Several years ago I decided to try something new with my high school seniors, and the following lesson evolved. I, too, become a pilgrim and complete this assignment with them. Once brainstorming is complete, students look at their lists of significant others and decide whether or not these people should accompany them on their trips.
Students then expand or shrink their lists to include no more than ten pilgrims.
I ask that lists be kept confidential. For one week, students closely observe each of their pilgrims and keep a list of noteworthy items. I remind them to be sensitive to their subjects' feelings in choosing details to include so that everyone can enjoy the result. At the end of the week, students and I come to class with our notebooks filled with observations. Now the real fun begins.