Educators

Teaching, may I say, is the noblest profession of all in a democracy.” – Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Whether you want to share Kurt Vonnegut with your students for the first time or to deepen their existing connection with the author, we can help. Below you will find information on visiting the Museum*Library, relevant events and workshop opportunities, classroom lessons, and additional helpful resources. Please check back often as we continue to grow our relationship with educators and readers.

Teaching Vonnegut in the Classroom

How might Vonnegut teach writing? Use this presentation (Vonnegut Writing PDF) and supporting documents (to be added soon) to guide your students through a creative writing process.
Grade level: 6-12 grade                                         Supports: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-12.3, 4, 10

For your students who prefer audio, try:

• Welcome to the Monkey House
• Harrison Bergeron
• The Big Trip Up Yonder
• Vonnegut reading an excerpt from Breakfast of Champions
• Slaughterhouse-Five (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8)

Earn professional development credit by joining us for our FREE Teaching Vonnegut Workshop offered every summer.

Learn how one Teaching Vonnegut alum introduced Vonengut to his classroom through a wonderful project based around Player Piano. Click Here

Useful Resources

Read a brief biography of Kurt Vonnegut to give context to the author’s writing.

Expose your students to more Vonnegut using our complete list of his work.

Use Maya Eilam’s graphic to explore Kurt Vonnegut’s master’s thesis on the shapes of stories or watch Vonnegut explain it himself.

Find guidance from Vonneugt on “How to Write with Style.”

Experiencing a challenge to a book or performance at your school? The American Library Association can help.

The American Library Association also provides resources for promoting and becoming involved in Banned Books Week.