1. Webquest

2. Introduction We will soon begin reading John Steinbeck’s
novel, Of Mice and Men. The novel takes
the reader on a journey through the lives of
two men, Lennie and George. These
two men become
best friends and
make big plans
for the future.

3. Introduction
Today, each of you will be researching some of the background information about the novel. There is much to learn about the time period, setting, author, and other information important to the novel.
After you receive your topic, you will get together with your partner(s) and research together. Based off your research, you will create a group presentation to deliver next class.
One person from each group should upload your presentation on Google Classroom before the end of the class period. In a private note, be sure to write all of your group member names.

4. The Quest:
Each group will be responsible for presenting information on one topic. The topics include the Dust Bowl; the Great Depression; migrant workers; the New Deal, Salinas Valley and Soledad; John Steinbeck; mental disabilities; African Americans, Women and the Elderly in the 1930s.

5. The Process and Presentation:
the group will get together to prepare and present the information they found to the class in powerpoint form or any other creative technology-based medium. (5 min max)
Each member will be expected to participate in the oral presentation.

6. The Resources/Grading
You will use the websites provided to find the information you need. Just click on the URL address, or feel free to do additional research
When you get to the websites, read over your information and answer the questions as completely as possible.
Your oral presentation and powerpoint will count as a group grade.
Be sure to cite MLA style and include pictures as necessary

7. 1 - The Great Depression What lead up to the stock market crash?
Explain “Black Thursday” and “Black Tuesday.”
What was the impact of the Crash?
How and by whom was the term “depression“ coined?
What were some social problems during The Great Depression?
How did the depression affect children?
Causes of Great Depression

8. 2- African Americans, Women and the Elderly in the 1930s
What were Jim Crow Laws and how did they affect African Americans? 2. Listen to some narratives of African Americans during this time. Summarize the stories told in two of them. 3. What jobs were open to women during The Great Depression? 4. How were marriages impacted by The Great Depression? 5. How were elderly people affected by The Great Depression? 6. What government support was available to the elderly during The Great Depression? **Links on following page**

9. Links for topic #2 The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow Personal Narratives
African American Life During the Great Depression
The Invisible Women of the Great Depression
Care for the Elderly during the Depression
Social and Cultural Effects of the Great Depression
Eyewitness to History in the Great Depression

10. 3 - The Dust Bowl
Use the links below to answer the following questions:
1. What kind of severe weather conditions did the nation experience between ?
What caused the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma?
What was “Black Sunday?”
How were students affected during a dust storm?
What did the Dust Bowl era teach farmers?

11. 4 - Farmers/Migrant Workers
Use the links below to answer the following questions:
Why were the farmers forced to migrate to California? What were some of the benefits for farmers living in California?
What were the migrants called and why?
How many migrants would enter California each month?
Was California the “promised land” of the migrant’s dreams? Why or why not?
5. What did the migrants do to maintain a steady income?
6. How did WWII help the working conditions of some of the migrants?

12. 5 - The New Deal
Use the links below to answer the following questions:
Who was the president at the beginning of the Great Depression? Who beat him in the 1932 election? Why?
What line did the president say in his inaugural address that quickly became a famous quote?
What was the president’s first act when he got into office?
What was the “Hundred Days?”
Explain how the president created jobs for the unemployed. Include at least three specific examples.

13. 6 - John Steinbeck Use the links to answer the following questions:
When and where was John Steinbeck born? When and where did he die?
Where did Steinbeck go to college? When did he graduate?
What experience helped Steinbeck portray the lives of workers?
What was Steinbeck’s first successful work?
When was Of Mice and Men published?
Which works were made into a play and/or movie?
What are major conflicts and themes Steinbeck explores?

14. 7 - Salinas Valley/Soledad, California
Use the links below to answer the following questions:
Where is the Salinas Valley located?
What county is it a part of?
What does Soledad mean?
What are some of the agricultural productw produced in Soledad?
What makes the Salinas River so special?

15. 8 - Mental Disabilities
1.What is a mental disability? 2. How does a mental disability affect a person's everyday life? 3. What is a caregiver and what difficulties do they face? 4. How were mentally disabled people seen in the 1930s? How are they seen today? 5. What is the role of friendship in caring for the mentally disabled? 6. What do mentally disabled people add to our society? 7. What is the American Disabilities Act and IDEA?
Links are on separate slide (you’ll have more than enough)

16. #8 - Links for Mental Disabilities
Mental Retardation
CDC on Intellectual Disability
NY Times Guide to Mental Retardation
More on Mental Retardation
Caring for a Mentally Disabled Person
Friendship and the Mentally Disabled
Best Buddies
20th Century History of Mental Illness
1930's Mental Illness History
**1930's Psychiatric Care**
Psychiatric Care in 1930's
IDEA and ADA
ADA and IDEA
Links from The Arc

17. Good Luck on your Quest!