"Gatsby's Glitz and Glam Adventure"

High School Grade Project 4 weeks

"Gatsby's Glitz and Glam Adventure"

Meghan C

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.7

D2.His.7.9-12

Self Directed Learning

Academic Mindset

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Purpose

This learning experience aims to deepen students' understanding of social and economic divisions through the lens of "The Great Gatsby" while fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By engaging with community partners and exploring real-world inequalities, students will connect literary themes to contemporary issues, enhancing their sense of identity and belonging. Through collaborative projects and reflective storytelling, students will develop self-directed learning competencies and present actionable community solutions, culminating in a dynamic exhibition that showcases their insights and proposals. Throughout the project, students will engage in self-assessment moments, allowing them to reflect on their learning progress and adjust their approaches as needed.

Learning goals

Students will analyze and compare the themes of social and economic divisions in The Great Gatsby with contemporary issues in their community, enhancing their understanding of historical and modern inequalities. They will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by creating actionable community proposals, supported by research and collaboration with local organizations. Through self-directed learning and reflection, students will build self-knowledge and academic mindset, fostering a sense of identity and belonging while engaging in meaningful community-based projects. Students will engage in regular self-assessment moments to evaluate their progress and adapt their learning strategies, ensuring a personalized and reflective learning journey.

Standards

[Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.9 - Demonstrate knowledge of eighteenth-, nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century foundational works of American literature, including how two or more texts from the same period treat similar themes or topics.
[Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.7 - Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment (e.g., Auden's "Musée des Beaux Arts" and Breughel's Landscape with the Fall of Icarus).
[National Council for the Social Studies] D2.His.7.9-12 - Explain how the perspectives of people in the present shape interpretations of the past.

Competencies

Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Students will create multimedia presentations comparing social and economic divisions in The Great Gatsby to those in their own community, integrating interviews with local leaders and community members as evidence. They will develop a community action plan addressing a specific social inequality, supported by research and data, with moments for self-assessment throughout the process. Additionally, students will compile a digital storytelling project featuring images, quotes, and personal reflections, highlighting connections between the novel's themes and their community experiences. These products will be showcased during the 'Gatsby Gala' through interactive booths and live presentations.

Launch

Begin the project with a 'Community Connections Workshop,' where students engage with local community leaders and service organizations to discuss modern social inequalities. Facilitate interactive discussions that draw parallels between the themes in The Great Gatsby and current community challenges. Incorporate self-assessment moments where students reflect on their understanding of the novel's themes and their relevance to their own community experiences, fostering a deeper connection to their sense of place and identity.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Gatsby Gala' where they present their community action plans through interactive booths. Each booth will feature visual aids, digital storytelling projects, and live presentations that connect The Great Gatsby's themes to modern social inequalities. Community members and partners will be invited to engage with students' proposals, offering feedback and fostering dialogue on the challenges and solutions presented. Throughout the event, students will conduct self-assessments, reflecting on their presentations and the feedback received to identify areas for personal growth and future improvement.

Learning Journey

Project Activities

Days 1 - 20

Milestone Activities

No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Project Launch: Community Connections Workshop Activity	Introduction to The Great Gatsby Activity Essential Question Exploration Activity	Analyzing Themes Activity Community Interview Planning Activity	Comparative Analysis: Artistic Mediums Activity Group Ideation Session Activity	Reflective Journaling Activity Planning and Research Activity
Preparation

Week 2	Day 6	Day 7	Day 8	Day 9	Day 10
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Exploring Historical Context Activity Group Discussion: Modern Inequalities Activity	Thematic Deep Dive: Class and Wealth Activity Community Interview Preparation Activity	Comparative Text Analysis Activity Drafting Interview Reports Activity	Critique and Feedback Session Activity Refining Community Action Plans Activity	Digital Storytelling Workshop Activity Presentation Skills Development Activity
Preparation

Week 3	Day 11	Day 12	Day 13	Day 14	Day 15
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Refined Action Plan Development Activity Digital Storytelling Workshop Activity	Data Collection and Analysis Activity Peer Feedback Session Activity	Interview Insights Integration Activity Preparation for Presentation Activity	Visual Aid Creation Activity Rehearsal and Revision Activity	Final Presentation Preparation Activity Reflective Journaling Activity
Preparation

Week 4	Day 16	Day 17	Day 18	Day 19	Day 20
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Final Presentation Rehearsal Activity Digital Storytelling Review Activity	Gatsby Gala Setup Activity Self-Reflection and Feedback Activity	Gatsby Gala Exhibition Activity	Post-Gala Reflection Activity Community Partner Feedback Session Activity	Project Debrief and Celebration Activity Future Action Planning Activity
Preparation