This document provides instruction and discussion questions for a lesson on the book "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park. It focuses on how the author juxtaposes the characters of Salva and Nya to convey ideas about survival in Sudan. Students are asked to analyze how presenting both characters' stories close together and comparing their traits through the story helps demonstrate that life can improve after hardship.

1. DO NOW
Reviewing Juxtaposition
• Two passages on the worksheet
juxtapose Salva and Nya.
•
What does juxtapose mean?
•
When done…work on the back!

2. A Long Walk to Water
Learning Objectives
I can explain how Park compares and
contrasts Nya and Salva to convey ideas
about how people survive in Sudan.

3. A Long Walk to Water
Poetry Writing
Think-Pair-Share
With your WHITE NILE partner, discuss:
• How does having both characters’ stories so
close to each other help Park convey the
message that even after years of difficulty,
life can improve?
• How is this message stronger because it is
shown in both stories, rather than just in
one?

4. A Long Walk to Water
Poetry Writing
Practice Juxtaposing!
• What are two ways Nya and Salva are
juxtaposed in the book?
1)
2)

5. A Long Walk to Water
Compare & Contrast
Nya
Salva

6. A Long Walk to Water
Poetry Writing
White Nile Partners
More Juxtaposition!
• Work on the Juxtaposition Practice page
• …both sides…

7. A Long Walk to Water
Poetry Writing
How did you do?
Share out
• What are Salva’s two roles?
• How does this juxtaposition help you
compare Salva as a boy with Salva as an
adult?
• What does this comparison suggest about
what allowed him to survive?

8. A Long Walk to Water
Poetry Writing
How did you do?
…more!
• How does adding Nya to Salva’s story help
Park better show why these traits allowed
Salva to survive?
• How does having Nya as a character make
it possible for Park to compare Salva as a
boy and as an adult?

9. A Long Walk to Water
Poetry Writing
How did you do?
…and more!
• To what extent do these traits also help
Nya?
• How does juxtaposition help you compare
the characters of Salva and Nya?
• Why might Park use two characters to
convey her messages about survival in
Sudan and not just one?

10. A Long Walk to Water
Poetry Writing
White Nile Partners
• Test tomorrow!
• Will be similar to the work we did today
(Do Now and Practice work)
• How do you think you’ll do tomorrow?
• What could you do tonight to succeed
tomorrow?

11. A Long Walk to Water
Homework
Test tomorrow!
• Look over notes for Nya and Salva
• Add to your Venn Diagram any new
thoughts …can use on test tomorrow