The Great Gatsby
Themes:The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic literature novel, has the following theme(s):
http://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-great-gatsby
- The Roaring Twenties
- American Dream
- Class (Old Money, New Money, No Money)
- Past and Future
- Enduring Love
http://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-great-gatsby
Tasks: This is the second 30 hours of a 60 hour class. There are 12 tasks assigned. Each task has an estimated amount of time assigned to it. Some will take less time to complete a task and some may need more; however, if you are going over the amount of time assigned to "complete a task," there is a problem and you need to speak to me about it. Reasonable accommodations may be allowed. It is recommended that you do these tasks in order (except for Task 23 which is worked on every Wednesday for SSR).
FIT/Grammar: Activities assigned on a daily basis.
Task 1: Pretest
Completion time - ½ hour
Please complete the pretest BEFORE attempting ANY assignments. Please relax this will only test what you know at this point in time. You are graded for doing it regardless of your score.
Task 2: Background 1
Completion time - 1 hour
Watch: Crash Course History WWI and The Roaring '20s
From the WWI lesson, explain how the war changed American lives (think the theme of past and future). In the Roaring ‘20s lesson, choose one major change mentioned and explain how it changed the country.
Task 3: Background 2
Completion time - 2 hours
Watch the following video on the Harlem Renaissance. Choose one of the highlighted artists, research their life and write a 3-paragraph essay on that person. You may also research one of the music genres mentioned or choose one of the painters of the era.
Task 4: The Great Gatsby
Completion time - 10 hours
Online text Online audio Text with audio
Complete the study guide.
Task 5: Themes in modern non-fiction
Completion time - 2 hours
Read:
"The Fallacy of Success" or see Supplemental Reading Grade 11, pages 160-161.
"Can Money Buy You Happiness"
"What Money Can't Buy" Thai advertisement
As you read/watch these three short articles, think about Jay Gatsby. Write a three paragraph essay on:
What can money really buy and what power does it have over us?
Task 6: Essay
Completion time - 3 hours
Essay must be typed and submitted using Google Docs, unless you receive other instructions. You MUST DOUBLE-SPACE AND LEFT-JUSTIFY YOUR PAPER. You must complete the rubric handout and turn it in to have your essay graded. Essay must be at least 400 words and include examples from the book. Please note that the grading of your essay may take 24 hours or more. You may use the link from the OWL Lab for a complete understanding of what is involved in writing a persuasive/argumentative essay.
Choose 1 essay topic: DO NOT PLAGIARIZE.
Task 7: Exam
Completion time - 1 hour
Must achieve a 70% or greater to pass.
Task 8: Contemporary Fiction
Completion time - 12 hours
Read The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and write 200 word (minimum) essay or multimedia project with presentation.
What sacrifices do the characters in the novel make in pursuit of their dreams for themselves and for others? Do you think any characters sacrifice too much, or for the wrong reasons? Consider the sacrifices Mr. Okabe makes, for example, and those of Mr. Lee. Both fathers are acting for the sake of their children, yet the results are quite different. Why?
You must increase your TABE score to receive credit for this section.
Additional tasks may be assigned at teacher discretion.
FIT/Grammar: Activities assigned on a daily basis.
Task 1: Pretest
Completion time - ½ hour
Please complete the pretest BEFORE attempting ANY assignments. Please relax this will only test what you know at this point in time. You are graded for doing it regardless of your score.
Task 2: Background 1
Completion time - 1 hour
Watch: Crash Course History WWI and The Roaring '20s
From the WWI lesson, explain how the war changed American lives (think the theme of past and future). In the Roaring ‘20s lesson, choose one major change mentioned and explain how it changed the country.
Task 3: Background 2
Completion time - 2 hours
Watch the following video on the Harlem Renaissance. Choose one of the highlighted artists, research their life and write a 3-paragraph essay on that person. You may also research one of the music genres mentioned or choose one of the painters of the era.
Task 4: The Great Gatsby
Completion time - 10 hours
Online text Online audio Text with audio
Complete the study guide.
Task 5: Themes in modern non-fiction
Completion time - 2 hours
Read:
"The Fallacy of Success" or see Supplemental Reading Grade 11, pages 160-161.
"Can Money Buy You Happiness"
"What Money Can't Buy" Thai advertisement
As you read/watch these three short articles, think about Jay Gatsby. Write a three paragraph essay on:
What can money really buy and what power does it have over us?
Task 6: Essay
Completion time - 3 hours
Essay must be typed and submitted using Google Docs, unless you receive other instructions. You MUST DOUBLE-SPACE AND LEFT-JUSTIFY YOUR PAPER. You must complete the rubric handout and turn it in to have your essay graded. Essay must be at least 400 words and include examples from the book. Please note that the grading of your essay may take 24 hours or more. You may use the link from the OWL Lab for a complete understanding of what is involved in writing a persuasive/argumentative essay.
Choose 1 essay topic: DO NOT PLAGIARIZE.
- Write a persuasive/argumentative essay on: Is is possible to live the American Dream?
- Research income inequality. You must use and cite at least three sources.
Task 7: Exam
Completion time - 1 hour
Must achieve a 70% or greater to pass.
Task 8: Contemporary Fiction
Completion time - 12 hours
Read The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and write 200 word (minimum) essay or multimedia project with presentation.
What sacrifices do the characters in the novel make in pursuit of their dreams for themselves and for others? Do you think any characters sacrifice too much, or for the wrong reasons? Consider the sacrifices Mr. Okabe makes, for example, and those of Mr. Lee. Both fathers are acting for the sake of their children, yet the results are quite different. Why?
You must increase your TABE score to receive credit for this section.
Additional tasks may be assigned at teacher discretion.