Date 11/17/14 Class: English 3 Block
EQ: How do the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry?
EV: proverb
Warm up/appetizer:
□ Review the power of an image concept by showing picture in PowerPoint. Have students respond on a separate sheet (to which they will add their three questions for the novel later)
Lesson/Main Course:
□ Review background notes for the novel, by going through PowerPoint together
□ BREAK
□ Have students discuss the final question on the powerpoint using yarn to track the discussion as people participate. Explain after the discussion how the yarn allows you to track who has and hasn’t participated and how a level three question allows for broader discussion where more ideas can be brought to the table, but they are all connected thematically just as the discussion is connected with the yarn.
□ Explain that they will be doing the same with literature circles, which we will talk more about as we begin reading the novel, but they will be drafting their own level three questions to ask as they read.
□ Review the difference between level one, two and three questions and use the yarn to demonstrate how level one and two can’t be stretched like level three questions can
Closure/Dessert:
□ Have students practice coming up with level 1, 2 and 3 questions for a text of their own. Turn in as they leave
□ Begin reading first section together—have students finish first section at home
Materials neededIntro PPT / literature circle introduction
Date 11/18/14 Class: English 3 Block
EQ: What is friendship?
EV: Creed
Warm up/appetizer:
□ Show students video clip from the movie Of Mice and Men (3:15) in PowerPoint and then play “One Friend” by Dan Seals. Students should analyze the lyrics and then answer the following question:
o What factors go into creating a great friendship?
o Why do you suppose George feels the need to care for Lennie?
Lesson/Main Course:
□ Read section 1 and 2 of OMM
□ Review expectations for literature circle—do a sample literature circle at the front of the room using volunteers from the class to answer the question What is friendship?
□ Have students create their 3 questions for their literature circle, compare and discuss questions with a partner—certify that they are level 3 questions.
□ Complete literature circle (20 minutes)
Closure/Dessert:
□ Review study guide for section 1 and chart for characters—review vocabulary quiz (extra credit) and discuss.
Materials neededDan seals’ song / literature circle notes
Date: 11/19/14 Class: English 3 Block
EQ: How do our peers allow us to analyze the depth of a story’s theme?
EV: theme
Warm up/appetizer:
□ Read “This I believe” by Tony Hawk
Lesson/Main Course:
□ Read section 4 and discuss using the study guide
Closure/Dessert:
□ Students should work on reading or their study guide for the remainder of
Materials needed class.lit circle discussion sheet / lit circle reflection
Date: 11/20/14 Class: English 3 Block
EQ: What does it mean to be strong?
EV: indirect (characterize)
Warm up/appetizer:
o Strong vs. weak characters
Lesson/Main Course:
□ Literature circle # 2
Closure/Dessert:
□ Finish the chart for the characters in the novel
Materials neededPowerPoint / video
Date: 11/21/14 Class: English 3 Block
EQ: How do our peers allow us to analyze the depth of a story’s theme?
EV: analyze
Warm up/appetizer:
o Vocabulary Quiz
Lesson/Main Course:
□ Finish reading and discussing OMM
Closure/Dessert:
□ Finish up study guide and reflect
Materials needed11-24/ 11-25