Engaging Activities & Tips for Teaching The Glass Castle

I’ve taught a lot of books over the years, but The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is the one that stops my “I hate reading” students in their tracks. It’s raw, real, and incredibly relatable. Every time I teach it, the classroom energy shifts. If you’re looking for a powerful, discussion-driving text that truly connects with teens, this memoir delivers.

Why The Glass Castle is a Must-Teach

💬 It connects on a personal level.
Themes like poverty, resilience, and complex family dynamics make students feel seen. So many of them relate to Jeannette or her siblings—and that emotional connection is a game-changer.

Tip: Start with a quick-write journal where students reflect on moments of resilience or family influence in their own lives. It sets the tone for empathy and engagement.

🗣️ It sparks meaningful conversations.
Some of the best class discussions I’ve ever had came from this book. It opens the door to real talk about things like survival, independence, trauma, and forgiveness.

Tip: Use discussion circles or small group talks for sensitive chapters. Give students space to share thoughts (or just listen) without pressure.

🧠 It builds critical thinking.
Walls’ parents are complicated, and students will have strong (and sometimes conflicting) opinions. They’ll wrestle with moral gray areas, which pushes their thinking in new directions.

Tip: Have students defend different characters’ choices in short writing prompts or debate-style formats. It helps them consider multiple perspectives while building argumentative skills.

Teaching Resources That Actually Work

You don’t have to do it all on your own. I’ve created a Glass Castle Novel Study that’s been tested (and loved) by both students and teachers.

It includes:

Print-ready PDF files AND digital Google files for your convenience:

UNIT PLANS:

• Daily Reading Schedule & Pacing Guide
• Essential Questions
• Objectives
• Literary elements, themes & symbols
• Comprehensive discussion guide for the full novel
• Detailed teacher notes with summaries, analysis & scaffolding—teach with confidence (& no need to waste your time re-reading the night before)

DAILY BELL RINGERS:

These journal prompts are the perfect way to start class each day that you read/study The Glass Castle. Each bell ringer relates to the section’s reading and gives students a chance to put themselves in the Walls’ shoes, promoting engagement.

ENGAGING ACTIVITIES:

• Pre-Reading Text Graffiti – Analyze quotes from the first 8 pages.
• Making Inferences & Close Reading Activities
• Symbolism Mini-Escape Room
• Character Analysis – Instagram Post & Phone Activity
• Informational Text & Argumentative Writing
• Welch Learning Stations
• Conflict Analysis – Jeannette’s Texting Activity & Rose Mary’s Silhouette
• Journalism with Jeannette – Healthy Relationships PSA Project
• Goodbye Mom & Dad Letter – Citing Evidence & Annotation
• Creative One-Pager & Symbolic Tattoo Activity
• Rex Walls Celebration of Life – Interactive Character Analysis

Comprehension Study Guides and Answer Keys

• Study Guides and Answer Keys for Sections 1-25 (whole novel) – Perfect for sub days, homework, small groups, individual reading, or whole class discussion! These study guide questions use all DOK levels.

SYMBOLISM ANALYSIS JOURNAL:

• Students analyze 16 key symbols using a symbolism journal with color-coded or B&W tabs. Each symbol includes a critical thinking question, space for explanation, and a supporting quote.

WRITING PROJECTS | ASSESSMENTS:

• Unit-Long Parent Analysis Project: Students choose key events from The Glass Castle to create a portfolio analyzing Rex and Rose Mary Walls’ parenting. This project fosters critical thinking, evidence citation, and inferential questioning, and can include collaboration with the school’s social worker.

• Create Your Own Memoir: A great way to conclude The Glass Castle, where students write their own memoir, focusing on a single memory with emotional depth, similar to Jeannette Walls’ style.

QUIZZES + BONUS TRIVIA REVIEW GAMES:

Includes 6 in-depth quizzes that follow the following format:

• Multiple Choice
• Character analysis/matching
• Short answer
• Extended response
• Two bonus questions

Also includes Trivia Review Games for every quiz!

• These trivia games are all editable and includes all materials including clear directions of how to run the games. My students loved our trivia review days!

FILM GUIDE:

• This movie guide asks questions of all DOK levels and challenges students to compare the novel to the movie as they watch.

ESCAPE ROOM:

• This escape room is perfect for both beginners and veterans! It includes an answer key, step-by-step directions, a checklist, helpful tips, and an organization outline.

EDITABLE UNIT TEST:

• In addition to the PDF version, a Word doc version is included for you to be able to edit and fit the needs of your class perfectly!

SHORT ESSAYS:

• This resource includes 7 short essay prompts based on deeper topics in the memoir. There is also a digital version and rubric included.

BONUS ACTIVITY – R.A.C.E.S. Writing & Citing Evidence Resources

Added to help students structure their paragraph and essay writing

Have you taught The Glass Castle? What strategies or resources have worked for you? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear!