John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath
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| The Grapes of Wrath E-Notes Lesson Plan A purchase of any one or more of the recommended lesson plans below includes access to the eNotes, quickNotes, and Salem on Literature for The Grapes of Wrath. |
American Writers: Interactive Scrapbook
Students explore Steinbeck's biography as well as influences on and effects of The Grapes of Wrath using an interactive scrapbook format. Separate sections are available for high school and middle school.
Captured: America in Color from 1939-1943
Color photographs of American life during the Depression.
Creating Dramatic Monologues from The Grapes of Wrath
Activities, adaptations, discussion questions, evaluation, extension, background and related links, and vocabulary. This standards-based lesson can be used with or without the video available from Discovery School.
Girl from iconic Great Depression photo: 'We were ashamed'
An interview with one of the daughters in the famous Dorothea Lange photograph "Migrant Mother."
The Grapes of Wrath
Historical background, author biography, related works, discussion questions, related resources, and a thorough teacher's guide. These materials were prepared as part of the NEA Big Read.
The Grapes of Wrath
A variety of reading strategies to accompany the novel, including an anticipation guide, KWHL, vocabulary, and a writing assignment based on the death of Grandpa.
The Grapes of Wrath: Google Lit Trips
This interactive unit will help students see the journey of the Joads both in terms of geography and events of the plot. Google Earth must be on your computer for this to work; the free version will do.
The Grapes of Wrath: Present at the Creation
Background information from NPR's Morning Edition. Includes several related links.
The Grapes of Wrath: Scrapbooks and Artifacts
Students use cultural artifacts mentioned in the novel to enhance their understanding of symbols and themes.
The Great Depression and the Arts" Film Study of The Grapes of Wrath
This 3-day unit uses the film as a primary source and asks students to analyze it as a "cultural document" of its time.
A Monster of a Metaphor
After analyzing Steinbeck's monster metaphor from chapter five of The Grapes of Wrath, student writers will talk about how someone develops the idea for an extended metaphor for a character or setting. Students then write their own extended metaphors, attempting to craft sentences that have a rhythm to them. This writing lesson focuses on idea development and sentence fluency.
A Multimedia Approach to The Grapes of Wrath
Pre-reading activities, critical lenses, drama, Socratic Seminar ideas, and more. Includes rubric. Adobe Reader or compatible application required for access to this 11-page document.
The Grapes of Wrath Vocabulary
A list of 40 words drawn from the text, with definitions. Access requires MS-Word or compatible application.
The Grapes of Wrath Vocabulary
Twenty words drawn from the text, identified by chapter and part of speech, and presented in the sentences in which they appear. Students provide definitions. Access requires MS-Word or compatible application.
Suggestions for Pairing Contemporary Music and Canonical Literature
A list of songs that were inspired by reading literature. Organized by the last name of the author (e.g. Chinua Achebe, William Butler Yeats), the list includes song title, performer, year of release, and more. The list includes 7 titles inspired by The Grapes of Wrath.
Teacher's Guide to The Grapes of Wrath
This 6-page guide includes some historical background, prereading activities, comprehension questions, questions for discussion and writing, suggestions for research. Requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.
Teaching The Grapes of Wrath With The New York Times
A wealth of resources: historical background, articles about the author, related contemporary articles, even a crossword puzzle.
Vocabulary from The Grapes of Wrath
A list of 137 words with definitions and use in the novel.
Woody Guthrie and The Grapes of Wrath from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Students examine thematic parallels between Guthrie's music and Steinbeck's writing, look at both in the context of their time, and influences on later writers. Lyrics and music not available at this site.
