The Call of the Wild
Bibliography
London, Jack. The Call of the Wild. London: Octopus. 1982. Print.
London, Jack. The Call of the Wild. London: Octopus. 1982. Print.
Target Audience
6th Grade
6th Grade
Academic Vocabulary
primitive- of, belonging to, or seeming to come from an early time in the very ancient past
Arctic- of or relating to the North Pole and the area around it
freight- goods that are carried by ships, trains, trucks, or airplanes
aurora borealis- an aurora that occurs in earth’s northern hemisphere
malingerer- one who pretends to be sick or injured in order to avoid doing work
primitive- of, belonging to, or seeming to come from an early time in the very ancient past
Arctic- of or relating to the North Pole and the area around it
freight- goods that are carried by ships, trains, trucks, or airplanes
aurora borealis- an aurora that occurs in earth’s northern hemisphere
malingerer- one who pretends to be sick or injured in order to avoid doing work
Genre
Adventure
Adventure
Summary
This is the story of a dog named Buck who is taken from his happy life in California and sold to postmen and then gold prospectors in Alaska. He battles and defeats, another sled dog named Spitz. The postmen sell Buck to another postman who is not as good to his dogs and makes them pull loads that are heavier than he should.
Buck is later sold to gold miners who are new to prospecting. When they are on their way to their claim they are warned that the ice is thin and could break under the weight of the sled. The humans decide to press on. Buck however knows that the ice is unsafe and refuses. He is saved from the beating from his owner by John Thornton. Thornton cut Buck loose and the miners continued on and were killed by crashing through the ice. Buck has a good life with Thornton but heeds the call within to be wild. However, Buck always returns to Thornton. One day when he is away, a group of Yeehat Indians attacks Thornton’s camp and kills everyone there. Buck comes in and kills the Yeehats. He then follows the “Call of the Wild” and lives free.
This is the story of a dog named Buck who is taken from his happy life in California and sold to postmen and then gold prospectors in Alaska. He battles and defeats, another sled dog named Spitz. The postmen sell Buck to another postman who is not as good to his dogs and makes them pull loads that are heavier than he should.
Buck is later sold to gold miners who are new to prospecting. When they are on their way to their claim they are warned that the ice is thin and could break under the weight of the sled. The humans decide to press on. Buck however knows that the ice is unsafe and refuses. He is saved from the beating from his owner by John Thornton. Thornton cut Buck loose and the miners continued on and were killed by crashing through the ice. Buck has a good life with Thornton but heeds the call within to be wild. However, Buck always returns to Thornton. One day when he is away, a group of Yeehat Indians attacks Thornton’s camp and kills everyone there. Buck comes in and kills the Yeehats. He then follows the “Call of the Wild” and lives free.
Literary Concepts
Setting and Plot
Setting and Plot
Activity
The Alaskan wilderness can be a great example for detailed setting analysis. The setting has a great impact in this novel.
The Alaskan wilderness can be a great example for detailed setting analysis. The setting has a great impact in this novel.
Assessment
Students can complete a group project to show how if the setting was different the story would have been impacted.
Students can complete a group project to show how if the setting was different the story would have been impacted.
Integration
Social Studies: The Alaskan Gold Rush would be a natural companion to this unit.
Math: Buck is stolen by a man who was paid $100 dollars for him. By what percent did Buck’s worth increase as he was sold and then won bets in Alaska?
Social Studies: The Alaskan Gold Rush would be a natural companion to this unit.
Math: Buck is stolen by a man who was paid $100 dollars for him. By what percent did Buck’s worth increase as he was sold and then won bets in Alaska?