The Pearl
By: John Steinbeck
Interactive Book belongs to: ________________________
Introductory Questions:
1. How does oppression occur in both the community and individual?
2. How can society’s wrongs be righted?
3. How much control does an individual have over his/her “success” in life?
4. How can we determine if something or someone is what or who they appear
to be?
5. Can money or desire change an individual?
6. Is money necessary to be “successful” in life?
7. What is the difference between good and evil? Are there any shades of gray?
Character
Kino
Juana
Coyotito
The doctor
Juan Thomas
The dealers
The trackers
Setting:
Point of View:
Possible themes to consider:
Motifs (reoccurring elements):
Description
Chapter 1
Important/Unfamiliar Word
Page #
Definition
Explain what it means:
Noteworthy Quote (with page #)
Explain why it matters:
Themes or Deeper Meanings
(What is the novel’s theme so far?
Give evidence that supports your
answer).
Symbol or Motif
(Single or reoccurring item(s) that
could represent an abstract, deeper
idea).
Summary of Events
Connections
(To your life, to other books, to other
moments in this book, etc.).
Guided Questions - Chapter 1
1. Describe Kino and Juana’s community and way of life.
2. Explain what it means when it talks about the “songs” Kino hears.
3. How do Kino and his neighbors feel about the doctor?
4. How does Kino react to the doctor’s refusal?
5. Any questions you may have about the text:
Quick Rating
4 – I could teach it to someone else
3 – I definitely understand what’s
going on
2 – I am struggling a little bit
1 – I don’t get it at all
Chapter 2
Important/Unfamiliar Word
Page #
Definition
Explain what it means:
Noteworthy Quote (with page #)
Explain why it matters:
Themes or Deeper Meanings
(What is the novel’s theme so far?
Give evidence that supports your
answer).
Symbol or Motif
(Single or reoccurring item(s) that
could represent an abstract, deeper
idea).
Summary of Events
Connections
(To your life, to other books, to other
moments in this book, etc.).
Guided Questions: Chapter 2
1. Describe the lives of the pearl divers and their families.
2. Why does Kino open the large oyster last?
3. Describe Kino and Juana’s feelings and actions just before Kino opens the great pearl.
4. What cures Coyotito’s scorpion bite?
5. Create your own question to be answered:
Quick Rating
4 – I could teach it to someone else
3 – I definitely understand what’s
going on
2 – I am struggling a little bit
1 – I don’t get it at all
Chapter 3
Important/Unfamiliar Word
Page #
Definition
Explain what it means:
Noteworthy Quote (with page #)
Explain why it matters:
Themes or Deeper Meanings
(What is the novel’s theme so far?
Give evidence that supports your
answer).
Symbol or Motif
(Single or reoccurring item(s) that
could represent an abstract, deeper
idea).
Summary of Events
Connections
(To your life, to other books, to other
moments in this book, etc.).
Guided Questions: Chapter 3
1. How do you think the pearl will change Kino and Juana’s life?
2. What are Kino’s dreams for his family?
3. What is the real reason the doctor comes to Kino and Juana’s house?
4. Describe the priest.
5. Why does Juana want to throw the pearl away?
Quick Rating
4 – I could teach it to someone else
3 – I definitely understand what’s
going on
2 – I am struggling a little bit
1 – I don’t get it at all
Chapter 4
Important/Unfamiliar Word
Page #
Definition
Explain what it means:
Noteworthy Quote (with page #)
Explain why it matters:
Themes or Deeper Meanings
(What is the novel’s theme so far?
Give evidence that supports your
answer).
Symbol or Motif
(Single or reoccurring item(s) that
could represent an abstract, deeper
idea).
Summary of Events
Connections
(To your life, to other books, to other
moments in this book, etc.).
Guided Questions: Chapter 4
1. How do you predict Kino will be treated by the pearl dealers?
2. What clues does Steinbeck give to indicate that Kino will not receive a fair price for the
pearl?
3. List the reasons the pearl dealers give Kino for offering him such a low price for his
pearl.
4. What is Kino’s solution for selling his pearl at a fair price?
5. Write your own comprehension question:
Quick Rating
4 – I could teach it to someone else
3 – I definitely understand what’s
going on
2 – I am struggling a little bit
1 – I don’t get it at all
Chapter 5
Important/Unfamiliar Word
Page #
Definition
Explain what it means:
Noteworthy Quote (with page #)
Explain why it matters:
Themes or Deeper Meanings
(What is the novel’s theme so far?
Give evidence that supports your
answer).
Symbol or Motif
(Single or reoccurring item(s) that
could represent an abstract, deeper
idea).
Summary of Events
Connections
(To your life, to other books, to other
moments in this book, etc.).
Guided Questions: Chapter 5
1. How are Kino’s and Juana’s lives changed forever?
2. Why did Juana give the pearl back to Kino after he is attacked?
3. Why doesn’t Kino take one of his neighbor’s canoes to help him escape?
4.
Create a question that is worthy of a whole class discussion:
Quick Rating
4 – I could teach it to someone else
3 – I definitely understand what’s
going on
2 – I am struggling a little bit
1 – I don’t get it at all
Chapter 6
Important/Unfamiliar Word
Page #
Definition
Explain what it means:
Noteworthy Quote (with page #)
Explain why it matters:
Themes or Deeper Meanings
(What is the novel’s theme so far?
Give evidence that supports your
answer).
Symbol or Motif
(Single or reoccurring item(s) that
could represent an abstract, deeper
idea).
Summary of Events
Connections
(To your life, to other books, to other
moments in this book, etc.).
Guided Questions: Chapter 6
1. How do you predict the story will end?
2. How does Kino try to outwit the trackers?
3. What does Kino try to convince Juana to do, for her safety’s sake?
4. Describe the events that lead to Coyotito’s death.
5. Why doesn’t Juana throw the pearl into the ocean when Kino offers it to her?
Quick Rating
6. Create one final question to be discussed as a whole class:
4 – I could teach it to someone else
3 – I definitely understand what’s
going on
2 – I am struggling a little bit
1 – I don’t get it at all
Standards covered:
RL.8.2:
4
3
2
1
In addition to score 3 performance, the student demonstrates in-depth inferences and
applications that go beyond what is taught.
Student will analyze the development of a theme or central ideas over the course of a gradeappropriate text, including its relationship to characters, setting, plot, and supporting details.
Provide an objective summary of a grade-appropriate text.
Student can recognize or recall specific vocabulary such as: analyze, central idea, character,
development, objective, plot, relationship, setting, summarize, supporting detail, text, and
theme.
Student will perform basic processes such as determining a theme or central idea of a gradeappropriate text, and summarize a grade-appropriate text using a teacher provided graphic
organizer
With help, partial success at score 2 but not a score 3 content.
RL.8.10
4
3
2
1
In addition to score 3 performance, the student demonstrates in-depth inferences and
applications that go beyond what is taught.
Student will read and comprehend grade-appropriate literature.
Student can recognize or recall specific vocabulary such as: comprehend, literature, text,
informational.
Student will perform basic processes such as read grade-appropriate literature using a teacherdirected comprehension strategy (for example, modeling, predicting, questioning, graphic
organizers, scaffolding, reciprocal reading, outlining, and note taking).
With help, partial success at score 2 and score 3 content.