we never read that one....hmmm...

that is one that I should reread....enjoyed it as a teen in HS, but I'm sure I would get much more out of it now.

last year Wichita Center for the Arts also did a performance. Several of my students and I went -- it was great!

it is one of those books that you really have to bring alive for students, but once they are into it, they like it.

have you considered incorporating the Google Lit Trip associated with the book?

don't anything about it -- do tell

check that -- don't know anything about it

this is the Google Lit Trip site www.googlelittrips.org/

click on 9-12 for grade level and scroll down to Grapes of Wrath

the way the site works and the guy that designed it is a former English teacher and a very good friend

you download the kmz file for google earth. Be sure you have google earth on your computer earth.google.com

when the file loads and launches in google earth you will have the entire book, but it will show the stages of the trip from Oklahoma

out west and each point along the journey. This provides several things

1. Students can equate a level of perspective as to the distance their traveled

2. It provides a richer experience within the story as opposed to simply reading the book

3. You can have student comment on their reading and the google earth component as a way to engage them more in the story

give it a shot and let me know if you need any further help

the lit trips are awesome and several friends of mine including mrlosik have authored lit trips themselves along with their students

this idea -- I will definitely try it -- thanks so much.