Adapted by Jennifer Chalmers

for UPenn EDUC: 699-116 2014C (Methods: Middle Years A)

The Pearl by John Steinbeck Unit

Reading Class Only
Unit Standards
Literature Standards

Informational Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7. 1 Cite several

pieces of textual evidence to support
analysis of what the text says explicitly
as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.2 Determine a
theme or central idea of a text and
analyze its development over the course
of the text; provide an objective summary
of the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL. 7.3 Analyze how
particular elements of a story or drama
interact (e.g., how setting shapes the
characters or plot).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL. 7.4 Determine the
meaning of words and phrases as they
are used in a text, including figurative
and connotative meanings; analyze the
impact of rhymes and other repetitions of
sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific
verse or stanza of a poem or section of a
story or drama.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL. 7.6 Analyze how an
author develops and contrasts the points
of view of different characters or
narrators in a text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of

what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.2 Determine two or more central ideas in a text and
analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective
summary of the text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.3 Analyze the interactions between individuals,

events, and ideas in a text (e.g., how ideas influence individuals or
events, or how individuals influence ideas or events).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases
as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and
technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on
meaning and tone.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.5 Analyze the structure an author uses to

organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the
whole and to the development of the ideas.

Connection to Essential Question

After discovering the pearl, Kino believes he has the opportunity to create a
better future for himself and his family. He knows the pearl is valuable and
hopes to sell it for a large sum of money. With this, he believes he can begin to
break the cycle of poverty that the lower class has become accustomed to by
providing Coyotito with opportunities with which he was not afforded. Kino
considers the pearl the answer to all of their troubles as well as their link to
freedom/a better life. However, as Kinos avarice begins to overtake him and his
thoughts are consumed with the pearl, his values seem to shift, and he is willing
to do whatever it takes to protect the pearl at all costs.
This novel sets students up to consider that freedom means different things to
different people- a concept that well revisit throughout the year. Additionally,
well be able to consider the idea that freedom often comes at a cost. How much
is freedom worth? What are people willing to do to get the freedom they
deserve? The novel also sets students up to consider social classes and how
economics affect a communitys interactions and opinions of each other. How
does social class influence characters and peoples behaviors, interactions, and

Adapted by Jennifer Chalmers

for UPenn EDUC: 699-116 2014C (Methods: Middle Years A)
expectations about each other? What are some social class stereotypes, and
how do they influence opinions?

Written Assessments (Formal)

Genre
(Narrative,
Argument/Opinion,
or
informative/explan
atory)

OERs
Open Ended
Responses
require 1-2
paragraphs
that follow
the
structure:
Topic
Sentence
Answer
Quote
Explain
(NEZZ)
o Name
the
literar
y
device
used.
o Explai
n the
literar
y
device
used.
o Zoom
in on
specifi
c
diction
in the
quote.
o Zoom

Writing Task
1. What is the American Dream?
Based on what youve read today, do you think the
American Dream is a reality for all citizens? Explain.
2. (pg. 12) At the end of the chapter, we see that the Doctor
refuses to treat Coyotito.
Compare what is valuable to both the doctor and Kino.
What does this contrast tell us about a possible theme?
3. (pg. 26) This entire section describes, in detail, the
reaction to the pearl.
How does the mood change throughout this section?
Based on this, what do you think the pearl represents?
4. (pg. 40) Kino and Juana have very different (and dynamic)
opinions about the pearl.
How are Kino and Juanas attitudes towards the pearl
different?
How do these differing opinions affect the mood?
5. (pg. 67) Kino says that the pearl has become [his] soul.
What does this phrase mean?
What does this reveal about Kinos religious beliefs in this
moment?
6. Explain the motif of Kinos hands throughout The Pearl.

Adapted by Jennifer Chalmers

for UPenn EDUC: 699-116 2014C (Methods: Middle Years A)
out to
conne
ct the
quote
to the
overall
theme
.
1. What theme could the reader learn from the Legend of
Short
Mechudo? Explain your response using evidence from
Answer
the text.

