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Chapters 23-25

The Journey Home • Blizzard • A Leap of Faith
ELA Focus: Problem and Solution

Watch how Alex and his friends face PROBLEMS and find clever SOLUTIONS to survive!

Day 1: Chapter 23 - The Journey Home

Chapter 23 Problem and Solution Focus:

PROBLEMS in Chapter 23:

  • Armed men are chasing them with weapons
  • Sekun-ak can't swim well in the cold river
  • Sekun-ak stops breathing and his heart stops
  • They're cold and wet with no fire or shelter
  • A dangerous cat visits them at night

SOLUTIONS in Chapter 23:

  • Jump into the river to escape the men
  • Alex helps him swim to safety
  • Alex uses CPR to bring him back to life
  • Hide in a hollow tree with Monda-ak for warmth
  • Stay very still until the cat leaves them alone

Chapter 23's Most Important Solution

LIFE OR DEATH PROBLEM:

Sekun-ak drowns in the river. His heart stops beating and he's not breathing. Alex thinks his friend is dead.

ALEX'S LIFE-SAVING SOLUTION:

Alex uses CPR - he pushes on Sekun-ak's chest and breathes air into his mouth. After many tries, Sekun-ak's heart starts beating again!

Why is this the most important moment in Chapter 23?

How One Solution Creates Another Problem in Chapter 23

The Problem Chain in Chapter 23:

Problem 1: Armed men want to kill them

Solution 1: Jump in the river to escape

Problem 2: Now they're in freezing water

Solution 2: Swim to the other side

Problem 3: Sekun-ak drowns and dies

Solution 3: Alex uses CPR to save him

Problem 4: Now they're wet and freezing

Solution 4: Hide in hollow tree with Monda-ak

Chapter 23 shows how solving one problem often creates a new one!

How Alex Changes in Chapter 23

Alex shows new leadership skills:

  • Quick thinking: Decides to jump in river to escape
  • Life-saving skills: Uses CPR to bring Sekun-ak back to life
  • Caring for others: Makes sure Sekun-ak gets warm and safe
  • Staying calm: Doesn't panic when things go wrong

Chapter 23 shows Alex becoming a true hero and leader!

Let's Talk About Chapter 23!

Discussion Questions:

  • What would happen if Alex couldn't solve the drowning problem?
  • Why was jumping in the river both a solution AND a new problem?
  • How did Alex show he's becoming a better leader?
  • What problems from Chapter 23 do they still need to solve?
  • How do you think Sekun-ak feels about Alex after being saved?

Day 2: Chapter 24 - Blizzard

Chapter 24 Problem and Solution Focus:

NEW PROBLEMS in Chapter 24:

  • Dangerous snowstorm with strong winds starts
  • They need shelter or they'll freeze to death
  • Giant badger attacks them in the cave
  • They have no food left and are starving

SMART SOLUTIONS in Chapter 24:

  • Find a cave to wait out the dangerous storm
  • Fight the badger together as a team
  • Build a fire for warmth and protection
  • Use the badger meat to feed Monda-ak

Important Words from Chapter 24

New vocabulary words we'll use in questions:

  • blizzard: a dangerous snowstorm with strong winds
  • hypothermia: when your body gets dangerously cold
  • shelter: a safe place that protects you from bad weather
  • makeshift: something built quickly from whatever you can find
  • ferocity: wild, fierce fighting or attacking
  • cordage: string or rope used to tie things together

Beginning and Ending Word Parts

Beginning parts (prefixes) from Chapter 24:

  • un-successful = not successful (didn't work)
  • un-nerving = not calming (scary)
  • re-evaluated = thought about again

Ending parts (suffixes) from Chapter 24:

  • motion-less = without motion (not moving)
  • hope-less = without hope
  • danger-ous = full of danger

Types of Words from Chapter 24

Examples from the badger fight:

  • Noun (naming words): badger, cave, snow, claws, Alex
  • Verb (action words): attacked, fought, grabbed, bit, escaped
  • Adjective (describing words): giant, sharp, fierce, brave, dangerous
  • Adverb (words that tell how): suddenly, violently, carefully, desperately

Action words help us feel the excitement of the fight!

