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.