John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath

American Writers: Interactive Scrapbook
Students explore Steinbeck's biography as well as influences on and effects of The Grapes of Wrath using an interactive scrapbook format. Separate sections are available for high school and middle school.

Assignment Discovery: Creating Dramatic Monologues from The Grapes of Wrath
Students use Internet resources to create dramatic monologues. This lesson plan is in PDF format. You will need Adobe Reader to access it.

Creating Dramatic Monologues from The Grapes of Wrath
Activities, adaptations, discussion questions, evaluation, extension, background and related links, and vocabulary. This standards-based lesson can be used with or without the video available from Discovery School.

Girl from iconic Great Depression photo: 'We were ashamed'
An interview with one of the daughters in the famous Dorothea Lange photograph "Migrant Mother."

The Grapes of Wrath
Historical background, author biography, related works, discussion questions, related resources, and a thorough teacher's guide. These materials were prepared as part of the NEA Big Read.

The Grapes of Wrath
This 18-page document addresses 120 vocabulary words drawn from the novel. Adobe Reader or compatible application required for access.

The Grapes of Wrath: Google Lit Trips
This interactive unit will help students see the journey of the Joads both in terms of geography and events of the plot. Google Earth must be on your computer for this to work; the free version will do.

The Grapes of Wrath: Present at the Creation
Background information from NPR's Morning Edition. Includes several related links.

The Grapes of Wrath Resource Page
A variety of related Web links, study questions, and essay topics. Be sure to click "Differentiated Assessment Tasks" for ideas for gifted/talented students.

The Grapes of Wrath: Scrapbooks and Artifacts
Students use cultural artifacts mentioned in the novel to enhance their understanding of symbols and themes.

The Grapes of Wrath: Suggested Essay Topics
These essay questions relate to specific chapters in the novel.

A Multimedia Approach to The Grapes of Wrath
Pre-reading activities, critical lenses, drama, Socratic Seminar ideas, and more. Includes rubric. Adobe Reader or compatible application required for access to this 11-page document.

Teacher's Guide to The Grapes of Wrath
This 6-page guide includes some historical background, prereading activities, comprehension questions, questions for discussion and writing, suggestions for research. Requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Weedpatch Camp
While writing The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck visited Bakersfield, California and based his book on Arvin Federal Government Camp, which he portrayed as "Weedpatch Camp." At this site find links for the camp's history, newspaper articles, and renovation plans. Do not miss "Migrant Mother," the story behind Dorothea Lange's famous picture.

Woody Guthrie and The Grapes of Wrath from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Students examine thematic parallels between Guthrie's music and Steinbeck's writing, look at both in the context of their time, and influences on later writers. Lyrics and music not available at this site.