THE GRAPES OF WRATH—Final Assessments
1. DIARY ENTRIES (4 total—100 Points each):
Each week you must create a diary entry (200 word minimum) written from the point of view of one of
the following characters:
Tom Joad, Jim Casy, Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Rose of Sharon, Granma Joad, Granpa Joad, Noah
Joad, Al Joad, Ruthie Joad, Winfield Joad or Connie.
Your diary entry should include information from the chapters you have read the week prior to the diary
entry’s due date. Essentially, your diary entry will be a summary of the events of the chapters you read
for the week, but told in the voice of the character you choose. You may write for the same character
each week or choose different ones.
2. CHAPTER PRESENTATIONS—100 Points (*Indicates Chapter Presentation Days):
Teams of students will present assigned chapters from the novel. During this presentation, the team of
students will address and answer the study guide questions, present their own questions and findings,
and ask their peers questions about the text. (See Rubric)
3. In-Class Essay—(100 Points) Thursday, May 1 or 2, 2008
4. FINAL PROJECT—(100 Points) Due /Monday, May 5, 2008
The following projects may be completed individually or in groups of no more than two students. Each
project must be accompanied by no less than a two-page report explaining the project and its
significance to the novel. If students work in groups, each member of the group must write his or her
own report relating to the project. Follow all MLA guidelines and include a works cited page.
1. Create and/or draw a detailed map of the Joad’s journey across America, marking the important
places and events that occur in the novel.
2. Research a topic related to the novel’s themes and prepare a presentation using visuals aids.
Your presentation must explain the relationship of your topic to the novel. Possible topics: The
Dust Bowl, The Great Depression, Migrant Workers, Labor Movements, Dispossessed
Americans, Changing Family Roles, music generated during this era, your choice.
3. Write a sequel and/or a continuation of the novel. Read this to the class and/or portray it through
some other media.
4. Script a scene from the novel and make a video of your work.
5. Using specific references from the novel, create portraits of each of the major characters.
6. Using specific references from the novel, create drawings/paintings of at least five major events
or locations in the novel. Examples: The Joad Homestead, the truck stop, the roadside camps,
Granpa’s funeral, the broken down truck, the possibilities are endless.
7. Using specific references from the novel, build a model of the Joad’s truck and one of their
campsites.
8. An approved idea of your own.