The Grapes of Wrath as an American Story: Using The Grapes of Wrath as a Lens for Looking at American History and Issues in America Today Susan Pellecchia Graduate Student NEH Steinbeck Institute 2013 Title of Central Text: Steinbeck, J. (1939). The grapes of wrath. New York: Penguin. Additional Shillinglaw, S. (2011). A journey into Steinbeck’s California. Berkeley, CA: Roaring Forties Press. Steinbeck, J. (1989). Working days: The journals of the grapes of wrath. New York: Penguin. Steinbeck, J. (2002). The harvest gypsies: Squatters’ camps. In S. Shillinglaw and J. Benson (Eds.), (pp. 78-82). New York: Penguin. America and the Americans Steinbeck, J. (2002). Starvation under the orange trees. In S. Shillinglaw and J. Benson (Eds.), America and the Americans (pp. 82-87). New York: Penguin. Essential Question (s): How is The Grapes of Wrath truly an American story? In what ways is this text more than just the of the Joads? What other historical moments does the plight of the Joads during the Dust Bowl parallel? What examples of injustice exist in the world today and what should be done? Grade level: 11 Context: American History Classroom (Parts can be used in English classroom as well) Overview: The Grapes of is a text that does more than tell the story of one family. It is a universal story that touches on many important themes in American history. John Steinbeck wrote this text in order to create change and improve the lives of the migrants of the Dust Bowl. Steinbeck’s conviction and commitment to address the lives of the marginalized is an important lesson for today’s students. This lesson is designed for use at the end of the school year upon completion of the American history curriculum. The goal is to draw connections from The Grapes of Wrath to important themes in American history. In addition, this lesson seeks to promote concerns for social justice and prepare students for assuming their roles as active citizens in a democracy. Objectives:
The Grapes of Wrath as an American Story: Using The Grapes of Wrath as a Lens for Looking at American History and Issues in America Today Susan Pellecchia Graduate Student NEH Steinbeck Institute 2013 Title of Central Text: Steinbeck, J. (1939). The grapes of wrath. New York: Penguin. Additional Shillinglaw, S. (2011). A journey into Steinbeck’s California. Berkeley, CA: Roaring Forties Press. Steinbeck, J. (1989). Working days: The journals of the grapes of wrath. New York: Penguin. Steinbeck, J. (2002). The harvest gypsies: Squatters’ camps. In S. Shillinglaw and J. Benson (Eds.), America and the Americans (pp. 78-82). New York: Penguin. Steinbeck, J. (2002). Starvation under the orange trees. In S. Shillinglaw and J. Benson (Eds.), America and the Americans (pp. 82-87). New York: Penguin. Essential Question (s): How is The Grapes of Wrath truly an American story? In what ways is this text more than just the of the Joads? What other historical moments does the plight of the Joads during the Dust Bowl parallel? What examples of injustice exist in the world today and what should be done? Grade level: 11 Context: American History Classroom (Parts can be used in English classroom as well) Overview: The Grapes of is a text that does more than tell the story of one family. It is a universal story that touches on many important themes in American history. John Steinbeck wrote this text in order to create change and improve the lives of the migrants of the Dust Bowl. Steinbeck’s conviction and commitment to address the lives of the marginalized is an important lesson for today’s students. This lesson is designed for use at the end of the school year upon completion of the American history curriculum. The goal is to draw connections from The Grapes of Wrath to important themes in American history. In addition, this lesson seeks to promote concerns for social justice and prepare students for assuming their roles as active citizens in a democracy. Objectives:
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