The Great Gatsby is a classic novel that is taught in English III (Junior English). We have two class sets that have to be divided among five teachers each semester, meaning that we struggle to juggle books!
We are a school of high poverty and diversity.
Many students will confess that they have never read a complete novel! Our school is focused on literacy, so we read much of the book aloud as a class, stopping frequently to check for understanding, since the language in this novel can be a bit difficult for some students to comprehend.
My Project
The Great Gatsby is one of my favorites to read and to teach, and we conclude the unit by watching a film, comparing it with the novel, and creating a new book cover or movie poster. Our focus for the semester is The American Dream.
Having our own class set will allow me to teach this novel when I need to, rather than when it is my turn for one of the department sets. It will also allow students to take the books home to catch up or re-read, if necessary.
If students can't read, they can't succeed.
Putting books into my students' hands helps them improve their reading skills, their vocabularies, and their critical thinking processes. Fitzgerald writes that Gatsby had "an extraordinary gift for hope" (6). I look forward to sharing the gift of Gatsby with my students.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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