aed 341 unit plan cover page

7/30/2019 AED 341 Unit Plan Cover Page

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Presented by: Heather Edmunds

On December 14, 2012

WHAT IS THE TRUE MEANING OF HAPPINESS?

A Thematic Unit on How to Achieve Happiness

For ELA 12


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Table of Contents

1) Table of contents

2-4) Overview

5-6) Text Set and Annotated Bibliography

7-19) Unit Plan Schedule and Standards

20-22) Guided Reading Questions

23-25) Culminating Project Handout

26) Culminating Project Rubric


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Overview

Summary:

While studying our anchor text The Great Gatsby, students will learn the roles that love and

money play in achieving the American dream. We will study where the American dream

originated and its role in The Great Gatsby. Then, we will study various examples of how-to

articles and students will create their own article that answers the question: What does it mean

to truly achieve success and happiness? Their article must include the purpose in writing this

(what are they instructing people to do) and what things must be disregarded in ones journey to

success and happiness.

Overarching Essential Understanding: Having the ability to write a how to article is an

interesting way to show what you have been studying and to motivate others to understand your

research.

Essential Understanding: A person can be wealthy beyond belief and show off their money to

great extents. They can be popular, majestic and honorable, but if they dont have their one true

desire, in this case love, they essentially have nothing. For them, the American dream cannot be

achieved.

Essential Question: What is the true meaning of happiness?

Rationale:

1) Administrators: Students will be able to search texts for meaning and perform analysis

of text, similar to what will be needed in assessments. Students will be able to make connections

between texts of different genres. Students will be creating and working with a genre of writing

that they may have never experienced in past ELA classes.

2) Students: As high school seniors, it is important for students to think about life

beyond your high school classroom. Thinking about a future goal in life is important and

interesting for them to think about. They will find that such articles can be very helpful in


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finding out information on many topics. It is important to know how to study multiple texts and

to be able to construct your own idea and text from what you have studied.

3) My colleagues: Students will receive practice analyzing texts and relating it to others.

They will also practice a new genre of writing that may spark their interest in continuing in the

future. Also students will be able find meanings in a text and perform analysis.

Project-based learning:

This is a culminating project that students will find interesting and helpful becausethey

are writing about something relatable to their future. They will be more motivated to put forth

the effort as the project relates to them and their desires and opinions. Not to mention, other

people outside of the school will be reading it so they will want to have a writing piece that is a

good reflection on them.

Interdisciplinary justification:

This project is also incorporating history, as we are going to study the background of the

American dream. Another factor involving history is that the novel is set in the 1920s this is a

very stimulating era in our nations past. We are bringing our project out of the classroom by

putting it out for display to our entire school and the local and online communities.

Respect for difference:

Students will get a chance to hear the opinions of their peers, all of which will have their

own feelings on the topic and part of their assessment is how well they respect other people.

With The Great Gatsby, we are exploring the lives of characters that live different lifestyles than

all of the students would themselves. Also, by including different genres in the text set, I amtrying to stimulate comfort among all students learning interests.


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Assessments:

Students will show an analysis of the material by applying what they have comprehended

from the texts to create their own text. Students will be able to make a formal article proving

their precise thought and focus on achieving happiness. Students will also be assessed on their

dedication to the revision process, including peer editing and teacher-student conferences.

Students will be assessed on their presentation of their article in any of the four publication sites.


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Text Set

Anchor text:

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 2004. Print.

Supporting texts:

Coppola, Francis Ford. The Great Gatsby. Jack Clayton. Robert Redford,Mia Farrow. F. Scott Fitzgerald, 29 March 1974. Paramount Pictures.

Videocassette.

The beloved film The Great Gatsby has remained famous for decades. Audienceslove seeing the renowned novel come to life in this film by wonderfully accredited

director, Francis Ford Coppola. Starring the handsome well-known Robert Redford

as Jay Gatsby himself, the movie is a delight.

o This is the film version of the novel though it has similarities and differencesto the novel. We will examine these focusing specifically on the depiction of

the American dream in the film. Students will be able to study what standsout in the movie as symbols of success and happiness.

