1. Of Mice and Men A Pre-Reading Journey

2. Participants Heterogeneous, junior level class Heterogeneous, junior level class Low-level readers Low-level readers Visual learners Visual learners Do we HAVE to?

3. Objectives Effective utilization of primary documents Effective utilization of primary documents Search techniques for www.loc.gov Search techniques for www.loc.govwww.loc.gov Oral and written application: two pre- reading activities Oral and written application: two pre- reading activities

4. Why Pre-Reading? Student interest Student interest Prior knowledge Prior knowledge Historical connection in literature Historical connection in literature

5. Pre-Reading Activities “A Picture is Worth a...Kajillion Words” “A Picture is Worth a...Kajillion Words” Jigsaw Activity – Historical Context Jigsaw Activity – Historical Context

6. “What’s a primary resource?” Photographs Photographs Documents and manuscripts Documents and manuscripts Audio and video clips Audio and video clips

7. PRE Pre-Reading

8. Student Use of LOC Small group analysis Small group analysis Historical context Historical context “What does the picture tell us?” “What does the picture tell us?” “What else do we see?” “What else do we see?”

9. Their Turn… Access to LOC website Access to LOC website Wireless laptops Wireless laptops Projector Projector Search techniques Search techniques Audience participation Audience participation Good attitudes Good attitudes

10. “What’s a bindle stiff?”

11. “Madame, your chamber awaits…”

12. “Laundry Day”

13. “Man, my back is killing me!”

14. “You live in a WHAT?!”

15. “Family Bonding”

16. The bottom line? “What have you learned about… “What have you learned about… …the Depression?” …the Depression?” …the lifestyle of migrant farm workers?” …the lifestyle of migrant farm workers?” …hardship and poverty?” …hardship and poverty?”

17. Jigsaw Activity Small groups Small groups Select research topic Select research topic Research strategies Research strategies Oral presentation and paper Oral presentation and paper

18. Topics, topics, topics! Biographical background of John Steinbeck Biographical background of John Steinbeck Connection: Life experiences and writing Connection: Life experiences and writing “He’s not a bad looking guy! Maybe this won’t be too bad.” “He’s not a bad looking guy! Maybe this won’t be too bad.”

19. “Geography, Shmagraphy!” Locations from the novel Locations from the novel A focus on the Salinas Valley A focus on the Salinas Valley Post-Reading question: “How does the topography affect the novel’s events?” Post-Reading question: “How does the topography affect the novel’s events?”

20. “Do migrant workers fly south for the winter too?” Characteristics of lifestyle Characteristics of lifestyle Percentage of workers who ever owned their own farms Percentage of workers who ever owned their own farms Societal factors and influences Societal factors and influences

21. Music and Cultural Influences

23. Social Commentary: Genre as a Whole

24. Social Commentary: Individual Artists

25. “Boy, you’re a cheap date!” Entertainment options Entertainment options Typical themes Typical themes Popular? Popular?

26. “Politics, Anyone?” Social issues Social issues Unemployment Unemployment Economic Issues Economic Issues Political Agendas Political Agendas

27. Assessment “Professional” Presentation “Professional” Presentation Demonstrates understanding PowerPoint Written Component Written Component Research methods Project Information

28. Time to Read!

29. Questions? Thank you for your attention!