Great Gatsby Prior Knowledge

October 15, 2015

E.Q: Determine the historical events that influenced major ideas and themes in the Great Gatsby.

Obj: I can understand historical events that influenced the novel the Great Gatsby. 

Starter:

For your starter today, please respond to the questions in the Google Form.

Answer as honestly and in as much detail as possible.

Great Gatsby Pre-Assessment

Vocabulary:

Literary Term: American Dream
Part of Speech: Noun
Dictionary Definition: the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative

James Truslow Adam's Definition: that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position

Your Definition:
Activity: Give an example of the American Dream.

Activity:

1.  Defining the American Dream

What is the American Dream?

What does this look like for you?

Go to your assignment folder, and open up your dream paper from the beginning of the semester.

Create a poster that portrays your American Dream.

You may do this on the big paper or using CheckThis.

Include:

A detailed description of what your dream is.

An illustration/image that depicts your dream.

We will have a gallery walk to share our dreams.

2.  Building Background Knowledge

You will be divided into 5 different groups.
Each group will be in charge of researching a major contributing factor to the Great Gatsby.

The Jazz Age

Jazz Standards 
PBS the Jazz Age


Prohibition
History 
Smithsonian
DigitalHistory


The New Woman
Sophisticated Ladies 
DigitalHistory
USHistory
Flappers

World War I
History 
Topics

The American Dream
CNN 
NY Times

You will present this information to the class.
Include a minimum of at least 5 facts about your topic.
A video that supports your topic.
 A few photos that represent your topic. 

Closure:

What is your opinion on the American Dream?