The Dream that Recedes Before Us: The Past and The American Dream in The Great Gatsby

Build background knowledge on the role of money and class in the Roaring Twenties and today.

“F. Scott Fitzgerald: Great American Writer”
“The top 1%: Should wealth have its limits?”

Standards

RI.11-12.2RI.11-12.6

Research Writing

Gather, evaluate, and take notes on sources about assigned research topic.

Research Presentation Prompt, Topics, and Rubric
Research Presentation Note-Taking Graphic Organizer (G11, U2, L2)
Guide for Determining Credibility and Usefulness

Standards

W.11-12.7W.11-12.8

Research Writing

Determine subtopics and organization of slideshow presentation.

Research Mentor Presentation (G11, U2)

Standards

W.11-12.2W.11-12.4W.11-12.5W.11-12.7W.11-12.8

Research Writing

Finalize the slideshow presentation and present to classmates.

Research Mentor Presentation (G11, U2)
Research Presentations Graphic Organizer (G11, U2, L4)
Index card

Standards

SL.11-12.4SL.11-12.5W.11-12.2W.11-12.2.aW.11-12.2.bW.11-12.2.cW.11-12.6

Analyze narration in The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 1, pp. 1–6

Standards

RL.11-12.4RL.11-12.6

Analyze how Fitzgerald uses diction and characterization to portray "old" money.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 1, pp. 7–21

Standards

RL.11-12.3RL.11-12.4

Analyze how Fitzgerald uses setting, narration, and characterization to make a social commentary.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 2, pp. 23–38
Symbolism Tracker (G11, U2)

Standards

RL.11-12.3RL.11-12.4RL.11-12.6

Analyze Fitzgerald's use of diction to create mood.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 3, pp. 39–59
Language Sensitivity Analysis Handout (G11, U2, L8)

Standards

L.11-12.5.bRL.11-12.4W.11-12.3.d

Writing

Brainstorm a setting and its details for a mood writing exercise.

The Great Gatsby — p. 40
Mood Writing Prompt and Criteria for Success
Mood Prewriting Activity (G11, U2, L9)
Mood Prewriting Activity Sample Response (G11, U2, L9)

Standards

RL.11-12.4W.11-12.3.dW.11-12.5

Writing

Create mood through diction and syntax.

Mood Writing Prompt and Criteria for Success

Standards

L.11-12.3L.11-12.3.aW.11-12.10W.11-12.3.dW.11-12.4

Analyze how Fitzgerald develops Gatsby's character using a nonlinear structure.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 4, pp. 61–80
Symbolism Tracker (G11, U2)
Who is Gatsby? Graphic Organizer (G11, U2, L11)

Standards

RL.11-12.3RL.11-12.5RL.11-12.6

Analyze how Fitzgerald uses symbolism and subtext in the reunion scene between Gatsby and Daisy.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 5, pp. 81–96
Symbolism Tracker (G11, U2)

Standards

RL.11-12.2RL.11-12.4RL.11-12.6

Analyze two editorials for perspectives about the American dream.

“The American Dream Is Alive and Well”
“Is The American Dream Over?”
The American Dream Graphic Organizer (G11, U2, L13)

Standards

RI.11-12.2RI.11-12.6

Analyze how Fitzgerald develops themes about the American dream through Gatsby's past and the conflict between old and new money.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 6, pp. 97–111
Symbolism Tracker (G11, U2)

Standards

RL.11-12.3RL.11-12.4

Analyze the context of Coates's letter to his son and how it conveys his message about the American dream.

Excerpt from "Letter to My Son" — paragraphs 1–7

Standards

RI.11-12.2RI.11-12.6

Analyze how diction and imagery develop Coates's central idea.

Excerpt from "Letter to My Son" — paragraphs 8–13

Standards

RI.11-12.2RI.11-12.4RI.11-12.6

Analyze how Fitzgerald develops the climax of The Great Gatsby and makes a gender commentary.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 7, pp. 113–136

Standards

RL.11-12.3RL.11-12.4RL.11-12.5

Analyze how Fitzgerald uses structure and symbolism to develop the novel's climax.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 7, pp. 136–145
Symbolism Tracker (G11, U2)

Standards

RL.11-12.3RL.11-12.5

Analyze how Fitzgerald uses diction and symbolism to develop themes about the past and the American dream.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 8, pp. 147–162
Symbolism Tracker (G11, U2)

Standards

RL.11-12.2RL.11-12.4

Analyze symbolism and mood in the final chapter of The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby — Chapter 9, pp. 163–180

Standards

RL.11-12.2RL.11-12.4RL.11-12.5RL.11-12.6

Socratic Seminar

Engage in a Socratic seminar about The Great Gatsby by supporting arguments with strong textual evidence.

The Great Gatsby
Sentence Stems for Academic Discourse

Standards

SL.11-12.1.aSL.11-12.1.bSL.11-12.1.cSL.11-12.1.dSL.11-12.4

Performance Task

Prepare for the graphic map performance task by discussing how Fitzgerald uses symbols to develop themes in The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby
Chart paper
Colored markers
Symbolism Tracker (G11, U2)

Standards

L.11-12.5RL.11-12.2SL.11-12.1

Performance Task

Create a plan for the graphic map performance task.

Graphic Map Brainstorm Graphic Organizer (G11, U2, L23)
Mentor Graphic Map and Rationale (G11, U2)

Standards

RL.11-12.2SL.11-12.1W.11-12.5

Performance Task

Create a graphic map that illustrates a theme from The Great Gatsby and write a rationale of your graphic map choices.