A Walk in the Woods

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. Who is Bill Bryson? What is his background, and what other works has he written? How does his unique style contribute to the field of travel literature?

Teaching Suggestion: Bryson is one of the most famous travelogue writers, notable for his humor and critiques of the places he visits. Discussing the use of humor in his books and why they are so popular may be beneficial. You may also wish to discuss Bryson’s books’ impact on the travelogue genre.

• This author page about Bryson from Barnes and Noble lists some of his books and discusses his popularity.
• This article from Scientific American describes Bryson’s background and contributions to the scientific community.

2. What is the Appalachian Trail (AT)? Where is it located? What is its length? What are some characteristics of the trail?

Teaching Suggestion: Some students might have background knowledge about the Appalachian Trail, especially those who enjoy hiking or live in the area. Depending on the knowledge level of your class, this could be a research activity where students find the path of the trail and look at the environments of the states through which it passes. It may be beneficial to assign different states to groups of students and put together a classroom map. Referring to the classroom map as the group progresses can help students understand Bryson’s barriers on his journey.

• This interactive map from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy shows the route of the trail and the cities through which it passes.
• This compilation of famous places on the Appalachian Trail provides information about landmarks on the trail, some of which Bryson mentions in the book.

Personal Connection Prompt

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

The Appalachian Trail presents an opportunity to unplug from the digital world. What could be the potential benefits and challenges of being disconnected from technology for an extended period?

Teaching Suggestion: This question allows students to consider how they are connected to today’s digital world. Consider introducing the topic with a brief discussion about the ubiquity of technology in everyday life. You can talk about how smartphones, the internet, and other digital technologies permeate our lives, from communication and work to entertainment and learning. This could lead to a discussion of how someone might have answered this question differently in 1996 when the book was published.

• This article from Forbes discusses the impact of technology on our daily lives.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students with difficulty in written expression may find it helpful to draw their answers, creating a visual representation of technology in their daily lives.