F. Scott Fitzgerald
Lesson plans for
The Great Gatsby
and other works
| Biography and Historical Background | | The Great Gatsby | | Other stories |
Biography, historical background, the American Dream, and other nonfiction related to the novel
Click here : Links for F. Scott Fitzgerald's biography, historical background to the 1920s, the American Dream, and nonfiction related to The Great Gatsby is on a separate page.
The Great Gatsby
24
Great Gatsby
facts
Some trivia for pre- or postreading, might inspire some text-to-world connections.
Anticipation Guide
As part of a longer discussion of anticipation guides, this page includes one that focuses on close reading from chapter 1 of
Gatsby
.
Bringing Gatsby into the EFL/ESL Classroom
In a five unit lesson plan under the headings of 1) setting the scene, 2) character exploration, 3) visualization, 4) understanding the climax, and 5) student presentations,
The Great Gatsby
can take on meaning and understanding for EFL/ESL students.
Character Impressions
In
The Great Gatsby
Fitzgerald uses revealing details and diction to bring characters alive and to create an overall mood or impression. In this lesson, students will analyze a passage by identifying words, details, phrases, and dialogue that create opinions and contribute to an overall mood or tone. After analyzing Fitzgeralds techniques, students will write a scene, poem, or song that reveals the personality of a person or character and creates mood through the use of showing details.
Character Metaphors
The students will explore characters by creating metaphors with pictures. Using a gingerbread styled template and pictures collected from magazines, clip art, or other sources, the students will paste pictures which represent specific qualities of a character. Students should explain how each picture is a metaphor for a character, and why the picture is pasted in the that particular area of the body. Unit plan includes handouts.
Dressing Gatsby
In this video interview (3:31), Catherine Martin, the costume and production designer for the 2013 movie version, discusses how the descriptions in the text influenced her choices for costume and design. Focus on Daisy, Gatsby.
Fake Facebook page for Tom Buchanan
Students might critique this page as a response to reading. They might also construct something similar for another character.
The Gift of Gatsby
In this lesson, students learn about the appeal of
The Great Gatsby
in the contemporary American high school English curriculum. They take a reading comprehension quiz based on the New York Times article they have read, discuss several key "Gatsby" themes today's students find relevant, and then write reflective pieces for homework. Lesson plan includes New York Times article.
The Great Gatsby
Text of the novel.
The Great Gatsby
Historical background, author biography, related works, discussion questions, related resources, and a thorough teacher's guide. These materials were prepared as part of the NEA Big Read.
The Great Gatsby
A list of reading strategies, including an anticipation guide, a directed reading-thinking activity, a guided imagery activity, vocabulary practice, and more. Adobe Reader required for access.
The Great Gatsby
Vocabulary, focus questions, additional links, classroom activities.
The Great Gatsby
: Living the Dream in the Valley of Ashes
In this YouTube video author John Green discusses major themes in the novel. Sometimes frenetic but always right on the money, this video will serve well as either an introduction or post-reading activity.
The Great Gatsby
Setting Map
After reading about half of the novel, students design a map of the setting. This site includes a checklist for assessment.
The Great Gatsby
Treasure Hunt
This prereading activity asks students to explore a dozen aspects of the Roaring Twenties.
An Index to
The Great Gatsby
An extensive index of the novel.
An Infographic: Every Scene in
The Great Gatsby
This project depicts the entire novel. What might your students do with an infographic of just one chapter? Creative assessment of understanding.
Multi-paragraph Introductions
How can we encourage students to think beyond the 5-paragraph essay? This blog post focuses on expanding introductions, using an essay on
Gatsby
as a model.
My American Dream: Multigenre Paper
This handout states requirements for an assignment. Requires MS-Word or compatible application for access.
Teacher Guide to
The Great Gatsby
Analysis, essential questions, learning activities, slide shows, conflict, motif, symbol.
The "Secret Society" and FitzGerald's
The Great Gatsby
Students analyze the novel "for a consideration of class, wealth, and status during the turbulent 1920's" and consider its relevance to their own lives.
Suggestions for Pairing Contemporary Music and Canonical Literature
A list of songs that were inspired by reading literature. Organized by the last name of the author (e.g. Chinua Achebe, William Butler Yeats), the list includes song title, performer, year of release, and more. The list includes 16 songs inspired by
The Great Gatsby
.
Vocabulary from
The Great Gatsby
Words are presented in context and with definitions. Click on the word for its pronunciation, synonyms, examples of use, more.
Vocabulary from
The Great Gatsby
List of words, worksheets, multiple choice test, and writing prompt. 27 pages; Adobe Reader required for access.
Writing About Literature
This page offers several suggestions for writing about literature in general; scroll down a little to find 9 daily journal prompts related to
The Great Gatsby
.
Other Stories
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Links to texts of most novels and stories. Download or read them online.
"Bernice Bobs her Hair"
Introduction and text of the story online, via Google Docs, or via PDF.
"The Ice Palace"
Extensive background information and text of the story online, via PDF, or via Google docs.
"Winter Dreams"
Text and questions for analysis. Handouts require Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.