Character Facades Worksheet Monday Core Activity
Character Facades
Comparing public masks with harsh realities in the Jazz Age
Student Name
Date
The Concept: What is a Facade?
In The Great Gatsby, characters build false public profiles to hide secrets, trauma, or poverty.
Appearance Reality
1
Jay Gatsby
Theme: Recreating the Past
Appearance (Public Mask)
To the public at his parties, Gatsby projects...
Gatsby acts like a wealthy aristocrat who went to _________ and acquired millions in _________.
Starter: "He pretends that..."
Reality (The Truth)
In reality, behind closed doors, we discover...
His real name is James Gatz. He grew up poor in _________ and made his money through _________.
Starter: "The truth is..."
2
Myrtle Wilson
Theme: Class Escapism
Appearance (Public Mask)
When she puts on her fancy chiffon dress, she acts...
Myrtle mimics high society, treating service workers like _________ and acting as if she is married to _________.
Starter: "She acts like..."
Reality (The Truth)
In reality, in the Valley of Ashes, Myrtle...
She is married to a poor mechanic named George and lives above a _________ in the dusty _________.
Starter: "But actually, she..."
3
Daisy Buchanan
Theme: Hollow Privilege
Appearance (Public Mask)
To the public, Daisy seems perfectly...
She projects an image of innocent beauty, pure joy, and a perfect marriage with her wealthy husband _________.
Starter: "She appears to be..."
Reality (The Truth)
In reality, behind her dazzling smile, she is...
She is deeply cynical, trapped in an unhappy marriage with Tom, who is cheating with _________.
Starter: "In truth, Daisy is..."
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Evidence Hunt Worksheet Tuesday Core Activity
Gatsby Evidence Hunt
Tracking themes of Social Class and Broken Dreams
Student Name
Date
Hunting Instructions
Use the Page Locators to find the targeted quotes in your book. Once you locate the passage, copy it down, and use the provided Sentence Starters to explain how it relates to our weekly themes.
1
Valley of Ashes (Chapter 2)
Page 23-24 Locator
Write the Quote
"This is a valley of ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills..."
Copy your exact quote lines here.
Scaffolded Analysis
This quote uses words like "ashes" and "dust" to show that poor working-class characters are _________.
Starter: "Fitzgerald uses the ashes to prove..."
2
The Green Light (Chapter 1)
Page 21-22 Locator
Write the Quote
"He stretched out his arms toward the dark water... distinguished nothing except a single green light..."
Copy your exact quote lines here.
Scaffolded Analysis
The green light represents Gatsby's hope to reach Daisy, but it is physically far away, showing that dreams _________.
Starter: "The distant light shows that..."
3
East Egg Hegemony (Chapter 1)
Page 6-7 Locator
Write the Quote
"He had various physical accomplishments... one of those men who reach such an acute limited excellence..."
Copy your exact quote lines here.
Scaffolded Analysis
Tom's immense wealth makes him cruel and aggressive, proving that East Egg aristocrats think _________.
Starter: "Tom's attitude proves that..."
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Gatsby Vocabulary Cards Wednesday Core Activity
Gatsby Word Wall Cards
Tier-2 vocabulary with phonics guides, visual icons, and context clues
PRINT & CUT SIZED
Instructions: Cut along the dotted guidelines. Laminate and pin to your classroom word wall or hand out to SPED students as tactile reference desk mats.
SUPERCILIOUS
Pronunciation: [soo-per-sil-ee-uhs]
Simple Definition
Behaving as if you are superior or better than others; extremely arrogant.
Gatsby Context: Tom Buchanan has a supercilious manner, looking down on West Eggers.
Visual Trigger: A person with tilted head, raising eyebrows at others.
Syn: Snobbish Opposite: Humble
FACADE
Pronunciation: [fuh-sahd]
Simple Definition
A false outer appearance or physical front used to hide an ugly or simple truth.
