Julie Of The Wolves

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

According to Merriam-Webster, an ecosystem is “the complex of a community of organisms and its environment functioning as an ecological unit.” How can imbalance in an ecosystem hurt wildlife? How does this ultimately hurt humanity?

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Answer question provides an opportunity to introduce the environmental context of the novel as it relates to the theme of The Wilderness Versus Civilization. Early in the novel, Miyax’s survival is dependent on her understanding of the natural ecosystem and her intuitive recognition of the wolves’ intelligence and skills; her respect for ecosystem balance grows throughout her experiences. Miyax observes the potential destruction of such ecosystems with the increase of American interest in the land, primarily due to economic pursuits for oil. Additionally, wolves, although essential to the natural hierarchy of the Alaskan landscape, are hunted by the Americans; the death of Miyax’s beloved Amaroq near the novel’s conclusion is a metaphor for the inevitable destruction and changes to life in the Alaskan ecosystem. Students might work with a partner to brainstorm a list of types of ecosystems or ecosystem characteristics they recall from science classes before addressing the prompt.

• The Alaska Department of Fish and Game shares a variety of resources related to “Alaska’s Ecosystems” as well as the changing landscape of the region.
• The Living With Wolves Museum in Ketchum, Idaho, shares the variety of ways that wolves are important to the natural order in “Wolves and Our Ecosystems.”

Short Activity

The Inuit people are various tribes indigenous to the Alaskan area. Working in small groups, select one Indigenous tribe in the Arctic area and present background information to the class. Investigate the following questions as you prepare your presentation:

• What is the name of the group, and where are they located?
• What is daily life like for this group, now and/or historically?
• What belief system does the group follow, and what traditions are important to them?
• In what ways has their life been affected by a changing environment or environmental conflict?

After preparing your presentation, share your findings with the class. It may be helpful to include approved visuals and videos in your presentation.

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Activity offers a chance to introduce the novel’s theme of Indigenous Wisdom and Traditions during or after group presentations. To begin the activity, each student might find 2-3 appropriate sources to bring to the group; then, group members can use established guidelines to discern those most suitable for the activity.

• The Alaska Federation of Natives provides a brief overview of the varieties of “Alaskan Native Peoples.”
• Travel Alaska shares information regarding “Alaska Native Culture.”

Differentiation Suggestion: For an approach that addresses the novel’s language concerns, groups might utilize these questions as they prepare the presentation and then discuss as a class: George uses the word “Eskimo” to refer to the Alaska Indigenous peoples in the novel. In what ways is the use of this term problematic? What term or terms could be used as a replacement in discussing the novel?

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Consider the idea of independence. What are some examples of situations in which it is good to be independent? What are some examples of situations in which it is better to join with others?

Teaching Suggestion: This Personal Connection Prompt invites students to consider the idea of Independence Versus Solidarity. As a 13-year-old girl, Miyax is a tough, fearless, and intelligent adolescent who is able to live in an extremely difficult environment alone; however, she acknowledges that such independence can only take her so far, as she relies on Amaroq and the pack of wolves to help her navigate the challenges of life on the tundra. Students might list books or films they recall in which the protagonist lives, works, or faces a conflict independently so that they have a few ready examples from which to draw in addressing the prompt.