Soul Surfer

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

1. Did you know that slang terms like “wipeout” and “stoked” have their origins in surfing culture? Try to think of any other surfing terms that may have crept into the general lexicon. Which ones do you use or hear occasionally? List additional facts and ideas that come to mind about surfing culture.

Teaching Suggestion: Soul Surfer immerses the reader in surf culture. This prompt offers a way to introduce this sport and associated culture through surfing’s unique jargon. An exploration of surf culture is also an interesting way to introduce the book’s theme of Community Is Critical to Surviving Hardships.

• Outside Magazine’s “The Secret Worlds and Subcultures of Surfing” is an overview of the various subcultures within surfing culture.
• National Geographic’s “In Southern California, Surf Culture Is Becoming More Inclusive” explores how diversity is a cornerstone of the modern surfing scene.
• Surfer Today offers a list of compiled surf terminology; a brief video on the topic from the Los Angeles Times is included. Hamilton’s book includes a glossary of surfing terms as well.

Differentiation Suggestion: For a more visual approach—and one that dives deeper into the history of surf culture—students might watch the 6-minute TED-Ed documentary “The Complicated History of Surfing” by University of Minnesota professor Scott Laderman. (Content Warning: The video discusses colonization and racism.)

2. From “Shark Week” to “Jaws,” sharks have long been a fascination (and source of fear) for humankind. Of all aquatic life, what is it about sharks that commands our attention? What are the different types of sharks? Brainstorm a list of points about their anatomy, way of life, and characteristics you recall from class study, documentaries, news stories, and other reputable sources.

Teaching Suggestion: At the center of Hamilton’s story is a shark attack. In surviving that trauma, she comes to realize that Faith in God Enables her to Overcome Any Challenge and that Resilience Is Key to Dealing With Loss. In this prompt, students can share what they know about these majestic but terrifying creatures. Students might use investigation time to fact-check their ideas and work in small groups to help build a shared understanding of sharks’ habitats, characteristics, and place in the marine ecosystem. 

• USA Today’s “Shark Attacks and Bites Dropped Again in 2022. Experts Explain Why” explores the ecological basis behind shark attacks in recent years.
• NOAA Fisheries’ “12 Shark Facts That May Surprise You” collects a variety of fascinating shark facts.

Personal Connection Prompt

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

“Resilience” is defined as the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from hardship. Consider a time that resilience helped you to overcome a challenge or difficult time. What were the circumstances and how did your behavior embody resilience? Where do you think your personal resilience comes from?

Teaching Suggestion: One of the core themes of Hamilton’s story is how Resilience Is the Key to Dealing With Loss. In this prompt, students can explore their personal experience with resilience and reflect upon the source (such as a personal or family trait or a spiritual belief). As students consider this question, you may want to remind them that they are welcome to draw from significant life experiences (e.g., death, family hardship, relocating), but resilience can also be evidenced in more mundane events as well. Due to the sensitive nature of the prompt, an individual, private journal entry may be best.

• Harvard Business Review’s “The Secret to Building Resilience” pinpoints the key quality that cultivates resilience.
• Mayo Clinic’s “Resilience: Build skills to endure hardship” is a step-by-step article on building skills to help you endure conflict and setbacks.