Robinson, Edwin Arlington. Richard Cory. The Children of the Night. 1897.

Print.

The poem Richard Cory is about a man who lives an extremely affluent life and it

envied by all. His life however, ends as a result of his depression for not achieving

happiness.

o This is a poem that discusses a man named Richard Cory who is extremelywealthy like Gatsby and his admired yet envied for his luxurious lifestyle

although, he ends up killing himself because he is not happy in life with only

his money to comfort him. Students will examine what Richard Cory lacked


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and why. Students should then be able to relate the life of Richard Cory to

Gatsbys life. They can compare what both men have and do not have.

Wood, Sally. Prepare for College: Planning Ahead Pays Off.Collegeview.com. Hobsons, Inc. 2012. Web.

This is a how to article about preparing for college. It gives important information

that adolescents should know as they prepare to apply for college.

o This article will be used in our unit for the purposes of providing students withan example of a how to article so that they can write their own.


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Unit Plan Schedule

Week 1

Monday Topical Essential Question

What was the mostimportant goal forAmericans in the 1920s?

Lesson

Introduce anchortext, author and

our countryshistory, explaining

where it came

from and how it

became important

for people to

achieve it.

Followed by

explanation of

how The Great

Gatsby is a

famous text that

displays life in the

1920s and how

important theAmerican dream

was.

Topical Essential

Understanding

Achieving theAmerican Dream

was the most

important goal in

the 1920s.

Homework

None

Common Core

Standards

Making connect

between self, tex

and the world ar

them (text, medi

and social

interaction).


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Tuesday Topical Essential Question

How does critically reading

a novel help with your

construction of other texts?

Lesson

Students will learn

how to analyze

texts critically and

to pay attention to

detail.

Topical Essential

Understanding

If you are a critical

reader, you will

know what your

readers will belooking for when

they read your text.

Homework

Read chapter

1 and answer

the guided

reading

questions.

Common Core

Standards

Read, annotate,

analyze informa

texts on topics reto diverse and

nontraditional

cultures and

viewpoints.

Wednesday Topical Essential Question

How would a distressedlifestyle of a wealthy

couple influence you to

write an article on how toachieve authentic

happiness?

Lesson

Go overcharacterization

and how

Fitzgeraldconstructed Tom

and Daisyscharacters.

Topical Essential

Understanding

Recognizing

depression in thelife of a wealthy

couple will prove

that money cannot

buy happiness.

Also, in other

classes, you canstudy the way

authors describe

people such ashistorical figures

and what that

means for their

representation in

history.

Homework

Read chapter2 and answer

the guided

readingquestions.

Common Core

Standards

Develop factual

interpretive, and

evaluative quest

for further

exploration of th

topic(s).

Adapt voice, awar

of audience, and u

language toaccommodate a v

of cultural contex


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Thursday Topical Essential Question

How does a writers abilityto keep their audience in

mind help them construct

their work?

How will the skill ofconsidering your audience

influence you as you write

your how to article?

Lesson

Students will learn

how the intended

audience of a text

influences the

authors writing.

Topical Essential

Understanding

A writer must have

an intended

audience if they are

going to write an

article that is tryingto teach or

persuade someone.

If they dont thinkabout who will be

reading their work,

it will not be as

effective.

Homework

Read chapter

3 and answer

the guided

reading

questions.

Common Core

Standards

Produce clear an

coherent writing

which thedevelopment,

organization, an

style are appropr

to task, purpose,

audience.

Friday Topical Essential Question

What makes a good titlefor an article?

Lesson

Learn how towrite a catchy

title.

Write a title thatyou could use if

you were to write

about the chapter

you read for

homework.

Topical EssentialUnderstanding

A catchy title must

be something that

gets your readersinterested but

doesnt tell themtoo much about

what you are going

to say.

Homework

Read chapter4 and answer

guided

readingquestions.

Begin

thinking

about your

opinion of

whatachieving

success and

happinessmeans.

Common Core

Standards

Produce clear an

coherent writing

which the

development,

organization, an

style are appropr

to task, purpose,

audience.

Week 2


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Why is it important to

brainstorm ideas before

you write?