The Badger Fight - Working Together

SCARY PROBLEM:

A giant badger attacks them in the cave! It has sharp claws and teeth and fights with wild anger.

TEAMWORK SOLUTION:

Monda-ak grabs the badger, Sekun-ak stabs it with his spear, and Alex hits it from above. Working together, they win!

How does this fight show they're becoming a real team?

Making Fire - An Important Solution

How Sekun-ak solves the warmth problem:

  • Gathers materials: Dry sticks, pine needles, sticky tree sap
  • Uses tools: Makes a fire bow from wood and vine
  • Creates friction: Rubs stick on wood until it smokes
  • Builds the fire: Blows gently until flames start

Fire gives them warmth, light, and protection from animals!

Day 3: Chapter 25 - A Leap of Faith

Chapter 25 Problem and Solution Focus:

FINAL BIG PROBLEMS in Chapter 25:

  • Tall hills with a dangerous waterfall block their path home
  • Going around the hills would take too many days
  • The waterfall drop looks very scary and dangerous
  • They might die if they jump off the waterfall

BRAVE SOLUTIONS in Chapter 25:

  • Alex decides they must take the risk and jump
  • He goes first to prove it can be done safely
  • Sekun-ak follows because he trusts Alex now
  • They both survive and see landmarks near home!

Alex's Biggest Leadership Decision

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE:

Go around the hills (safe but takes too long) OR jump off the waterfall (dangerous but gets them home fast).

ALEX'S LEADERSHIP:

Alex chooses the dangerous jump because getting home quickly is more important than staying safe. He goes first to show Sekun-ak it can be done.

How does this show Alex has become a real leader?

How Chapter 25 Shows Trust

Sekun-ak's change of heart:

  • At first: "I will not do it" - refuses to jump
  • Alex's action: Steps into the river first to show the way
  • Sekun-ak's response: Follows Alex because he trusts him now
  • Result: They both survive and work as a real team

Saving Sekun-ak's life in Chapter 23 built the trust needed for Chapter 25!

How the Author Makes the Jump Exciting

Writing methods that create excitement:

  • Action words: "tumbled," "smashed," "flip-flopped," "surged"
  • Body feelings: "stomach flip-flopped like a rollercoaster"
  • Fear details: "pinwheel out of control"
  • Relief moment: "When he surfaced" shows they survived

The author makes us feel like we're falling too!

Finally - Hope and Home!

THE BEST SOLUTION OF ALL:

Sekun-ak sees Gakan Gate and knows exactly where they are. They're only one day away from home and safety!

Why this ending gives us hope:

  • All their problem-solving worked
  • They survived every dangerous challenge
  • They're almost back to their people
  • Alex proved he's a true hero and leader
  • Sekun-ak and Alex are now real friends and partners

Day 4: Writing Workshop

Today you'll write about PROBLEM AND SOLUTION:

For Life Skills LA students:

What is the biggest problem Alex faces in these three chapters, and how does he solve it? Use details from the story to support your answer.

For Language Arts 1-4 SC students, you'll also write:

How does solving problems change Alex as a person? Use details from the story to support your answer.

How to Organize Your Writing

Follow this pattern:

  1. Topic Sentence: Clear answer about the main problem and solution
  2. Supporting Detail 1: First example from the story with explanation
  3. Supporting Detail 2: Second example from the story with explanation
  4. Supporting Detail 3: Third example from the story with explanation
  5. Conclusion: Wrap up why this problem and solution matters

Tips for Great Problem and Solution Writing

Make your writing stronger:

  • Show the problem clearly: Explain why it was dangerous or difficult
  • Explain the solution steps: Tell exactly what Alex did to solve it
  • Use connecting words: "The problem was," "Alex solved this by," "This worked because"
  • Give specific details: Quote exact actions from the chapters
  • Check your work: Read it aloud to make sure it makes sense

Show how Alex became a problem-solving hero!