English 11
Expectations for The Grapes of Wrath
The expectations for The Grapes of Wrath are two-fold. First, after each night’s reading
you will write synthesis notes. Secondly, you will be responsible for facilitating a class
discussion on the previous night’s reading.
Synthesis Notes: At the end of each night's reading, locate five quotes that you believe
are important to the development of plot, character, or themes in the book. Synthesis
notes should take the form of the following table.
TGOW Synthesis Notes Chapters 1-5
Chapter/Page #
Quote
[who is speaking, to whom, about what]
What does this reveal about
plot, character, or theme?
Facilitate a Class Discussion: After each night's reading there will also be a class
discussion reviewing the reading. A group of 1-2 students will be responsible for
leading (facilitating) a class discussion.
Requirements:
Each member of the facilitation team must develop his/her own questions.
 5 literal (factual) questions and the answers. Literal questions have only one correct
answer. (These may include what characters said or did or definitions of words.)
 2 interpretive questions. Interpretive questions have more than one answer that can be
supported from the text.
 1 evaluative question. Evaluative questions ask us to decide whether we agree with
the author's ideas and point of view based on evidence from the text.
The format:
At the beginning of class your facilitation group will meet and decide which 5 literal
level questions to ask the class in the form of quiz, which 3-4 interpretive questions and
2-3 evaluative questions to write on the board and discuss with the class.
On the day your group facilitates, the group members do not turn in synthesis notes.
Notes for effective discussions:
--Discussion should focus only on interpreting the assigned reading.
--Follow-up/clarification questions are helpful.
--Don’t let something remain undefined, ask for further explanation.
--Invite specific individuals to contribute. As facilitators you need to make
sure everyone contributes or has a chance to contribute.
--Your opinions—keep to yourself until people have a chance to respond;
for the most part, facilitators may only ask questions not answer them.
--Restate ideas back to speakers to check understanding.
Reading Schedule:
Facilitation 1: Chapters 1,2,3,4,5
Due Mon., April 23
Facilitation 2: Chapters 6,7
Due Tues., April 24
Reading: Chapters 8,9
Due Weds., April 25
Facilitation 3: Chapters 10,11,12
Due Thurs., April 26
Facilitation 4: Chapters 13,14,15
Due Fri., April 27
Facilitation 5: Chapters 16, 17
Due Mon., April 30
Reading: Chapters 18, 19 (In-class essay on Tues., May 1)Due Tues., May 1
Reading: Chapters 20, 21
Due Weds., May 2
Facilitation 6: Chapter 22
Due Thurs., May 3
Facilitation 7: Chapter 23,24,25
Due Fri., May 4
Facilitation 8: Chapter 26
Due Weds., May 9
Facilitation 9: Chapters 27, 28, 29, 30
Due Thurs., May 10