A Long Walk to Water Building Background Knowledge | Dinka & Nuer Peoples

A Long Walk to Water Building Background Knowledge | Dinka & Nuer Peoples

Build the cultural and historical background students need to better understand A Long Walk to Water with this no-prep Dinka and Nuer Peoples lesson for Grades 6–8.

Students investigate the Dinka and Nuer peoples of South Sudan, exploring traditions, values, cattle and livelihood, community, environment, and cultural identity. Students then dig deeper to consider how identity, shared history, and conflict intersect while avoiding stereotypes and oversimplified explanations.

Students Will
- Research Dinka and Nuer traditions and ways of life
- Compare important cultural similarities and differences
- Explore connections between traditions, community, livelihood, and identity
- Examine how ethnic identity connects to historical conflict
- Distinguish cultural differences from the larger historical factors behind conflict
- Use research evidence to explain the significance of traditions and values
- Make a real-world Cultural Identity Today connection
- Create a Culture & Community Investigation

Included
- Teacher Directions
- Background Overview & Mini Research Questions
- Group Activity Directions
- Understanding Culture & Community research and comparison page
- More Than Two Sides: Culture, Identity & Conflict analysis page
- Build Your Investigation planning page
- Free online research resources
- Color and printer-friendly black-and-white student pages

Perfect For
Grades 6–8 • A Long Walk to Water Novel Study • Building Background Knowledge • Dinka & Nuer Peoples • South Sudan • Cultural Identity • ELA & Humanities • Social Studies • Research • Sub Plans
Designed for approximately 1–2 class periods of 45–60 minutes each.

Book Disclaimer
This resource does not include the novel A Long Walk to Water or reproduce text, illustrations, or cover artwork from the book. It is an independently created educational resource designed to build background knowledge. It is not affiliated with, authorized by, sponsored by, or endorsed by Linda Sue Park, the publisher, or the copyright holder of A Long Walk to Water.