Lesson

Students will

brainstorm ideas

about what it

really means to

achieve happiness,with a discussion

on whether or not

they believe

Gatsby is living

the American

Dream.

Topical Essential

Understanding

It is important to

brainstorm before

writing so that you

can figure out what

you know about thetopic before you

begin writing. It is

also helpful to

work

collaboratively

with your peers to

collect your

thoughts and help

each other.

Homework

Read the

poem

RichardCory.

Common Core

Standards

Develop factual,

interpretive, and

evaluative questiofurther exploratio

the topic(s).

Produce clear and

coherent writing i

which the develop

organization, and

are appropriate to

purpose, and audi


Why is it useful to examine

a topic from different kinds

of texts?

Lesson

Go over RichardCory and discusswhy it was useful

to compare a

similar topic

between two

different texts, a

novel and a poem.

Topical Essential

Understanding

Studying the same

topic from two

different genres is

useful in examining

point of view and a

different

perspective than

the reader had

before. It may shed

some light on newideas.

Homework

Read chapter

5 and answer

the guided

reading

questions.

Common Core

Standards

Develop factual,

interpretive, and

evaluative questio

further exploratio

the topic(s).

Produce clear and

coherent writing i

which the develop

organization, and

are appropriate to

purpose, and audi


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Why is it important to have

background knowledge of

what you are reading about

before you work with a

text?

Lesson

Students will learn

how to break

down a text to

figure out the

reality from themake-belief and to

use that in creating

a text of their own.

Topical Essential

Understanding

In the concept of

writing a how to

article, it is

important to

deconstruct a textlike The Great

Gatsby to be able

to use the

appropriate

information to

construct the ideas

you are trying to

relay in your

article. This same

concept can be

used when writing

a paper for historyor another subject.

Homework

None

Common Core

Standards

Respond to literat

employing knowl

of literary languagtextual features, a

forms to read and

comprehend, refle

upon, and interpre

literary texts from

variety of genres

wide spectrum of

American and wo

cultures


Why is it essential to have

factual, trustworthy

databases to research from?

Lesson

Students will learn

how to find

trustworthy

databases to get

research from and

will practice usingthem in a

computer lab inclass to research

other peopleswriting about The

Great Gatsby,

such as critical

essays.

Topical Essential

UnderstandingIf you are going to

publishing your

writing for other

people to read, you

want to make sure

you only haveaccurate

information.

Homework

Do a little

research on

The GreatGatsby.

Come to class

prepared totell me what

the genre ofthe novel is.

Common Core

Standards

Draw evidence f

literary or

informational te

support analysis

reflection, and

research.


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know what genre you are

reading from?

Lesson

We will be

defining A Novel

of Manners. This

is the genre of our

anchor text andthey will be able

to get an

understanding of

the 1920s era and

the social world

that Fitzgerald re-

created in his

novel.

Topical Essential

Understanding

It is important to

know the genre

because it gives

more information

about the authorsbasis for writing.

Understanding that

this novel is

Fitzgeralds way ofre-creating the

social world of the

1920s will help

them in writing

their article about

the true meaning of

happiness and how

it was an allusionin this era in our

nations history.

Homework

Read chapter

6 and answer

the guided

reading

questions.

Common Core

Standards

Make connections

between self, text

the world around (text, media, socia

interaction).

Create poetry, sto

plays, and other li

forms (e.g. videos

work).

Explore and inqui

into areas of inter

formulate an argu

Week 3



compare and contrast anovel with the film

adaptation?

Lesson

Watch the first

half of the film

The Great Gatsby.

Take notes duringthe film on

symbols that stand

out to you asrepresentations of

characters success

and happiness.

Topical Essential

Understanding

Studying the

similarities anddifferences

between a noveland a film will

provide extra

perspectives aboutthe topic at hand.

Homework

Write a

coupleparagraphs

about thesimilarities

and

differencesthat you can

notice

between the

novel and the

film thus far.

Common Core

Standards

Respond to literat

employing knowl

of literary languagtextual features, a

forms to read and

comprehend, refle

upon, and interpre

literary texts from

variety of genres

wide spectrum of

American and wo

cultures


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Why is a share-outclassroom activity helpful?

