Of Mice and Men
Students read John Steinbeck's classic novel Of Mice and Men, as well as other complex articles and poems, and discuss the author's portrayal of the “other”: those on the fringes of society.
Unit Summary
This novella is written in much less complex language than that of the short stories assigned in the first unit of the year, and it is much shorter than The Bluest Eye. Therefore, students should be asked to do much more independent reading and analysis in this unit. They will work to apply the close-reading skills they have gained to independently make meaning of this classic text. There are several complex articles and poems woven into the unit so students continue to see and tackle advanced writing.
Students can have a hard time picturing the time period and setting of the novella Of Mice and Men. Photographs, a short clip of the movie, and background information will help them better understand the challenges faced by migrant workers in California during the Depression, and this knowledge will allow them to better access the themes and conflicts of the novel.
Your teaching/guiding of discussions for this text should emphasize Steinbeck’s portrayal of the “other”: those on the fringes of society. Explicit connections to “St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves” and The Bluest Eye should be made in class in order to help students see the connections between the texts. Note: Crooks, the one black man on the ranch, is often referred to by the “n-” word and lives in the horse stable. Lennie is mistreated and mistrusted based on his mental disabilities. Candy, the old man, is seen as handicapped. Curley’s wife, the only female character, is not given a name; rather, she’s referred to simply as “Curley’s wife.” Considering Steinbeck’s purpose in making these decisions and the message he is conveying through these decisions will be a key teaching point of the unit.
At Match, students have a Composition class 4 days per week in addition to English class. Below, we have included Supplementary Composition Projects to reflect the material covered in our Composition course. For teachers who are interested in including these Composition Projects but do not have a separate Composition course, we have included a “Suggested Placement” to note where these projects would most logically fit into the English unit. While the Composition Projects may occasionally include content unrelated to English 9, most have both a skill and content connection to the work students are doing in their English 9 class.
In the literature lessons of this unit, students will be analyzing the deliberate choices made by Steinbeck to develop his characters. In these supplemental Composition Projects, students will be working toward writing their own narrative pieces where they are able to develop a particular character. Students will read excerpts from Barack Obama’s memoir Dreams from My Father, analyzing his use of detail and dialogue to craft a powerful narrative. Students will then write their own short reflection on a powerful moment they experienced with a person in their lives. After crafting their own narratives, students will examine the iconic photograph Migrant Mother and read two articles about the moment captured in this image. Upon reading them, students will write a reflection on the mother from the perspective of one of her grown children.
Texts and Materials
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Core Materials
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Book: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Supporting Materials
Photo: Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange
Article: “Letter to My Son” by Ta-Nahisi Coates
Article: “Friendship in an Age of Economics” by Todd May
Article: “The Harvest Gypsies: Article I” by John Steinbeck (San Francisco News, 1936)
Video: “Of Mice and Men (1/10) Movie CLIP - Lennie's Dead Mouse (1992) HD” by Movieclips (YouTube)
Article: “John Steinbeck Biography”
Poem: “To a Mouse”
Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama
Assessment
This assessment accompanies Unit 3 and should be given on the suggested assessment day or after completing the unit.
Key Knowledge
Intellectual Prep
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- Read and annotate the novel with the thematic questions in mind.
- How would you expect students might answer these questions on day one of the unit? How should their answers grow and develop over the course of the unit?
- Read and annotate “The Harvest Gypsies” article, considering what it reveals about Steinbeck’s views on migrant workers and their plight. Also consider what skills students will need to develop in order to independently make meaning of such complicated nonfiction text.
- Take the exam and write your mastery response to the essay portion of the exam.
- Read the Lesson Map and begin to consider where the spiraled skills from the last unit will fit.
- Read the paired composition projects and plan for where they will be sequenced with the unit.
Essential Questions
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Theme Questions:
- American Dream: Can the American Dream be for everyone? What is the line between dreams and reality?
- Power: How do power dynamics affect the lives of people? What is the role of an outsider in text? In life?
- Friendship: What is true friendship?
- Betrayal and Compassion: When is the hard decision the right one? The compassionate one? When is it betrayal?
Skill Questions:
- What techniques does Steinbeck use to convey his ideas in fiction? In nonfiction?
- What role does conflict play in a novel? How does the author use it to establish mood? Theme? Characterization?
Writing Focus Areas
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English Lessons Writing Focus Areas
- Thesis: clear and relevant thesis
- Evidence/Details: effectively uses best evidence/details to support topic/position (In literary analysis writing it means they use multiple specific details and quotations from the text to support a position.)
