Educators - Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library

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 and 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 instruction videos (see below) 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:

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 Vonnegut to his classroom through a wonderful project based around Player Piano. Click Here

Visit the Museum and Library

Visit us for a Museum and Library tour featuring Vonnegut drawings, letters, photos, and more. We offer tours for all ages, K-12. The Vonnegut Museum and Library has a curriculum for all grades that meets Indiana and Common Core standards. Please call (317) 652-1954 or email us for more information.

IMPORTANT NOTE: As of January 5, 2019, we are no longer at our Senate Avenue location. However, we are in the process of securing a new location. We hope to know more soon. We apologize for any inconvenience.

We also invite you or your students to attend one of our upcoming events.

Ongoing events to remember:
Banned Books Week: Late September/Early October
Vonnegutfest: November

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.