Lesson

Students will get

into groups and

share their

responses to the

similarities anddifferences they

found between the

novel and the film.

Then we will get

together as a class

and share all

together.

Topical Essential

Understanding

The collaboration

of every studentsideas is comforting

to students because

it helps processthoughts on the

topic and their

collaboration will

help them

distinguish what is

representing true

happiness and

success.

Homework

Read chapter

7 and answer

he guided

reading

questions.

Common Core

Standards

Adapt voice, awar

of audience, and u

language toaccommodate a v

of cultural contex

Explore and inqui

into areas of inter

formulate an argu


How can performing skits

with your class be helpful

in your study of a topic?

Lesson

Students will write

out a skit in a

group of four that

displays their idea

of something that

adds to a true

meaning of

success and

happiness. It can

be about achieving

a great love, etc.

Topical Essential

Understanding

Skits are helpful

with putting

yourself in

anothers shoes.Whether it be a

historical figure, a

fictional character

or otherwise.

Homework

Read chapter

8 and answer

the guided

reading

questions.

Practice your

part for your

group skit.

Common Core

Standards

Develop a perspec

or theme supporte

relevant details.

Draw evidence fro

literary or

informational text

support analysis,

reflection, and res


How is putting yourself in

an authentic situation help

with developing yourideas?

Lesson

Students will take

10 minutes to

rehearse their skitin their groups and

the rest of the

class will be

devoted to

performances.Groups must take

notes on each

others skits.

Topical Essential

UnderstandingThis task is helpful

in creating a sense

of community withyour peers and

understanding their

points of view

because it might

help you withfinding your

position on the

topic.

Homework

Read chapter

9 and answer

the guidedreading

questions.

Common Core

Standards

Develop a perspec

or theme supporte

relevant details.

Explore and inqui

into areas of inter

formulate an argu

Draw evidence fro

literary orinformational text

support analysis,

reflection, and res


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How does finding a

conclusion different than

the one you were expecting

affect your feelings on the

topic?

Lesson

Finish watching

the movie,

students will be

taking notes while

watching the film.

Topical Essential

Understanding

Examining the

results to

characters actionswill help formulate

an idea of good andbad choices.

Homework

Re-write an

ending to the

novel. What

might have

Gatsbys lifeturned out if

he were able

to win over

Daisy?

Common Core

Standards

Make connections

between self, text

the world around (text, media, socia

interaction).

Week 4


Why is a pair-share activity

helpful after you write?

Lesson

Get together with a

partner and share

your new endings to

the novel with each

other. Your partnershould be able to

understand what

went differently in

your ending and how

it specifically

changed Gatsbysfeelings and lifestyle.

Topical EssentialUnderstandingWorking with a

partner will help

you find out if you

were able to get

your point across toan audience. If

your partner

doesnt understandyour writing and

cannot answer

these questions,your writing was

not as effective as

it could have been.

Homework

None

Common CoreStandards

Seek to understan

communicate with

individuals from

different perspect

and cultural

backgrounds.


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What do you have to

consider when you write a

specific kind of text?

Lesson

Students will learn

how to write in an

article format.

Format should be

in columns withappropriate

headings for each

paragraph. Your

purpose for

writing must be

clearly stated.

Topical Essential

Understanding

You must keep the

genre in mind. If

you are writing an

article you have to

write in thatformat. You need

to keep your

purpose for writing

in mind as well.

This should be a

skill for writing in

any subject.

Homework

Read Sally

Woodsarticle,

Prepare forCollege:

PlanningAhead Pays

Off.Underline and

circle things

you think are

important for

an

instructional

article to

include.

Common Core

Standards

Recognize and

illustrate social,

historical, and culfeatures in the

presentation of lit

texts.

Adapt voice, awar

of audience, and u

language to

accommodate a v

of cultural contex


Why is it necessary to

search for correlation in

multiple texts of the same

genre?

Lesson

Class will go over

what pieces of

information must

be included in a

how to article and

why.

