You can assign this project as out-of-class work, or use class time to coach students if they are relatively inexperienced in project-based learning. Although there is no formal question presented in the project, emphasize that their project should demonstrate the themes and messages presented in the book, not contain a simple list of songs they personally enjoy.Ĥ. Project-based learning usually requires a question to drive student work. Then, they will create a poster that displays their song choices, explanations, and an image to go with each song. They will write paragraphs that explain their song choices, incorporating details from the book.

Essentially, the students will choose six songs that go with songs Kino hears throughout the story (Song of the Enemy, Song of Evil, Song of the Family, Song of the Pearl, Song of Pearl, and a song that represents the book as a whole). Remind students of the music Kino hears throughout the story and distribute the project handouts.ģ. You could have students participate in an informal class discussion, or have them write to a prompt and share their thoughts with a partner.Ģ. evil, the importance of family, the American Dream, and so on. Introduce the project by discussing themes presented in the story: Greed, good vs.

Computers with internet access and a word processorġ.

Connect the importance of music in The Pearl to modern music.

Analyze the progression of themes in The Pearl.

Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of characters and themes in The Pearl.

Creating a soundtrack for a story or book is not an entirely new idea, but telling my students that it was okay to pull out their iPods and cell phones for a few days in class really got them excited, and their projects reflected a level of thoughtfulness and comprehension that pleasantly surprised me.īy the end of the project, students will be able to: After growing frustrated with how disengaged my students became, I searched for ways to reactivate their interest in the story and the message of it. Usually about halfway through the book, my students get the general idea of Steinbeck’s message and begin to wander off mentally.

After reading a few short, older parables, we delve into The Pearl. I teach my class about parables and give different examples of lessons to be learned. When I teach The Pearl by John Steinbeck, I contain the novella in a short unit that I call American Parables.

The Pearl by John Steinbeck lends itself well to a variety of projects, but this unit assessment incorporates a popular interest of teenagers: music. Project-based learning encourages teachers and students to embrace technology integration rather than fight it.

Song of the pearl john steinbeck