Aim: Who are George and Lennie in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men?

Reading Comprehension 1. Which animal comes out to sit on the sand in the evening? a. rabbitsb. deerc. lizardsd. dogs 2. Which literary element is employed in the first paragraph? a. personificationc. metaphor b. imageryd. conflict 3. Based on the description given in the first paragraph, the animals a. try to avoid each other b. are desperate for water c. come out at night d. have been hurt by the winter’s flooding 4. The line, “The shade climbed up the hills toward the top,” is an example of a. personificationc. metaphor b. imageryd. conflict 5. The paragraph beginning with, “They had walked…” serves largely to provide a. characterizationc. conflict b. settingd. theme 6. George seems to be a. the one in controlb. looking out for Lennie c. smarter than Lennied. all of the above 7. The line, “They run us outta Weed,” tells the reader a. Lennie did a bad thing in Weed b. Lennie found the dead mouse in Weed c. George and Lennie first met in Weed d. all of the above 8. How does Lennie kill the mice? a. He doesn’t pay enough attention to them b. He doesn’t; he always find them dead c. He squeezes them too hard d. all of the above

The Basics Novella : longer than a short story and shorter than a novel Setting : Salinas Valley, California Characters : George & Lennie Point of view : ?

Aim: What is George and Lennie’s shared dream?

Irony: Lennie is physically a giant but emotionally & mentally a little child Irony: Lennie is physically a giant but emotionally & mentally a little child Theme: What theme is set up in the first section of the novella? Theme: What theme is set up in the first section of the novella? Friendship Friendship Deeper Understanding

Aim: How do we practice our reading comprehension with Of Mice and Men?

1. How can the bunk house be best described?

a. warm and cozy b. hinting of a woman’s touch c. fulfilling basic needs d. cold and bare

2. What does George find that makes him so upset?

a. a red splotch on an egg b. a yellow can of roach spray c. a spot on his boil potato d. a burlap sack of straw that was a mattress

3. What does the boss mean when he asks George, “Say – what you sellin’?”

a. he believes George is trying to sell Lennie b. he believes George may be trying to take advantage of Lennie c. he believes George is selling off Lennie’s pay d. all of the above

Aim: How do Curley and his wife pose a threat to George and Lennie? Do Now: Complete the following sentence: George and Lennie are…

Compare and Contrast CurleySlim “There was a gravity in his manner…” “He looked kindly at the two in the bunk house.” “His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject…” “Never did seem right to me.” “He glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie.” A foil is another character in a story who contrasts with the main character, usually to highlight one of their attributes How do these two characters serve as foils for George and Lennie?

How would you characterize the secondary characters in Of Mice and Men? George & Lennie CandyCurley Curley’s Wife Slim Old Man… Pugnacious… Flirtacious… Respected…

Aim: How is Candy’s dog an extension of himself? Do Now: How is each character disabled in some way? George, Lennie, Candy, Curley

How would you characterize the secondary characters in Of Mice and Men? George & Lennie CandyCurley Curley’s Wife Slim Old Man… Pugnacious… Flirtacious… Respected…

Candy’s dog “This ol’dog jus’ suffers hisself all the time. If you was to take him out and shoot him right in the bak of the head – right there, why he’d never know what hit him.” “I been around him so much I never notice how he stinks.” “I had him so long. Had him since he was a pup. I herded sheep with him. You wouldn’t think it to look at him now, but he was the best damn sheep dog I ever seen.” Carlson Candy What statement is being made about those who are seen as old and useless? Which conflict is being depicted here?

Candy’s dog “This ol’dog jus’ sufers hisself all the time. If you was to take him out and shoot him right in the bak of the head – right there, why he’d never know what hit him.” “I been around him so much I never notice how he stinks.” “I had him so long. Had him since he was a pup. I herded sheep with him. You wouldn’t think it to look at him now, but he was the best damn sheep dog I ever seen.” Carlson Candy What statement is being made about those who are seen as old and useless? Which conflict is being depicted here?

Why did Candy allow his dog to be put down? Did Carlson do the humane thing by putting down Candy’s dog? Should Candy have let his dog live out his years? Should the weaker members of society be cast away? What should be done with them? What should happen to Candy once he can no longer work?

Aim: How does Candy join George and Lennie’s dream for the future and how is that dream immediately threatened? Do Now:

“We could live offa the fatta the lan’.” How could Candy help George and Lennie achieve their dream? What could it also offer Candy?

How does Curley’s fight with Lennie threaten the future of George, Lennie and Candy? “The next minute Curley was flopping like a fish on a line, and his closed fist was lost in Lennie’s big hand.” What role does Slim play in the fight?

Aim: How is the theme of loneliness and isolation explored in Of Mice and Men? Do Now: Read p Who is Crooks? How is he characterized? Please provide your response in your best, complete sentences. Do Now: Read p Who is Crooks? How is he characterized? Please provide your response in your best, complete sentences.

Crooks How does Crooks compare to Lennie and Candy?

WeakStrong CurleyCarlsonGeorgeSlimLennieCandyCrooks Define each character’s weakness and strength.

Aim: How can we characterize the secondary characters in Of Mice and Men? Do Now: Complete the following sentence: Curley is…

How would you characterize the secondary characters in Of Mice and Men? George & Lennie CandyCurley Curley’s Wife Slim Old Man… Pugnacious… Flirtacious… Respected…

Compare and Contrast CurleySlim “There was a gravity in his manner…” “He looked kindly at the two in the bunk house.” “His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject…” “Never did seem right to me.” “He glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie.” A foil is another character in a story who contrasts with the main character, usually to highlight one of their attributes How do these two characters serve as foils for George and Lennie?

Vocabulary & Grammar PugnaciousBelligerentSolitudeTimid GlanceAuthorityMannerContemplate AnguishEmergeCommas Subject-verb agreement Tense

Literary Elements Characterization Plot Conflict Theme Setting Point of View

Literary Techniques Irony Personification Foreshadow Imagery

Aim: How can we incorporate transitional words in our writing? Do Now: Answer the following questions: 1. What is one theme from Of Mice and Men? 2. Which characters exemplify this theme? 3. Which moments illustrate this theme? 4. How does the theme help develop the plot of Of Mice and Men?

Let’s write a paragraph about theme! 1. What is one theme from Of Mice and Men?2. Which characters exemplify this theme?3. Which moments illustrate this theme? 4. How does the theme help develop the plot of Of Mice and Men?

Paragraph Format Topic Sentence – What is one theme from Of Mice and Men? Transition - Generalizing Provide Example – Which characters exemplify this theme? Transition - Exemplifying Explain Example – Which moments illustrate this theme? Transition – Illustration Connect Example – How does this theme help develop the plot? Transition – Consequence, Restatement & Summarizing

Who is this story about? Who is the driver of the story? Who has the most to gain or lose? What has the most obstacles to overcome? Who changes the most from the beginning to end?