Topical Essential

Understanding

It is necessary to

look for correlation

among these texts

so that when you

create one yourself,

you are able to

include those key

pieces of

information.

Homework

Begin writing

the first draft

of your article

on how to

achieve the

true meaning

of success

and

happiness.

Common Core

Standards

Use their experien

and their knowled

language and logi

well as culture, to

analytically, addre

problems creative

and advocate

persuasively.

Draw evidence fro

literary or

informational text

support analysis,

reflection, and res


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Why is it important to have

class time to work on

assignments?

Lesson

Work in class on

finishing up the

first draft of your

article. You may

ask the teacher forhelp if needed.

Topical Essential

Understanding

It is important

because it is a quiet

time to work on

something that will

be your main focus.You will not be

able to do other

things as the

teacher will not

allow it. You will

have the teacher

and your peers

there to help if

needed.

Homework

Finish the

first draft of

your article at

home.

Common Core

Standards

Produce text (pr

nonprint) thatexplores a variet

cultures and

perspectives.


Why is peer editing

helpful?

Lesson

Work with a

partner and read

your article aloud

to each other.

Topical Essential

UnderstandingWorking with

another student,

you will hear your

writing out loud

and it is helpful in

noticing where you

made errors. Then

your partner is

there to help you

correct them and to

suggest advice on

ways to improveyour writing.

Homework

Working on

revising your

draft from the

comments

your partner

suggested and

make changes

where you

see fit.

Common Core

Standards

Develop and

strengthen writin

needed by plann

revising, editing

rewriting, or tryi

new approach.

Week 5


Why is it useful to go over

your writing with a teacher

before you submit the final

draft?

Lesson

Work on

continuing to

revise your

articles, if you

want to pair-up

again with adifferent partner to

share you can do

that as well. I will

be calling studentsup one by one to

go over their

article with them

for a couple

Topical Essential

Understanding

The teacher knows

what a good article

should look like

and this is your

opportunity to

revise it ifnecessary before

your writing gets

submitted for

everyone to see.

Homework

Make

corrections

that the

teacher

suggested, be

ready to handin your final

copy.

Common Core

Standards

Develop and

strengthen writin

needed by plann

revising, editingrewriting, or tryi

new approach.


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minutes.


Why is it important that wereflect on our writing and

the processes we worked

with?

Lesson

Write a reflectionon your feelings

about this project.

What were theimportant things

that you mastered

to be able to write

your article?

What are you

going toremember from

this project that

will help you inthe future?

Topical EssentialUnderstanding

It is important towrite about how

you completed a

project because thisis the information

that you are going

to remember to use

in the future.

Homework

Finish yourreflection

piece if

needed.

Common Core

Standards

Make connections

between self, text

the world around

(text, media, socia

interaction).

Draw evidence fro

literary or

informational text

support analysis,

reflection, andresearch.


Why should we discuss our

writing process with our

class?

Lesson

Go around the

class and have

students discuss

anything they

would like to

share about their

article and what

they reflected onit.

Topical Essential

Understanding

This process is also

important in the

transfer of

information to

studentsmemories.

Considering this is

the informationthey are going to

remember, it is also

helpful in hearing

what their peers

learned from the

project.

Homework

Begin

thinking

about where

you would

like to submit

your article.

Common Core

Standards

Create and presen

text or art work in

response to literar

work:

1. Develop aperspective or the

supported by relev

details.

2. Recognize and

illustrate social,

historical, and cul


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features in the

presentation of lit

texts.


Why is a local newspaper

useful?

Lesson

Show students

how to submit

their writing to the

school newspaper,

and local

newspaper.

Topical Essential

UnderstandingThe local

newspaper is useful

because it has a

great deal of

information about

the area you live in

and it helps unite

members of a

community.

Homework

If you would

like to submit

your article to

one of the

newspapers,

do so.

Common Core

Standards

Seek to understan

communicate with

individuals from

different perspect

and cultural

backgrounds.

Seek to understan

other perspectives

cultures and

communicate

effectively with

audiences or

individuals from v

backgrounds.


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Why is it useful to know

how to navigate a website?

