Susan Hood’s Lifeboat 12 novel study lessons, CLICK HERE to find them on Tpt.

Susan Hood’s Lifeboat 12, is an incredible story of survival that is perfect for introducing your students to the power of literature. The novel follows twelve-year-old Eric as he embarks on a harrowing journey across the Atlantic Ocean during WWII after his ship is sunk by a Nazi U-Boat. In this blog post, we will discuss how to teach Lifeboat 12 in the classroom and how it can be used to encourage critical thinking and discussion.

Engaging the Classroom with Literature
One of the best ways to engage students in literature is by having them relate it to their own lives. When teaching Lifeboat 12, allow your students to think about what they would do if they were in Eric’s position. This can be done through journaling or classroom discussions. By encouraging your students to think more critically about the story and its themes, they will be more engaged in the text and have a deeper understanding of its content.

Another great way to engage your class with Lifeboat 12 is through group work and projects. Assign each student or group of students a chapter from the novel and challenge them to come up with creative ways to present their findings. For example, you could ask them to create a timeline of events or design a poster illustrating important moments from their assigned chapters. This will help your students become even more immersed in the text while developing valuable communication and presentation skills that they can use throughout their academic career.

Using Digital Tools for Engagement
In addition to conventional teaching methods, there are also plenty of digital tools available that you can use to engage your classroom with Lifeboat 12. For example, you can have students create multimedia presentations using Powerpoint or Prezi which they can share with their peers as part of class discussions or presentations. You could also assign interactive quizzes using online platforms such as Kahoot! or Quizlet Live so that your students can test their knowledge on key concepts from the novel in an engaging way.

Discuss Historical Context
Lifeboat 12 is based on the real-life sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Use this as an opportunity to discuss history with your students and explore how far safety regulations have come since then. You can also discuss the impact that the incident had on maritime law, which still affects us today.

Explore Real-Life Survival Tactics
The characters in the book use common sense and ingenuity to survive in their dire situation. Have your students explore some real-life survival tactics from experts so that they understand what it takes to survive harsh conditions. This will help them better appreciate what the characters in Lifeboat 12 went through during their time on the lifeboat.

Integrate STEM Concepts
Lifeboat 12 is full of STEM concepts such as mathematics, physics, and engineering. Have your students explore these concepts further by having them build a model boat using everyday materials or by having them calculate how much food they would need if they were stuck on a lifeboat like those in the novel. These activities will enable them to gain a deeper understanding of what it would be like to be stuck in such a situation and may even spark their interest in STEM fields.

CLICK HERE for the Digital Course Above.

Discussion Questions
Lifeboat 12 is full of intense action and emotion, making it the perfect platform for discussing important issues related to war and survival. Discussion based questions can help draw out student’s perspectives on these topics as well as offering them an opportunity to practice active listening skills. Consider posing questions such as “why do you think the characters acted in certain ways?” or “what would you have done if you were in their situation?”

Group Projects
Group projects are a great way to get students involved with each other while also allowing them to create a project that highlights their understanding of the material. Consider having students create a timeline of events from Lifeboat 12 or having them design a webpage about one of the characters or setting locations featured in the book. Group projects promote collaboration, communication, and creative thinking – all important skills for success in any field!

Writing Assignments
Writing assignments are an excellent way to assess student comprehension of the material while also providing them with a platform to express themselves creatively. For example, teachers can ask students to write an essay about how one of the characters changed over time or they can give them writing prompts such as “If you were stranded at sea like Jack, what do you think your thoughts would be?” Writing assignments can also give students an opportunity to practice their grammar and spelling skills.

Susan Hood’s novel Lifeboat 12 offers an exciting opportunity for educators looking for ways to bring literature alive in the classroom. By utilizing traditional teaching methods such as journaling and group work alongside digital tools like Powerpoint presentations and interactive quizzes, teachers can ensure that their students are actively engaged with this amazing story while learning valuable lessons about courage and resilience along the way. With these strategies in mind, teachers can bring Susan Hood’s masterpiece into life for their classes!