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Lesson: The Great Gatsby
Author: Kristin R
Subject Area: Reading/Language Arts
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Introduction
The Great Gatsby is a glittering novel about the 'impossibly' wealthy class, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925. Fitzgerald called this time 'The Jazz Age'--an age of youth, wealth, music and excess-- wedged between the devastation of World War I and the Great Depression. ***Some chapters use Diigo, a free add-on to Firefox to highlight and put 'sticky notes' onto the text. Make sure to sign into your Diigo account to see these notes!***
Goals
To read, understand, and enjoy the novel, "The Great Gatsby" and connect the themes of the novel to the historical context.
Directions
Look through the Background Information sites before you start reading the novel. Then, as you read each chapter, use the reading strategy coaches in Strategy Tutor to respond to the strategy prompts in the text.
Background Builder 
Title:
F. Scott Fitzgerald
URL:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/fitzgerald_f_timeline_flash.html
Directions: What was F. Scott Fitzgerald's background and life like before and after he wrote 'The Great Gatsby?' Investigate this interactive time line to find out more.
Directions: What was F. Scott Fitzgerald's background and life like before and after he wrote 'The Great Gatsby?' Investigate this interactive time line to find out more.
Title:
Fiction or Fact?
URL:
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gatsby/context.html
Directions: Is 'The Great Gatsby' more fiction or fact? Find out about the events surrounding the creation of the novel and decide for yourself!
Directions: Is 'The Great Gatsby' more fiction or fact? Find out about the events surrounding the creation of the novel and decide for yourself!
Title:
The Roaring 20s
URL:
http://www.1920-30.com/
Directions: What was it like to live in the 1920's? Learn about Flappers, Fashion, Music, Politics--what it took to be 'in' in the Roaring 1920s.
Directions: What was it like to live in the 1920's? Learn about Flappers, Fashion, Music, Politics--what it took to be 'in' in the Roaring 1920s.
Vocabulary Builder 
Message: Use the 'Dictionary' button at the top of the page to look up at least 3 words per chapter that you want to know more about. Write the words and their definitions using the 'Journal.'
Vocabulary Words:
Vocabulary Words:
Activity: Chapter 1
URL 
Goals
Directions
As you read Chapter 1 you will see highlighted passages. Mouse over these passages to see a strategy prompt and question. Respond to the strategy prompt using Strategy Tutor. If you do not have Diigo: Make a PREDICTION after reading the first two paragraphs. Stop mid-way through the chapter and create a VISUALIZATION of the scene the narrator describes. When you need clarification, use the CLARIFY strategy to ask for help. Required Strategies for Chapter 1: PREDICT, VISUALIZE, CLARIFY.
Activity: Chapter 2
URL
Goals
Directions
Read Chapter 2, paying special attention to the difference in social and economic classes Fitzgerald portrays. Use the FEELING strategy to connect with the text and explain how you would feel if you were one of the characters in the book.
Activity: Chapter 3
URL
Goals
Directions
Read Chapter 3. When you finish the chapter, use the QUESTION strategy to ask a teacher-like question about the events, characters, or themes of the text. Make sure to include the answer to your question in your response!
Activity: Chapter 4
URL
Goals
Directions
Read Chapter 4. Use the SUMMARIZE strategy to recap what you know so far about the characters and any other details you want to remember about the story.
Activity: Chapter 5
URL
Goals
Start to connect the Background Information with events, themes and characters in the novel.
Directions
How does Fitzgerald's life and the 'Roaring '20s' connect with what you have read so far in this novel? Use the JOURNAL strategy to write down some of your ideas as you read this chapter.
Activity: Chapter 6
URL
Goals
Directions
As you read through Chapter 6, choose THREE reading strategies of your choice to respond to different parts of the text. Click on 'Strategy Help' for ideas of how, when and why to use differing strategies.
Activity: Chapter 7
URL
Goals
Directions
As you read Chapter 7, continue to use the JOURNAL strategy to note the connections you see between the novel and the time the novel was written. At the end of the chapter, stop and REFLECT on how you are changing or growing as a reader. What strategy are you particularly good at? What strategy would you like to get better at? In your response, think of a goal you would like to reach by the end of the novel.
Activity: Chapter 8
URL
Goals
Directions
Read Chapter 8 and use the reading strategies of your choice to respond to the text. Include in your response an explanation of why you decided to choose the particular strategy.
Activity: Chapter 9
URL
Goals
Directions
As you read Chapter 9, use the reading strategies of your choice to respond to the text. At the end of the chapter, SUMMARIZE the major events and themes of the novel, including the connections you see between this work of fiction, it's author and the 'Roaring '20s.' REFLECT on how you have changed as a reader. Did you meet the goals you set for yourself in Chapter 7? What did you do or what can you do to achieve those goals?