Lesson

Explore

teenink.comand

our class website.

Showing students

how to submittheir article online.

Topical Essential

Understanding

Many websites like

teenink.com are a

useful source to

submit your own

work. It isimportant for you

to know how to do

so.

Homework

Submit your

article on

either

teenink.com

or our classwebsite if you

would like

your article to

be viewable

online.

Common Core

Standards

Seek to understan

communicate with

individuals fromdifferent perspect

and cultural

backgrounds.

Seek to understan

other perspectives

cultures and

communicate

effectively with

audiences or

individuals from vbackgrounds.
http://www.teenink.com/submithttp://www.teenink.com/submithttp://www.teenink.com/submit


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Guided Reading Questions

Chapter 1 (Homework Tuesday, Week 1)

1.) Given the short description Nick gives of Gatsby in chapter one Gatsby, who represented everything

for which I have an unaffected scorn. If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then

there was something gorgeous about him, what do you expect Gatsbys character to be like?

2.) So far, what do you think of Tom and Daisys lifestyle?

3.) Examine the final paragraph of chapter one. How do you think Fitzgerald is trying to make readers

feel about Gatsbys character at this point in time?

Chapter 2 (Homework Wednesday, Week 1)

1.) Compare and contrast the characteristics of George Wilson to that of Tom Buchanan. How do these

characteristics reflect on each mans lifestyles?

2.) What do you think about Toms alternate life in New Y ork City with Myrtle? What does this reveal

about Toms character? Focus specifically on his living situation, the flashy party he and Myrtle have.

Chapter 3 (Homework Thursday, Week 1)

1.) Nick tells readers a lot more about Gatsbys property in chapter three, does that feed into the

expectations you had of his character from chapter one? Or does it do the opposite?

2.) Do you think Gatsbys party reflects positively or negatively on his character? Explain.

3.) Take a look at the car accident at the end of the party. What message is Fitzgerald trying to reveal in

this scene with the drunken carelessness of these party guests? What might it say about the upper class as

a whole in the era that is the Roaring Twenties?


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Chapter 4 (Homework Friday, Week 1)

1.) What stands out to you about Gatsbys past in the stories that he is telling Nick in chapter four? Do

they redirect any of your feelings of Gatsby from chapters one or three?

2.) Do you think that Gatsbys wealth is related to Meyer Wolfsheims shady deals?

3.) What does Gatsby desire most in life?

4.) Do you think Gatsby has achieved the American dream?


1) What do you think of Gatsbys eagerness to get Nick to help him meet with Daisy?2) What are your thoughts about Gatsby wanting to pay Nick to make the arrangement? Do you think

that is how Gatsby is used to dealing with things, to throw money into it?

3) By this time, it is clear to us that the image of Gatsbys arm stretched outward at t he green light washis way of reaching out for Daisy. At the end of chapter five, it is clear how long Gatsby has been

dreaming about being re-acquainted with Daisy, do you think it can become reality for him now that

he has met with and talked to her?

Chapter 6 (Homework Friday, Week 2)

1) Gatsby and Tom are both extremely wealthy men. Even so, what differences do you see betweenthem and how does that affect each of their lifestyles?

2) In chapter 6, Tom tries to tell Daisy that Gatsby earned his money through shady deals. Whatmessage is Tom trying to relay to Daisy to make Gatsby less attractive to her.

3) Why do you think that Tom thinks he is better than Gatsby? Does it mainly have to do with how theyacquired their wealth, as though Tom feels that Gatsby is less deserving of a luxurious lifestyle? Or

do you think he feels like he is better because he has Daisy and Gatsby doesnt?


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1) Why does Gatsby stop throwing lavish parties?2) What does this say about his goal in life?3) As the information about Daisys affair with Gatsby surfaces, we see Daisy siding more and more

with her husband Tom. Do you think Gatsby can still achieve his idea of the American dream, to

live happily ever after with Daisy?

4) What do you see happening for Gatsby in the future now that Tom and Daisy have reunited in the endof this chapter?

Chapter 8 (Homework Wednesday, Week 3)

1) What are your thoughts about the way Gatsby waited outside the Buchanans house for so long whilenothing happened?

