John Steinbeck
Lesson plans and teaching resources
| Biography and Background | | Cannery Row | | East of Eden | | The Grapes of Wrath | | The Moon is Down | | Of Mice and Men | | The Pearl | | The Red Pony | | Short Stories | | Travels with Charley |
Biography and Background
John Steinbeck
Biography, links to other information.
Cannery Row
Cannery Row
Commentary and discussion questions.
Exploring Steinbeck's World through Words and Images
This unit is meant to build background knowledge before beginning to read Steinbeck. Students create pieces of knowledge in a variety of forms that foster a solid image-based understanding of Steinbeck and his world. The students will be encouraged to unlock Steinbeck's world through a host of activities and assignments that will help them to maintain a higher level of interest throughout the reading and simultaneously encourage higher-level learning and a broader knowledge base that will help them better analyze literature.
Tasting an Oxymoron
After reading the passage where Doc orders a beer milkshake, tastes it, then tells the waitress that it tastes okay, writers will brainstorm other "oxymorons in taste." Writers will choose one oxymoronic food to write about, then they will plan a three-part story where they order the concoction. As they draft and revise, writers will work on taste sensation words and details. This lesson focuses on organization and idea development.
A Teacher's Guide to the edition of
Cannery Row
Introduction, teaching suggestions, and follow-up activities. Access requires Adobe Reader or compatible application.
East of Eden
Click here: East of Eden lesson plans are on a separate page.
The Grapes of Wrath
Links for The Grapes of Wrath are on a separate page.
The Moon is Down
The Moon is Down
Learning activities here include graphic organizers for diagramming the plot; analyzing characters and conflicts; work with themes, motifs, and symbols; practice with rhetorical stragegies; and vocabulary.
Note: sponsored link.
Of Mice and Men
Click here: lesson plans for Of Mice and Men are on a separate page.
The Pearl
Lesson plans for The Pearl have been moved to a separate page.
The Red Pony
Teacher's Guide to
The Red Pony
Summary, analysis, and teaching suggestions. Requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.
Short Stories
John Steinbeck
Analytical commentary on "Flight" and other works, questions related to "Flight."
Travels with Charley
Travels with Charley
This Wikibooks site includes detailed summaries of each section, reading guide questions, and citations.
Travels with Charley
A list of 8 book-club-style discussion questions.
Vocabulary from
Travels with Charley
Words are presented in context and with definitions. Click on a word for pronunciation, examples of recent use, more.