Informal Assessments
Genre
(Narrative,
Argument/Opinion,
or
informative/explan
atory)

Short
Answer

Multiple
Choice

Task
Daily Questions, such as:
1. (p. 13- it in the bow.) Cite two pieces of evidence
that suggest why Kinos canoe is so valuable to him.
2. (p. 30 did not smile.) In chapter 1, we discussed
the values of the doctor. How are your ideas confirmed or
negated by his reappearance now? Use specific details
about his behavior to answer this question.
Daily Questions, such as:
1. (end of chapter) What is the effect of the repetition of
the phrase God or the gods or both?
a. it shows Juanas uncertainty about the power of prayer
b. it highlights the religiousness of Juana and her family
c. it helps to develop the conflict and intermingling
between the Spanish and native religions
d. it helps to develop the conflict between Juana and the
God or gods that she worships
2. (p. 30 enter the brush hut) What theme do the
following words help to develop? He was trapped as his
people were always trapped, and would be until, as he
had said, they could be sure that the things in the books
were really in the books.
a. Lack of knowledge creates danger.
b. Greed can turn you into an ugly person.
c. The doctors race makes him more powerful than Kino.
d. Material things are important for ensuring survival.

Weekly Skills

Adapted by Jennifer Chalmers

for UPenn EDUC: 699-116 2014C (Methods: Middle Years A)
Week 1: Schema building Steinbeck biography, The Legend of
Mechudo, La Paz geography, study of class in America, role of
women in society
Week 2: Characterization, Textual Evidence
Week 3: Symbolism, Textual Evidence, Authors Craft (Repetition)
Week 4: Explaining Textual Evidence (NEZZ), Tone, Foreshadowing
Week 5: Reading Nonfiction; analyzing important details; authors
purpose
Week 6: Symbolism, Determining vocabulary definitions in
context, how to zoom out (or connect explanations of textual
evidence back to the overall theme of the text)

Partner Texts
Social Class Systems:
Combination of articles about social class (from Wikipedia
and The New York Times) (1210L)
Schema Building: Imperialism (1120L)
Informationa
Rabbits Beware! Some Birds of Prey Hunt in Packs
l
(article from The New York Times to develop hunter vs.
hunted schema) (1320L)
Role of Women in Society:
Schema Building: Steinbeck & Women (1220L)
The Legend of Mechudo (folktale off of which The Pearl
is based) (1130L)
Literary

End of Unit Assessment

Task

Literary Essay: (CCSS: Story Elements and Theme)

What is one theme Steinbeck communicates throughout The
Pearl?
o What story elements (conflict, resolution, setting,
characterization, title, POV, motifs, symbols) does
Steinbeck use to build toward this theme?
o Why are these moments essential in leading toward
his final message?

Socratic Seminars: (CCSS: Story Elements and Theme)

o Students will read and study 1-2 short stories and
have discussion around possible themes (and
perhaps the story elements that contribute to those
themes?)
o

Agree or disagree: Kinos motivation for keeping the

pearl for so long was pure and good.

Adapted by Jennifer Chalmers

for UPenn EDUC: 699-116 2014C (Methods: Middle Years A)
o

What is the ultimate cause of Kinos hardship, the pearl,

or himself?

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its

development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL. 7.3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g.,
how setting shapes the characters or plot).

Scaffolding / Differentiated Instruction

Example 1
Sequence of
Questions

Before Reading, say:

When reading a novel, its important to pay close attention not
only to the protagonist, but also the actions and reactions of the
secondary characters as well. Today were going to study the
characterization of those secondary characters in The Pearl and
analyze the effect these characters have on the novel.
Questions:

1. (p. 42 his part in the picture.) What is the significance of Steinbeck

including all the different groups of people when explaining who knew about
Kinos selling the pearl?
Target answer: By including all of the different groups, Steinbeck shows show
how quickly word of the pearl and its value can spread. However, it also
highlights the greed of everyone in the town as each man [considers] his part
in the picture. Everyone now feels like they are connected to Kino and the
pearl in some way and are looking to reap the benefits of it.

2. (p. 42 for the lowest prices.) Read the last sentence of this

section: Quite apart from any reward they might get, from any word of
praise, from any promotion, a pearl buyer was a pearl buyer, and the best
and happiest pearl buyer was he who bought for the lowest prices
Based on the above description of the pearl buyers, the word that would
best describe them is
a. extravagant
b. mundane
c. skeptical
d. avaricious
Answer: D
3. Explain the piece of diction that best proves your answer to #2:
Target Answer: besthappiestbought for lowest prices.
4. (p. 43 should destroy them all.) What line below illustrates

