There’s a reason The Great Gatsby hasn’t left high school reading lists (and probably never will!). Beneath the glitzy parties, Fitzgerald is asking timeless questions: What does the “American Dream” really mean? Is wealth the key to happiness? What defines success?
The American Dream may look a little different for high schoolers, but concepts of identity, ambition, love, and the illusions of society hit home for teens who are thinking about their futures and what kind of people they want to be. Gatsby’s pursuit of “having it all” and Daisy’s conflicted choices are things they can immediately connect with (even if their version of the green light is more like a driver’s licence).
Plus, students love the drama! Between one of literature’s most painfully awkward tea dates, glittering parties, and secret love affairs, there’s enough to pique their interest. Teaching The Great Gatsby means giving students the chance to analyze culture, question values, and decide what it means to live authentically. That’s why this novel has secured its place on reading lists. Gatsby is a timeless reminder that literature can help us understand who we are, what we want, and what really matters.
So let’s look at some key strategies for teaching Gatsby that will keep your students engaged, curious, and a little dazzled (without having to throw a lavish Gatsby party).
Teaching Gatsby Strategy Number 1: Hook Your Students With Pre-Reading Stations
Pre-reading stations are a surefire way to get students genuinely interested in the novel’s world before you even crack open the first chapter. Pre-reading stations turn learning background knowledge into an experience, letting students step into the world of the novel before reading a single page.
Students rotate through stations, hands-on or digital, to explore the fashion, music, economy, and technology of the Jazz Age, all while actually having fun. Through these stations, students can imagine what it was really like to live in that era.
If you want a deeper dive into how to set up these stations and make your students feel like they’ve stepped right into the Roaring Twenties, check out the full blog, “Great Gatsby Stations That Will Hook Your Students, Old Sport,” for a step-by-step guide.
Strategy Number 2: Frame the Unit Around a Powerful Essential Question
One of the best ways to make The Great Gatsby feel fresh (and not just another “old book”) is to anchor the unit with a strong essential question. Essential questions are broad, inquiry-based questions that encourage students to explore ideas from multiple perspectives, make connections across texts, and reflect on their own lives. A meaningful EQ helps students see why the text matters, making the reading feel more relevant to their world.
For Gatsby, one that works beautifully is: How can wealth empower and/or limit a person? Suddenly, the novel isn’t just about flappers, bootleggers, and love triangles; it’s a concept students can parallel to modern day, from privilege to inequality. When you frame the text with this essential question, you invite your class to consider how money shapes opportunity and choices, both in the world of the 1920s and now.
To make the EQ even more engaging, pair it with a choice board. Students select and analyze clips from contemporary shows and films such as Crazy Rich Asians, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, or even Richie Rich. Each clip offers a unique perspective on wealth’s impact on identity and opportunity, tying back to Gatsby’s characters.
With the choice board, students also complete a handout where they track their thoughts on how wealth influences characters in the clips and draw connections to Gatsby. Because students choose examples that interest them, the choice board builds buy-in and encourages participation in discussion. You can grab a free link to the choice in this post!
Strategy Number 3: Use a Meaningful Summative Assessment Students Will Remember
At the end of your Gatsby unit, skip the multiple-choice test and give your class a chance to showcase the depth of their analysis with a project that’s authentic and creative. Project-based learning beats memorization every time because it challenges students to apply their knowledge, create, and think critically.
One of my favorites is the Gatsby Newspaper Project. Students work in groups to create an authentic 1920s-style newspaper, reporting on the events of the novel as if they are happening in real-time. Each student takes on a role, so no one is stuck doing all the work. The project has four required sections: breaking news, a society column, investigative reporting, and an editorial.
To spice it up, groups can add extra sections like vintage advertisements (maybe for a used yellow car…wink wink) or a gossip column spilling all the tea from a Gatsby party. Everything must include textual evidence from the novel. For example, they could feature Myrtle’s accident as the front-page story, including quotes from characters present. When finished, students present their newspapers to the class and get to see how their classmates put their own dramatic twist on Gatsby’s world.
When scaffolded well, this doesn’t feel like just another “fun project.” Students flex their creativity while grounding their work in themes, characters, and context from the time period. Plus, they genuinely enjoy it! And, it beats grading 30+ multiple-choice tests any day!
Join us in the vault to grab this entire Gatsby unit!
If you could use a done-for-you, high-interest, complete Gatsby unit, check out the English Teacher Vault for only $1 for 7 days and grab the whole unit!