Gatsby Context: Gatsby builds a lavish mansion as a facade to hide his poor background.
Visual Trigger: A highly decorated movie-set wall with nothing behind it.
Syn: Mask / Front Opposite: Reality
AFFECTATION
Pronunciation: [af-ek-tey-shuhn]
Simple Definition
Fake, unnatural behavior or voice meant to impress other people or seem high-class.
Gatsby Context: Gatsby calling everyone "old sport" is a learned affectation.
Visual Trigger: An actor practicing a fake accents in a mirror.
Syn: Pretension Opposite: Sincerity
LABYRINTH
Pronunciation: [lab-uh-rinth]
Simple Definition
A highly complicated maze or path system that is very easy to get lost in.
Gatsby Context: Nick describes Gatsby's car and mansion as complex labyrinths.
Visual Trigger: Multiple branching corridors with high stone walls.
Syn: Maze / Complex Opposite: Clear Path
GATSBY MIRAGE ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 1 OF 1
Essay Builder Organizer Thursday & Friday Activity
The 25-Sentence Essay Builder
Draft your complete essay one sentence at a time
Student Name
Date
ESSAY STRUCTURAL PLAN
P1: Intro (1-5) P2: Gatsby (6-10) P3: Myrtle (11-15) P4: Daisy (16-20) P5: Conclusion (21-25)
Paragraph 1: Introduction (The Hook & Thesis)
1
S1: The Hook (Theme of Appearances)
In the modern world, people often hide their true selves behind a _________.
2
S2: Introduce Novel
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, this theme is shown through _________.
3
S3: The Main Characters
Specifically, characters like Jay Gatsby, Myrtle Wilson, and Daisy Buchanan use _________.
4
S4: Context of Social Class
They do this because they want to fit into the wealthy world of _________.
5
S5: Thesis Statement (The Main Argument)
Although these characters project a perfect facade, the reality is that their desires _________.
Paragraph 2: Body Paragraph 1 (Focus: Jay Gatsby)
6
S6: Topic Sentence
First, Jay Gatsby builds an elaborate facade of immense wealth to hide his _________.
7
S7: Describe Public Mask
To impress high society, he throws massive parties at his mansion and acts like _________.
8
S8: Transition to Quote
We see this false facade clearly when Nick describes his host as _________.
9
S9: Introduce Evidence
Fitzgerald writes, "He was an elegant young rough-neck... who represented _________" (p. __).
10
S10: Analyze Evidence
This reveals that Gatsby is not a real aristocrat, but a regular man putting on _________.
GATSBY MIRAGE ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE 1 OF 3
ESSAY PROGRESSION
The 25-Sentence Essay Builder
Body Paragraphs: Analyzing Myrtle Wilson & Daisy Buchanan
PART 2: BODY SECTIONS
Paragraph 3: Body Paragraph 2 (Focus: Myrtle Wilson)
11
S11: Topic Sentence
Second, Myrtle Wilson attempts to escape her low-class reality through a false mask of _________.
12
S12: Describe Public Mask
When she leaves the Valley of Ashes and travels to New York, she mimics the wealthy by _________.
13
S13: Transition to Quote
Gatsby Planner Teacher Guide PPEP TEC
PPEP TEC HIGH SCHOOL
Lesson Plan
OFFICIAL FORM 26-27
Teacher: Ms. Hersch & Ms. Kymm
Subject: ELA 11/12
Lesson Plan Dates: 8/24 – 8/27
Quarter: 1
Unit: 3
Unit Title: Gatsby Mirage: Facades
Week: 4 of 6
Weekly Planning Overview
Objectives & Goals for Learning:
What do we want students to know and be able to do?
Analyze Gatsby character facades and class divides to draft a structured 5-paragraph literary analysis essay.
AZ Standards:
RL.11-12.1: Cite strong evidence.
Targeted ELP Standards:
Standard 1: Response to lit.