Adapted by Jennifer Chalmers

for UPenn EDUC: 699-116 2014C (Methods: Middle Years A)
Steinbecks use of foreshadowing?
a. Another said he would buy Masses for the souls of his family for a
thousand years.
b. What a pity it would be if the pearl should destroy them all.
c. too many things to see when Kino went to sell the great pearl.
d. a fourth thought of all the good things one could do with the
money from the pearl.
Answer: B
5. (p. 45 Kino agreed.) Reread the paragraph on page 43 that
begins, In the brush Are the characters being honest in their hopes
for Kino here? Why would Steinbeck include this paragraph?
Target Answer: The characters are likely putting on a semblance of
concern and support for Kino. Most of the townspeople have little to no
actual connection with Kino, but are merely there to for the show of
Kinos procession to the capital. Some of them even remark, in what
seems like an unauthentic tone, that it would be a shame if the pearl
destroyed him. Some even go as far as to hope that the pearl would
not make a rich man of him which implies that they feel envy for the
Kinos possible fortune. Steinbeck likely includes this paragraph to
foreshadow the avarice that will take over all who encounter Kino and his
beloved pearl.

6. (pg. 45) In this section, we see Kino and Juana head out to sell the
pearl.

What does the description of Kinos community foreshadow for the

novel?

Use information from the story and additional insight to support your
response.
Target Answer: The description of the community reveals the
magnitude of this event. All of the townspeople pour out onto the streets
to watch Kino, Juana, and Coyotito begin this life-changing journey as
they feel connected to this pearl in some way. However, their support for
Kino does not feel pure. When the townspeople worry that the pearl
may destroy Kino, their remarks feel half out of jealousy. After all, many
are joining this event for its spectacle, not because they actually know
Kino. Additionally, Juan Tomas, Kinos brother, warns in pure
nervousness that Kino must be careful to see they do not cheat [him.]
Juan Tomas also goes on to tell Kino of former pearl buyers who ventured
to the capital and were never heard of again and the pearls were lost.
These descriptions foreshadow the ominous events that will take place
later in the novel. Kino will soon learn that he needs to protect the pearl
from the avaricious pearl buyers who will try to cheat him out of money
that he deserves for the pearl. He will soon learn that he must not fall

Adapted by Jennifer Chalmers

for UPenn EDUC: 699-116 2014C (Methods: Middle Years A)
victim to the pearl buyers like those in the story Juan Tomas tells him.

Example 2
Differentiate
d Instruction

Sample of weekly new vocabulary instruction

1. Scholars begin by reading sentence and guessing
definition of the word based on context clues and
visualization image.
2. Teacher gives definition and scholars copy.

3. Scholars practice using definitions by completing the

following worksheet.
Directions: Read each scenario, and choose the best vocabulary word that
connects to it. You must underline the context clues that helped you choose
your answer.
1. The Dalai Lama is known for spreading words of love and kindness. He

Adapted by Jennifer Chalmers

for UPenn EDUC: 699-116 2014C (Methods: Middle Years A)
encourages people to help others whenever possible rather than
hurting them.
Which of the following words best describes the type of messages spread
by The Dalai Lama?
a. Collusive
b. Benign
c. Stalwart
d. Perplexing
2. Even though Erik didnt make the varsity basketball team, he still
attended all junior varsity practices. He continues to work extremely
hard each day, so that hopefully next year hell attain his goal of
playing at the varsity level for the sport that he loves so much.
Which of the following words best describes Eriks actions?
a. Lament
b. Collusive
c. Stalwart
d. Benign
3. No matter how many times Mrs. Fernando reviewed the NEZZ
structure and gave students the opportunity to practice it, Chantal was
still confused about how to zoom in on specific diction to analyze a
quote.
Which of the following words best describes Chantal?
a. Lament
b. Stalwart
c. Collude
d. Perplexed
Directions: Read each sentence below and insert the correct vocabulary term.
Make sure to spell each word correctly. Each word is used only once. Be sure
to use the correct form of the word.
1. The little boy played a ________________________________ joke on his mom
when he asked her to go in the other room only so he could place a
Valentines Day card on the seat where she had been sitting.
2. The teacher could tell by their whispering and furtive glances that two of
the students were ________________________________ together to cheat on
the test.

Adapted by Jennifer Chalmers

for UPenn EDUC: 699-116 2014C (Methods: Middle Years A)
3. I was completely ________________________________ by my dogs behavior;
he was running in circles, chasing something only he could see, and
randomly barking at the wall.
4. Joseph is a ________________________________ soccer player that works
out three extra times a week to stay in shape, is always ready to
receive the ball on the field, and communicates constantly with his
teammates in a positive way.
5.

I could tell by the look on Bills face that he

_______________________________________ the fact that he had to
cancel his trip to see his parents because of work. He only sees them
twice a year, and he misses them greatly.