A Long Walk to Water Activity Bundle - Creative Novel Activities and Assignments

Engage your students with these eight ready-to-use activities and assignments designed to bring A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park to life. In this activity bundle, students analyze symbolism, examine nonfiction connections, discuss human rights, engage in creative writing, and complete projects tied directly to the novel’s events and themes. Each A Long Walk to Water activity is designed to move beyond basic comprehension by requiring students to use text evidence, analyze the novel, and make connections. The assignments and activities combine analysis and creativity, helping students show their understanding of Nya’s and Salva’s journeys.

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→ A Long Walk to Water Unit Plan

Included in the A Long Walk to Water Activity Bundle:

Chapters 1–5:

➡️ Water Crisis Lesson & Water Walk Challenge: In A Long Walk to Water, Nya’s daily walk for water reveals the harsh reality faced by millions around the world. In this multi-part activity, students learn about global water scarcity, track their own water use, participate in a Water Walk simulation, and take part in a Walk-A-Thon fundraiser designed to raise awareness about access to clean water.

➡️ Water Symbolism Assignment: Water carries symbolic meaning throughout the novel, representing survival, hardship, hope, and transformation. In this A Long Walk to Water activity, students analyze how the symbolism of water changes across the text by selecting key quotes and explaining what water represents in each moment.

Chapters 6–10:

➡️ Lost Boys of Sudan WebQuest: In this WebQuest, students explore the real events that inspired Salva’s story. Through videos, maps, and articles, they learn about the Lost Boys of Sudan, including their journey across Africa, life in refugee camps, and resettlement experiences, helping students better understand the historical and human context behind the novel.

➡️ “Thirst” Nonfiction Response: Students read Kristin Lewis’s nonfiction article “Thirst” to explore the real-life story of Natalia, a 13-year-old girl from Mozambique whose struggle for clean water mirrors Nya’s experiences. Through structured response questions, students compare both situations, analyze the impact of contaminated water on families, and reflect on the global importance of access to safe water.

Chapters 11–14:

➡️ Human Rights Lesson & Analysis: This lesson challenges students to think critically about human rights and how they can be denied during times of war, poverty, and crisis. After examining the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, students connect its principles to A Long Walk to Water by analyzing how Salva’s and Nya’s stories reveal violations related to safety, education, equality, and access to clean water.

Chapters 15–18:

➡️ Nya’s Letter to Salva Writing Activity: In this A Long Walk to Water activity, students take on Nya’s voice to write a reflective letter to Salva, connecting the novel’s dual narratives in a meaningful way. They may express gratitude, describe how access to clean water has transformed life in their village, and imagine Nya’s hopes for the future while strengthening empathy and voice.

➡️ “I Kept Walking” – Salva Dut Speech Activity: After watching Salva Dut’s TED Talk, students reflect on the power of perseverance, hope, and leadership. Using discussion task cards, they analyze key quotes, connect his words to events in A Long Walk to Water, and respond to one prompt in depth.

➡️ Front Page Newspaper Article Project: Stepping into the role of a journalist, students write a headline news story about Salva Dut’s work at the end of the novel. Using details and quotes from the text, they craft a lead paragraph, supporting details, and a conclusion that highlights the global impact of his well-building efforts.

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