The Call of the Wild Activity & Puzzle Pack | Novel Study ELA Grades 6–8 | No Prep
The Call of the Wild Activity & Puzzle Pack | Novel Study ELA Grades 6–8 | No Prep
176 Pages of Activities
for Every Chapter of The Call of the Wild.
Vocabulary charts, word searches, crossword puzzles, word scrambles, cryptogram puzzles, mazes, illustration activities, journal writing, and visual summary strips — all seven chapters covered, all answers included, no prep required.
Why This Resource
Students Who Are Engaged While They Read Comprehend More. This Is the Pack That Keeps Them Engaged.
Most novel study resources fall into one of two categories: worksheets that feel like a quiz, or activities so open-ended they don't reinforce anything. This pack is built differently. Every activity type in it is designed to engage students in the vocabulary and events of the chapter they just read — through puzzles, creative response, and visual thinking — without requiring teacher-built materials or additional preparation.
At 176 pages covering all seven chapters, this is a complete engagement resource for the entire novel. You can assign a chapter's worth of activities as independent practice, use individual puzzle types as literacy centers, or drop the whole week's materials on a sub's desk with zero explanation needed. The solutions are included for every puzzle type.
Cryptogram puzzles — the activity students actually want to solve
Each chapter includes a cryptogram puzzle — a cipher-based activity where students decode sentences from the novel using a letter-substitution key. Cryptograms require sustained focus, reinforce the chapter's key events through the decoded text, and have a built-in motivation that traditional comprehension questions don't: students want to crack the code. No other standard novel study pack includes this activity type.
Visual activities that develop comprehension — not just art
The illustration writing activity asks students to draw something significant from the chapter, then write about their choice — connecting visual and written response. The summary strip presents a grid of frames for students to draw the main events in sequence — a visual retelling that develops the same summarizing skills as written summary, in a format that works for visual learners and reluctant writers.
Vocabulary built chapter by chapter — not front-loaded
The vocabulary chart for each chapter asks students to find words in the chapter, write a definition or synonyms, and create their own sentence using the word in context. This active vocabulary work — done during or right after reading — builds comprehension more effectively than a pre-unit word list. The multiple word searches per chapter reinforce those same words in a different format.
Complete solutions — no answer key hunting required
A chapter solutions section follows each chapter's activities — covering all puzzle answers including word search grids, crossword solutions, word scramble answers, cryptogram decoded text, and comprehension question answers. Everything is in the pack. No separate download, no "answers coming soon." Print and assign.
What's Included
Nine Activity Types. All Seven Chapters. One Complete Pack.
Every chapter in The Call of the Wild includes the same nine activity types — so the routine is consistent, students know what to expect, and you can assign any piece independently or the full chapter set together.
Vocabulary Chart
Students find vocabulary words in the chapter, record the page number, write a definition or synonyms, and create an original sentence using the word. Three pages per chapter. Active vocabulary building tied directly to the text — not a pre-unit word list.
3 pages per chapterIllustrate & Write
Students use blank space to illustrate something significant from the chapter, then write about it on lined paper — either a summary or a reflection on what they found interesting. Develops visual-verbal connection and works well for visual learners and reluctant writers.
2 pages per chapterJournal Writing
Guided journal prompts ask students to reflect on characters' behavior, question the believability of events, and write anything they thought or wondered while reading. Open-ended and discussion-ready — works as a written entry or a partner discussion starter.
2 pages per chapterSummary Strip
A grid of frames for students to illustrate the main parts of the chapter in sequence — a visual retelling that builds the same summarizing comprehension skill as written summary, in a format that engages visual learners. Works well as a post-reading check for understanding.
1 page per chapterVocabulary Word Searches
Multiple word search grids per chapter — each using a different set of chapter vocabulary words. Students search for and circle words drawn from the chapter's events and themes. Works well as a warm-up, independent practice, or early finisher activity.
3–4 pages per chapterWord Scramble
Students unscramble chapter vocabulary words — reinforcing spelling and word recognition for the terms they encountered in the chapter. A quick, self-contained activity that works as a warm-up or transition task between longer activities.
1 page per chapterCrossword Puzzle
A vocabulary crossword using chapter words — clues are definitions, and answers are the vocabulary terms from the chapter. Across and down clues reinforce both recognition and recall of word meanings in a format students enjoy.
1 page per chapterCryptogram Puzzle
Students decode sentences from the chapter using a letter-substitution cipher key. Each coded sentence is drawn from the chapter's key events — so decoding reinforces comprehension while the puzzle format sustains engagement. Unique to this pack and consistently a student favorite.
2 pages per chapterMaze + Chapter Solutions
A full-page maze provides an engaging transition activity or early finisher option. Each chapter closes with a complete solutions section — word search grids marked, crossword answers filled, word scramble answers listed, and cryptogram text decoded. No separate answer key needed.
Solutions for all activities included176 pages total — approximately 25 pages per chapter across all 7 chapters, including activities and complete solutions. Organized chapter by chapter so you can print one chapter at a time or the full pack at once.
Chapter Coverage
Every Chapter of the Novel. Every Activity Type. Ready to Print.
