4. Me and Mr. Joad

Complete story — includes the ending

The Grapes of Wrath is taught by Mr. Turner to Cory and Shawn's class. Annoyed by the students' negative response to his non-traditional teaching methods, Turner makes a deal: if they read the novel and actively engage in a class discussion, the scheduled test will be cancelled. Word of Turner's alternative methodology soon reaches Mr. Feeny, who expresses his dismay, arguing that students fail to absorb knowledge without the stakes of formal assessment. Turner firmly disagrees, prompting the two educators to place a bet on whose instructional philosophy is superior. However, Turner ultimately decides to renege on his promise, presenting the class with the unannounced exam anyway. Feeling inspired by the labor struggles and themes of collective bargaining detailed in the Steinbeck novel, Cory and Shawn organize and lead their classmates on a student "strike". The students stage a walkout, marching out of Turner's classroom and occupying the school cafeteria to demand steak and lobster. The protest is abruptly halted when Mr. Feeny intervenes, threatening to cancel all extracurricular school activities. Intimidated by the administrative consequences, the rest of the student body abandons the strike and returns to class, leaving only Shawn standing loyally behind Cory. Cory continues his march completely out of the school building, while Shawn ultimately opts to stay behind since he does not participate in any school activities to begin with. At home, Cory & Shawn face punishment from Cory's parents for walking out. However, Mr. Turner arrives at the Matthews residence to take full responsibility for mishandling the class pact, while explaining to Cory & Shawn that students cannot realistically strike. Cory, Shawn, and Turner later visit Mr. Feeny in his backyard to apologize. Meanwhile, Jason and Eric's friendship is tested when Eric's new girlfriend, Desiree, attempts to drive a wedge between them so she can monopolize Eric's attention. Realizing her manipulative behavior, Eric chooses to stand by his best friend and breaks up with Desiree. Guest stars: Sydney Bennett as Desiree, Jason Marsden as Jason Absent: Danielle Fishel as Topanga Lawrence, Lily Nicksay as Morgan Matthews