THE CATCHER IN THE

RYE: CLASS PROJECT

Astrid Maldonado

Arizona ELA Standards:

Writing standard number 9 for 11-12

grade students requires students to,
Draw evidence from literary or
informational texts to support analysis,
reflection, and research (ELA Standards,
p. 20).

For our midterm project, we will be

analyzing and reflecting upon the novel,
The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger.

ISTE Standards:

This project will promote the first ISTE

Standard for students by requiring
students to use technology in a way to
creatively and innovatively support their
analysis (ISTE Standards, 2007).

This project will also promote the first

ISTE Standard for teachers by providing
students with various technological tools
with which to learn and be creative (ISTE
Standards, 2008).

Literary Menu:

Appetizer
- Holden uses his red hat as a symbol of protection.
Bring in an item of your choice that represents
something important to you. Briefly share it with the
class.
- Create an alternate book cover for The Catcher in
the Rye complete with a summary, as well as a brief
biography on J.D. Salinger. Share it with the class.

Main Course
- After finishing The Catcher in the Rye, read The
Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky.
Analyze three major events in each novel. Then,
create a series of blog posts between the two main
characters discussing these events, as well as a

Literary Menu (cont.)

Main Course (cont.)

- Create a 5-10 minute video in which you analyze and
explain one major theme within the novel. Be sure to
include things such as symbols, major metaphors, and
various quotes from the book.
- Create a 5-10 minute podcast with a classmate in
which you discuss a theme found in the book, as well
as possible historical factors that may play into this
theme.
- Create a presentation (Powerpoint, Prezi, etc.) about
the theme of the book and how the theme is
applicable today. Be sure to incorporate quotations
from the book, as well as symbols and metaphors. The

Literary Menu (cont.)

Dessert
- Create a playlist (5-7 songs long) on Spotify to accompany the
story. For each track, provide a brief explanation as to why you
chose it, and its relevance to the novel. Put a link to your
playlist on the class blog.
- Write a poem, create a song, or paint a picture about one
symbol within the book. Share it with the class, as well as on
our blog.
-Create a small collage or poster-board using important symbols
and quotations from the novel. Upload a picture of your project
to the class blog.

Each student must select one item from each section.

Extra Help:

For further, more in-depth insight and

analysis into the world of Holden
Caulfield:

For further insight regarding Salingers

historical context:

(p.s. these are links

Extra Help (cont.)

Click on the picture to the right

for a larger version, as well as a
brief history of the novel and
its author, which are pictured below.

Extra Credit:

Write a fictional short story about where

the ducks go during the winter. Present it
to the class.

Sources:
High School (9-12) English Language Arts
(ELA) & Literacy in History/Social
Studies, Science, & Technical Subjects.
(n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.azed.gov/azccrs/elastandards
/9-12/
International Society for Technology in
Education. (2007-2008). ISTE Standards.
Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/standards