All seven chapters of The Call of the Wild are covered with the full set of nine activity types. Each chapter set can be assigned independently or used as part of a complete novel study sequence.
Chapter 1
Into the Primitive
Chapter 2
The Law of Club and Fang
Chapter 3
The Dominant Primordial Beast
Chapter 4
Who Has Won to Mastership
Chapter 5
The Toil of Trace and Trail
Chapter 6
For the Love of a Man
Chapter 7
The Sounding of the Call
Skills Covered
Engagement-Focused Activities That Still Build Real Skills.
Every activity in this pack is designed to be engaging — but engagement and skill-building aren't opposites. Students working through these activities are practicing vocabulary acquisition, visual summarizing, written reflection, and word-level decoding simultaneously.
Vocabulary Development (L.6.4 / L.7.4)
Vocabulary charts, word searches, word scrambles, and crossword puzzles all reinforce chapter vocabulary in different formats — from recognition to recall to original use.
Reading Comprehension (RL.6.1 / RL.7.1)
Cryptogram puzzles decode actual sentences from the text, reinforcing key events. Summary strips and journal prompts require students to recall and reflect on what they read.
Written Reflection (W.6.3 / W.7.3)
Journal writing prompts develop written response skills — students must recall events, evaluate character behavior, and express their own reactions in writing.
Visual Summary & Sequencing
The summary strip and illustrate-and-write activities develop visual comprehension and sequencing — the same summarizing skill assessed on reading standards, in a format that works for visual and creative learners.
Critical Thinking & Decoding
Cryptogram puzzles develop pattern recognition, sustained focus, and logical thinking — skills that transfer beyond ELA while keeping students engaged with the novel's content.
Word-Level Fluency
Word scrambles reinforce correct spelling of chapter vocabulary. Crosswords reinforce definition recall. Together they build word-level fluency with the novel's specific vocabulary.
Who This Works For
One Pack. Every Scenario.
6th–8th Grade ELA Teachers
Assign a chapter's worth of activities as independent practice after reading. Use individual activity types as literacy center rotations. Pull the crossword or word search as a warm-up. Use the cryptogram as a Friday engagement activity. The pack gives you options.
Sub Plans
Drop the next chapter's activity packet on your sub's desk with zero preparation. Students work independently — activities are self-explanatory and self-contained. Solutions are included so the sub can help if needed.
Early Finishers
Keep early finishers productively engaged with meaningful novel-connected activities — mazes, word searches, and cryptograms — that don't require teacher direction to begin or complete.
Homeschool Parents
A complete, organized activity companion for the entire novel. Print one chapter at a time as you read. The variety of activity types keeps daily lessons fresh. Solutions make review straightforward.
Ways to Use It
Flexible Enough for Any Classroom Routine.
- 📚Independent practice — assign the full chapter packet after reading each chapter
- 🔄Literacy centers — rotate activity types across stations (word search, crossword, cryptogram, illustration)
- 📋Sub plans — self-contained and self-explanatory with solutions included for the sub
- ⏩Early finisher work — mazes, word searches, and cryptograms require no teacher direction
- 🔔Warm-up or bell ringer — pull a single activity (word scramble, crossword) for the start of class
- 🏠Homework — vocabulary chart and journal writing work well as at-home reading response activities
Product Details
What You're Getting
| Grade Level | 6th–8th Grade (suitable for grades 5–9 depending on class level) |
| Novel Required | The Call of the Wild by Jack London — not included. The novel is in the public domain and available free online through Project Gutenberg and many school library databases. |
| Chapters Covered | All 7 chapters — Chapter 1 (Into the Primitive) through Chapter 7 (The Sounding of the Call) |
| Activity Types per Chapter | Vocabulary chart (3 pages) · Illustrate & write (2 pages) · Journal writing (2 pages) · Summary strip (1 page) · Vocabulary word searches (3–4 pages) · Word scramble (1 page) · Crossword puzzle (1 page) · Cryptogram puzzle (2 pages) · Maze (1 page) |
| Solutions | Complete chapter solutions section included for every chapter — covers all puzzle types including word search grids, crossword answers, word scramble solutions, and cryptogram decoded text |
| Total Pages | 176 pages — approximately 25 pages per chapter including activities and solutions |
| Standards Alignment | Supports CCSS RL.6.1–RL.7.1 (reading comprehension); L.6.4–L.7.4 (vocabulary acquisition); W.6.3–W.7.3 (written reflection) |
| Format | PDF — printable and digital upload ready |
| License | Single classroom or personal homeschool use. Additional licenses required for teams, co-ops, schools, or districts. |
Common Questions
Before You Buy
176 Pages. Every Chapter.
Every Puzzle Type. Ready to Print.
Vocabulary charts. Word searches. Crosswords. Word scrambles. Cryptogram puzzles. Mazes. Illustration activities. Journal writing. Summary strips. All seven chapters of The Call of the Wild — covered, organized, and ready to use.
Add to CartPDF delivered instantly · 176 pages · Grades 6–8 · Complete solutions included · Single classroom or homeschool license