Maker Comics: Survive in the Outdoors!
Maker Comics Series
on Goodreads (100)
What’s inside...
Sophia and Alonso are sent to their grandpa's for a fishing trip and dread spending a day without cell service in the woods. However, their grandpa enlightens them about the wonders and dangers of the outdoors, including tick bites and hypothermia. When a sprained ankle delays their return, they must learn forest-friendly first aid and how to safely spend a night in the woods without a tent. This volume of Maker Comics provides step-by-step instructions for projects to help survive in the wild, such as building a campfire, catching and cleaning a fish, and making a shelter, equipping readers with essential survival skills for outdoor adventures.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-13
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What survival skills did you learn from this book that you didn't know before?
If you were in a similar outdoor situation, which character would you be most like and why?
How do you think teamwork and problem-solving helped the characters in the book?
What's one new thing you would like to try outdoors after reading this book?
How do you think the skills from the book could help us on our next family camping trip?
Tip: Role play these questions
Share a personal story where you used a survival skill, emphasizing the real-life applicability of the book’s content.
Ask open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer to encourage deeper thinking and conversation.
Plan an outdoor activity that ties into the survival themes of the book, such as a day hike or a camping trip, to put the book’s lessons into context.
Encourage your child to draw or write about a survival scenario, using the book as a reference to foster creativity and application of the ideas discussed.
Acknowledge any fears or apprehensions about outdoor activities discussed in the book, and talk about ways to manage and overcome those fears.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Through the adventurous storyline, characters in 'Maker Comics: Survive in the Outdoors!' face various challenges in the wild, requiring them to think critically and creatively to find solutions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these problem-solving techniques in real-life situations, such as navigating social conflicts or overcoming obstacles in school projects.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: The characters must work together to overcome obstacles and ensure everyone's safety. This emphasizes the importance of teamwork and helping each other.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of collaborating with peers or family members, which can be particularly beneficial during group activities at school or in sports.
Example Lesson: Resilience and adaptability
Explanation: Throughout their outdoor journey, characters display resilience by adapting to unexpected changes and challenges in their environment.
Real-World Application: Children learn to stay determined and adaptable when faced with new challenges or changes in their own lives, fostering a resilient mindset.
Example Lesson: Importance of preparation
Explanation: The comic educates on the necessity of proper preparation before embarking on any outdoor activities, highlighting the importance of planning and readiness.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to develop planning and preparation habits, such as doing homework on time or packing necessary items for school.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The storyline instills a love and respect for the outdoors, teaching the characters (and readers) to care for the environment.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be mindful of their environment, promoting behaviors like recycling and conservation in their daily routines.