Great Gatsby Lesson Plan
Procedures
Materials:
The Great Gatsby
Computers
White board
Project specifications worksheet
Group work rubric handout (Can be found under evaluations)
| Methods | |
| Introduction: | |
| Students are reading The Great Gatsby in class. LMS will begin by asking students what they have learned about the 1920’s. Responses will be written on white board. Discuss that time period and what was happening in our country. | Build on prior knowledge Discussion |
| Body: | |
LMS will introduce the project. The class will be divided into teams of 5. Each team will choose 4 topics, either from the suggestion list or of their own choosing, about the 1920’s, or the book. A 5th, required, topic will be the life of the author. Each student will choose 1 topic from their team’s selections. Deciding who researches F. Scott Fitzgerald will be determined within each team. Research can be done in online or print sources. Students will be directed to the following links for correct APA citation format:
Students will organize information and write it up as a newspaper article, including a byline and citations. Illustrations or pictures are optional. Each team must include, in this newspaper, an editorial on the following topic: Has Jay Gatsby found happiness? Consider his money, success, social standing, lifestyle and relationship with Daisy. Each team will assemble its articles in a newspaper-type format for presentation orally or as a Power Point presentation. One team member will be the presenter. | Handout of project specifications Having the students work in groups will satisfy a need for affiliation
Adding this option will fulfill a need for achievement.
Fulfills a need for power.
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| Conclusion: | |
| LMS and English teacher will have each team present its “gazette” to the rest of the class. The Principal will be invited. Question and answer period will follow each presentation. |
Learning Assessment Method(s):
- Grading of newspaper articles, citations and Works Cited page.
- Collaboration rubric.
- Thoroughness of topic in presentation.
The Great Gatsby
Project Specifications
Each team will research 5 topics on which to write a newspaper article. One article must pertain to the life of the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Suggestions for topics:
The Jazz Age
The “Roaring 20’s”
Prohibition
Fashions of the 1920’s
Forms of entertainment in the 1920’s
Auto industry news
Symbolism in The Great Gatsby
Within each team, each person will choose a topic of his/her choosing on which to write an article. One must pertain to the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Each team will decide how to choose the person who writes about the author (volunteer, draw straws, etc).
Each article must be cited correctly, using APA citation format
In addition, the team must write an editorial on the topic,
“Jay Gatsby’s pursuit of happiness”. It must address how his money, lifestyle, social standing and success contributed or detracted from his happiness.
The articles and editorial must be put together in a newspaper-like format for submission. The names of each team member should appear as a byline.
A Works Cited page must be included, separate from the newspaper.