. By carving a totem pole, Cole also paid homage to the Tlingit culture. Cole’s totem pole told the story of his time on the island and his healing.
Middle School Students Explore Symbolism
A hands-on way for students to connect with Cole and the Tlingit people of Alaska is to create a totem pole. They can replicate the one found in the novel or create one of their own that symbolizes Cole’s journey. Just like Cole accomplished this major project and gained confidence, students will also gain that and so much more.
Materials for Creating Touching Spirit Bear Totem Pole
When tasking your class with creating a totem pole, give a variety of options. Students can choose based on their distinct interests and abilities. They can use craft materials to make a totem pole from a Pringles can or build one from LEGO blocks. They can even craft one using paper towel rolls, mold one from clay, or even carve one using Ivory soap. Allow students to also record the symbolism of each animal they carve through writing.
Grab this full project in our PBL unit. It includes requirements, a planning guide, and symbolism sheets for Cole’s totem pole or a student’s creation. A rubric is also included.
Conclusion
Touching Spirit Bear is more than just a novel. It’s a transformative journey that allows students to walk alongside a character battling deep emotional wounds and who emerges stronger, wiser, and more self-aware.
With powerful themes of redemption, resilience, and respect for nature and culture, this book creates the perfect foundation for meaningful project-based learning. When students engage with literature through hands-on projects, whether they’re building dioramas, researching Indigenous cultures, or creating symbolic artwork, they connect more deeply to the story and, more importantly, to themselves. These experiences help them reflect, grow, and begin to understand that healing, like learning, is an active process.
If you’re looking to help your students make powerful personal connections through literature, Touching Spirit Bear novel, and these thoughtfully crafted projects offer a path worth taking.
