The Jungle by Upton Sinclair: A Novel Study
What's included
8 live meetings
4 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will be asked to complete reading outside of class time.Grading
Grading - Students will have the opportunity to receive a grade in the form of their choosing.I am happy to provide a grade in the form of a percentage, letter, or both. I can also offer a formal letter for submission to state programs. I ask students throughout the semester about their needs for grading and am happy to work with parents to create a plan that meets their needs! Please note that Grading is NOT required.Class Experience
US Grade 10 - 12
Come join us in reading Upton Sinclar's most famous novel, The Jungle. No one has written quite as many novels as Sinclair. He is the most prolific novelist in American history, averaging a book a year for every year he was alive: 90. But none stand out as significant and impactful as much as The Jungle. The Jungle exposes many societal issues through the story of a Lithuanian immigrant family working in Chicago's meatpacking industry. His work exposed the struggles and unhuman treatment of those working in some of Chicago's toughest working industries. In fact, it resulted in the direct change of the food industry when people realized just how unsafe and inhuman things really are. Congress developed the Pure Food and Drug Act to protect people from these unsafe conditions. But Sinclair, whose work remains relevant today, set out to accomplish something a little different - he set out to show the world it's about more than the food... it's about the man. The human experience. The struggles and the heart. To accomplish this, he hit the stomach.
Learning Goals
- Students will be able to identify the following literary elements: character and character development, genre, plot development and major plot points, symbolism, themes, and more!
- Students will engage in discussions and debates with one another as we explore more than just reading comprehension but also the complex decisions the author makes and its cultural and historical connections to the time period.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction and Welcome
Introductions to the Novel and Author
History of the Meatpacking Industry
Working Conditions in America
30 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Chapters 1 - 4
The Wedding
The Decision to Come to America
Touring the Factory
Initial Struggles with Choices
30 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Chapters 5 - 9
Corruption Discoveries
Money Struggles
Hard Decisions
30 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Chapters 10 - 15
Unions, Taxes, and Insurance
Work Injuries vs. Non-Work Injuries
Consequences and Responses
Owning vs. Renting
30 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The Jungle does involve fictional representations of historical events and societal problems. It can be grim and gross at times with descriptions of violence and food safety violations designed to turn the stomach. Students are encouraged to take breaks from these descriptions and to speak up about these realities. In class, we will discuss the purpose of the honesty in the text, but please reach out if you have any questions!
Supply List
Students will need their own copies of The Jungle that they will need to bring to class with them every day.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Colorado Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
I have been teaching on Outschool since January 2020 and have been certified in Missouri and Colorado (active). I teach novel studies to middle school and high school students and I specialize in classic literature.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$19
weekly or $150 for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
30 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
1-3 learners per class