Why teach this?
Sure, The Great Gatsby is a great novel, but does it represent what life was like for everybody? If it
doesn’t, then at the very least, it alludes to an intangible concept –the pursuit of the American dream –
of what life could be… if only…
The gap between the wealthy and the poor has always had a tendency to rub the “have-nots” in a
wistful, and often wrong, way. It is easy to see how obsession and greed can consume individuals no
matter the time period, as status and the importance of perceptions is something that influences society
so greatly. Students will relate the social struggles of the characters in Fitzgerald’s novel to their desires
for popularity and increased social status which are so heavily apparent in adolescence and schools
today.
"While you're reading The Great Gatsby, it is a novel of its time; after reading, it is a novel for all times"
-David Dowling, author of The Great Gatsby in the Classroom: Searching for the American Dream
Sure, The Great Gatsby is a great novel, but does it represent what life was like for everybody? If it
doesn’t, then at the very least, it alludes to an intangible concept –the pursuit of the American dream –
of what life could be… if only…
The gap between the wealthy and the poor has always had a tendency to rub the “have-nots” in a
wistful, and often wrong, way. It is easy to see how obsession and greed can consume individuals no
matter the time period, as status and the importance of perceptions is something that influences society
so greatly. Students will relate the social struggles of the characters in Fitzgerald’s novel to their desires
for popularity and increased social status which are so heavily apparent in adolescence and schools
today.
"While you're reading The Great Gatsby, it is a novel of its time; after reading, it is a novel for all times"
-David Dowling, author of The Great Gatsby in the Classroom: Searching for the American Dream
Resources:
http://www.awaytoteach.net/?q=node/5555
(This website includes just bit and pieces of activities and intros to The Great Gatsby by teachers, for
teachers.)
http://cte.jhu.edu/techacademy/web/2000/kajder/wqmain.html
WebQuests are so trendy right now, and for good reason. These activities are student centered, and
rely on a combination of cooperative learning groups and individual work. This WebQuest is centered
on the American dream, and includes tasks for students to obtain pictures, poetry, audio and visuals of
items that exemplify the American dream.
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/fitzgerald.html
This is your one stop shop for teaching The Great Gatsby. This site includes multiple unit plans for ESL
learners, treasure hunts, a link to the whole book online separated chapter by chapter (put this on your
class website and students can’t say they didn’t do their homework because they forgot their book at
school), close readings, time lines, additional primary resources, vocabulary practice, reading strategies,
guided imagery, the list goes on and on.
(This website includes just bit and pieces of activities and intros to The Great Gatsby by teachers, for
teachers.)
http://cte.jhu.edu/techacademy/web/2000/kajder/wqmain.html
WebQuests are so trendy right now, and for good reason. These activities are student centered, and
rely on a combination of cooperative learning groups and individual work. This WebQuest is centered
on the American dream, and includes tasks for students to obtain pictures, poetry, audio and visuals of
items that exemplify the American dream.
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/fitzgerald.html
This is your one stop shop for teaching The Great Gatsby. This site includes multiple unit plans for ESL
learners, treasure hunts, a link to the whole book online separated chapter by chapter (put this on your
class website and students can’t say they didn’t do their homework because they forgot their book at
school), close readings, time lines, additional primary resources, vocabulary practice, reading strategies,
guided imagery, the list goes on and on.