2) How is this a reflection on Gatsbys life?3) Before Nick leaves Gatsby, he says to him, Theyre a rotten crowdYoure worth the whole damn

bunch put together. Nick says it was important for him to have said that because it was the only

compliment he had ever given him, this shows Nicks approval of Gatsby. If you were in Gatsbys

situation, how would you feel about Nick making this comment to you?

4) Following the event that occurs at the end of this chapter, what do you have to say about Gatsbysprogress in achieving his desired goal? What message is Fitzgerald trying to relay about the

American dream?

Chapter 9 (Homework Thursday, Week 3)

1) Given the lack of attendance at Gatsbys funeral, do you believe Gatsby gained love and acceptancefrom anyone in his life? Explain.

2) How far did Gatsbys wealth get him in life?


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What is Success?

In the course of the next five weeks, we will be reading The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott

Fitzgerald. This novel focuses on achieving the American dream. We will explore what this

means exactly and how the novel makes readers rethink the fantasy of the American Dream.

Following our reading of the text, we will decide what the true meaning of happiness and success

is and whether or not being wealthy is the biggest factor. Then, we will be writing a how to

article in order to instruct someone else how to achieve happiness. Once we have finished

writing and we go through the editing and revision processes, students will have the choice of

where to submit their writing.

You have the choice of submitting it to:

1. The school newspaper (there will be a limited number of spots available)2. The local newspaper (only a few will be chosen)3. Our class website4. Teenink.com


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What you will notice:

o Happiness and success have different meanings for different peopleo Love and Money are two HUGE factors that will affect ones opinion

What you will learn:

o How to write a how to articleo How to research efficiently and effectivelyo

How to take what you study from one text and use it in different situations

You will be assessed on the effort that you put forth on creating your article as that is

what I am really looking forEffort! I really want you to think about the factors that influence

happiness and success in life and the steps you have to take to achieve it. I will give you a grade

on your writing piece but you will have a lot of help from your peers and me in order to do a nice

job on your writing. As long as you show me you are trying, I will help you do well.

You will be able to self-assess yourself by your progression and improvement with your writing

and how well you understand the true meaning of happiness and success.

Standards that this project will meet:

Making connections between the self, text, and the world around you (text, media, socialinteraction).

Use the experience and knowledge of language and logic, as well as culture, to thinkanalytically, address problems creatively, and advocate persuasively.


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Develop factual, interpretive, and evaluative questions for further exploration of thetopic.

Read, annotate, and analyze informational texts on topics related to diverse andnontraditional cultures and viewpoints.

Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style areappropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, ortrying a new approach.

Produce text (print or nonprint) that explores a variety of cultures and perspectives.

Create and present a text or art work in response to literary work.


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Rubric

Below

Expectations

Approaching

Expectations

Meets

Expectations

Above

Expectations

Exceeding

Expectations

Spelling,Punctuation

and Grammar

10 or more

errors

6-9 errors 4-5 errors 2-3 errors One orfewer

errors

Title Title is missing Title is evidentbut doesnt

necessarily

relate to article

Title is evident

but is not precise

Title is evident

and precisely

defines the

articles motives

Title is

catchy,

precisely

defines

articles

motives

Purpose is notexplained

Relies on title toexplain purpose

of article

Articles purpose

is stated with

little detail

Describes thepurpose for the

article

explaining what

readers will be

able to

accomplish

Describesthe purpose

for writing,

explains

expected

outcome of

article and

explains their

intended

audience

Organizationof article

Paragraphs arenot in columns,non-consecutive

order ofparagraphs, noheadings areevident

Not veryorganized,consecutive order

is apparent butnot in all areas,no headings areevident

Neat,

organized

formatted into

columns

information is

in consecutive

order, minimal

headings are

evident

Neat, consecutiveorder andorganized

paragraphs intocolumns but lacksappropriateheadings

Neat, step-

by-step

format of

directions,consecutive

order, while

having

appropriate

separation

of

paragraphs

into

columns

with

appropriate

headings.

May include

bullet points

aed 341 unit plan cover page

Documents