Woods Runner

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. What hardships were experienced by the people who lived on the American frontier in the 18th century? What were some of the daily tasks and activities people tended to, and what were some of the tools used? Who made the most money on the frontier?

Teaching Suggestion: In the novel Woods Runner, the protagonist lives on the frontier with his family prior to the Revolutionary War. The novel highlights some of the hardships experienced on the frontier as well as the struggle to survive. Students might benefit from an exploration of resources like these to whet interest in the time period and topics; this article and video about the American frontier may be helpful starting places.

• This article describes the difficulties of life on the American frontier.
• This 4-minute video is about a group of men who explore living as frontier people and some of the inventions and tools that reflect the frontier lifestyle.

2. What facts do you recall about the American Revolution? Write brief responses to 2-3 (or more) of these questions in your notes or a reading journal.

• What is the significance of the Minutemen at Lexington and Concord to the American Revolution?
• Why were the colonists in America becoming increasingly frustrated with British rule?
• Who was named commander of the colonial army?
• Explain the Declaration of Independence in your own words.
• Who fought in the Revolutionary War other than Great Britain and the Colonials?

Teaching Suggestion: Woods Runner is set during the American Revolution. Samuel, the protagonist, is hunting when his village is attacked by British soldiers and his family is taken as captives by the British. It may be helpful to use these or similar resources to review why the American Revolution began, who was involved, and why Britain ultimately lost against a smaller force.

• This 10-minute video explains the American Revolution.
• This 3-minute video describes some of the little-known facts about the Revolutionary War.
• This 12-minute video explains why Britain lost the American Revolution.

Personal Connection Prompt

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

What would you do if you had to survive in the wilderness by yourself without modern technology? What skills do you possess that would aid in your survival? How has modern technology, in some ways, handicapped people who might have otherwise survived without it? Do you think there are some advantages to living without technology? Why or why not?

Teaching Suggestion: In the novel, Samuel must survive without modern technology. His skills of hunting on the frontier come in handy as he attempts to locate the British soldier who abducted his family. Students may want to focus their discussion on survival on the points such as the difficulties of the terrain, the disadvantages of traveling without modern technology, and the tools used in the 18th century to survive on the frontier. 

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who require an additional challenge, consider replacing this prompt with a research assignment on frontier technology in the 18th century. Students may discover that those living on the frontier have quite a few skills and technologies they used to survive. They might share their discoveries aloud with the rest of the class, or display the information in a visual aid or infographic.