Monday: 60 minutes Day 1
Student-Friendly Daily Objective: I can contrast public masks and private truths for Gatsby and Myrtle using character facades templates.
Anticipatory Set / Bell Work: Digital poll on synonyms for "fake" and "facade."
Direct Instruction / Modeling: Model Gatsby's persona versus Gatz reality.
Guided Practice / Collaborative: Complete Gatsby/Myrtle sections on Facades Worksheet.
Checking for Understanding: Random cold calls on contrasting characters.
Independent Practice: Individually complete Daisy's facade section.
Assessment / Evidence: Verify Facades Worksheet accuracy.
Closure: Class discussion on Myrtle's costume shifts.
Student Reflection Prompt (Exit Ticket): "My public mask is ______ because ______."
Tuesday: 60 minutes Day 2
Student-Friendly Daily Objective: I can locate and analyze 3 core quotes on social class using the Evidence Hunt guide and page locators.
Anticipatory Set / Bell Work: Project map of East/West Egg and Valley of Ashes.
Direct Instruction / Modeling: Teach how to use page-number guides for fast quote lookup.
Guided Practice / Collaborative: Pairs scan Chapter 2 using page locators to list class quotes.
Checking for Understanding: Thumbs up/down on locator usage.
Independent Practice: Draft explanation of Dr. Eckleburg's eyes symbolism.
Assessment / Evidence: Review completed Evidence Hunt Worksheet tables.
Closure: Peer share of most striking quote.
Student Reflection Prompt (Exit Ticket): "Which Egg would you live in and why?"
Weekly Support Information
Weekly Vocabulary Words
List vocabulary words.
Gatsby Instructional Slides PPEP TEC
ELA 11/12 Ms. Hersch & Ms. Kymm's Classroom
Lesson 1: Introduction
GATSBY MIRAGE
Deconstructing Character Facades, Societal Boundaries & Structured Essay Writing
Topic Focus: Appearance vs. Reality
Slide 1 of 5
Monday Activity
THE MASKS WE WEAR
Public Facade
Jay Gatsby: Multi-millionaire, Oxford graduate, host of wild, luxurious parties.
Myrtle Wilson: Elite socialite, commander of city apartments, wearing silk costumes.
Private Reality
James Gatz: A penniless, lonely farm boy from the North Dakota dust bowl.
Myrtle's Truth: Strangled by poverty in a dry, ash-covered auto garage.
Unit Focus: Contrast public expectations against hidden truths Slide 2 of 5
Tuesday Activity
EGGS, ASHES & SOCIAL CLASS
East Egg Old Money
"Fashionable, white palaces, generational snobbery." Tom & Daisy rule this world of secure wealth and carelessness.
West Egg New Money
"Garish gold, massive imitation mansions." Jay Gatsby's theatre of wealth designed solely to lure Daisy back.
Valley of Ashes No Money
"A solemn dump, gray ash, forgotten dreams." Myrtle & George Wilson remain trapped beneath the eyes of Dr. Eckleburg.
Use page-number helpers on your worksheet to capture quotes instantly Slide 3 of 5
Wednesday Activity
VOCABULARY & PHONICS
su-per-cil-i-ous
Supercilious
Haughty, arrogant, looking down upon others with snobbery.
Example: Tom Buchanan
af-fec-ta-tion
Affectation
An artificial behavior or disguise designed to impress.
Example: Myrtle's costumes
fa-çade
Façade
An outward appearance hiding a different or darker truth.
Example: Gatsby's palace
Desk Sort: Match word wall cards with correct character examples Slide 4 of 5
Thursday Activity
THE 25-SENTENCE ESSAY BUILDER
P1: Introduction
Sentences 1–5
Hook, background, and the Facade Thesis Formula.
P2: Jay Gatsby
Sentences 6–10
Analyze Oxford/millionaire facade vs. farm boy reality.
P3: Myrtle Wilson
Sentences 11–15
Analyze wealthy apartment costume vs. garage reality.