- Analysis: context clearly and sufficiently frames evidence (In literary analysis they will give context -- who, what when -- for their evidence.)
- Diction: includes precise language and advanced vocabulary
- Professionally Revised: complete and follows guidelines; adequate revisions
As homework or Do Nows, the teacher should assign narrative writing that asks students to consider events from the story from the perspective of another character. If students will also be completing the supplementary composition projects, such additional assignments may not be necessary.
Composition Projects Writing Focus Areas
- Thesis: clear and relevant thesis
- Evidence/Details: effectively uses best evidence/details to support topic/position (In narrative writing, this means students will focus on using vivid details, dialogue, and powerful anecdotes to develop their characters. In literary analysis writing, it means they use multiple specific details and quotations from the text to support a position.)
- Analysis: context clearly and sufficiently frames evidence (In narrative writing, students will be able to weave their anecdotes and details together to clearly characterize the person about whom they are writing. In literary analysis, they will give context—who, what when—for their evidence.)
- Diction: includes precise language and advanced vocabulary
- Professionally Revised: complete and follows guidelines; adequate revisions
Related Teacher Tools:
Vocabulary
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Literary Terms
foreshadowing, symbolism, characterization, character motivation/relationships, mood, power dynamics, conflict (external and internal)
Roots and Affixes
sub-, dis-
Text-based
morose (4, 23), resignedly (5), skeptically (19), mollify (24), pugnacious (25), receptive (37), subdued(49), entranced (55), reverently (57), subsided (58), bemused (6), aloof (64), disarming (69), scornful (102), ego (81), crestfallen (83), console (87), belligerently (102)
Idioms and Cultural References
tramps (2), “jes’,” ranch (6), “sock you” (8, 30), bindle (10), “poundin’ their tail” (13), “live off the fatta the lan’” (14, 56), “Western magazines” (17), bunkhouse (17), bindle (19), swamper (28), jerkline skinner (28), jail bait (32, 51, 56), solitaire (34, 55, etc.), “whingding” (46), “out of his misery” (47), euchre (48), grammar school (56), “scairt” (56), “two-bit” (79), Luger (96)
Content Knowledge and Connections
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Great Depression, migrant workers, American Dream
Previous Fishtank ELA Connections
- The theme of the 7th grade ELA course is The American Dream and the teacher can draw on students understanding of this concept and its limitations. Students who completed the 7th grade course will have read many novels and short stories with which the teacher can draw connections.
Future Fishtank ELA Connections
- The exploration of power dynamics in this unit will prepare students for Grade 10 English Language Arts Unit 2: The Crucible.
Lesson Map
Composition Projects
1
Narrative
(ON DEMAND)
Write a first-person narrative in which you reflect on an influential person in your life, including the effect that this person has had on you. Be sure to use specific details and events that help to portray the person about whom you are writing.
An effective essay:
- includes vivid descriptions and/or dialogue
- uses sensory details
- describes specific anecdotes
- uses precise diction to effectively characterize the influential person
- shows evidence of revision and editing
2
4 days
Analysis
(PROCESS)
Read pp. 5–10 of Dreams from My Father, by Barack Obama, to write an essay in response to the prompt below.
Analyze the techniques Obama uses (vivid descriptions, dialogue, powerful anecdotes, precise diction, specific details), to convey information about his father in this excerpt. Explain both the type of person his father was and how Obama conveys his character.
An effective essay:
- includes a clear and relevant thesis statement
- uses multiple pieces of evidence to support a position
- provides context—who, what, when—that clearly and sufficiently frames the evidence
- shows evidence of editing and revision
3
3 days
Narrative
(PROCESS)
For this question, you will write a narrative response based on Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. Your writing should:
- Use characters, settings, events, and other details from the novella.
- Use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Based on the events and characters in John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men, write a reflection on Lennie from the perspective of George, including the effect Lennie has had on George’s life. Be sure to use what you know about the characters, settings, and events from the book to develop your reflection.
An effective essay:
- includes vivid descriptions and/or dialogue
- uses sensory details
- describes specific anecdotes
- uses precise diction to effectively characterize the influential person
- shows evidence of revision and editing
4
2 days
Narrative
(ON DEMAND)
For this Composition Project, we have students read two passages and answer a prompt from the MCAS Grade 10 Computer-Based Practice Test available on TestNav because it is relevant to this course and provides our students with additional practice on MCAS passages and questions. We are unable to reproduce the content online here; however, teachers can find the passage and questions here. See passages 1 and 2, and the prompt on page 9.
Common Core Standards
Core Standards
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