This Big Read Teacher’s Guide contains ten lessons to lead you through Ray Bradbury’s classic novel, Fahrenheit 451. Each lesson has four sections: a thematic focus, discussion activities, writing exercises, and homework assignments. In addition, we have provided suggested essay topics and capstone projects, as well as handouts with more background information about the novel, the historical period, and the author. All lessons dovetail with the state language arts standards required in the fiction genre.
Finally, The Big Read Reader's Guide deepens your exploration with interviews, booklists, time lines, and historical information. We hope this guide and syllabus allow you to have fun with your students while introducing them to the work of a great American author.
From the NEA, we wish you an exciting and productive school year.
Ray Bradbury selling newspapers on the corner of Olympic and Norton, Los Angeles, c. 1938. (Getty Images)
German soldiers and civilians give the Nazi salute, thousands of books smolder during a bookburning, May 1933. (Courtesy of Ray Bradbury)
Literary history: Bradbury worked out the title after conferring with his local fire department. (Courtesy of Ray Bradbury)
