Of Mice and Men Discussion Assignment

This year we have worked very hard on understanding a text and its significance. At this point in the year, you should be able to demonstrate the following skills:

  • I can read a text and understand its significance.
  • I can analyze that significance in writing and speaking.
  • I can identify how an author creates meaning in a text.
  • I can analyze an author’s word choice and discuss both denotative and connotative meanings.
  • I can identify and analyze the theme of a novel.
  • I can analyze how an author characterizes directly and indirectly.
  • I can analyze how an author uses setting to create meaning in a text.
  • I can be both a productive sender and receiver in a discussion.
  • I can connect ideas from the novel to other texts and experiences.

During our Of Mice and Men unit, you will have the opportunity to show me that you have acquired these skills. You will discuss each chapter of the novel using a variety of discussion formats. The topics for discussion will come from you, and you will drive the discussion every day.

Preparation for the discussion

For each discussion you will prepare a journal that has three sections:

  1. Double-entry journal in which you identify at least three significant passages from the chapter and analyze their significance.
  2. Two or three thought provoking questions.
  3. Thoughts about the essential question for our unit – Am I my brother’s keeper?

Assessment

  1. Journal for the unit completed for each chapter.
  2. Discussion – you must participate a minimum of two times during each discussion.
  3. Final synthesis assignment

Before you read the book:

  1. On MOODLE in the Of Mice and Men block, do the Choice activity.

Example Journal

Chapter 1

A. Double-Entry Journal

Quotation / Significance
Pg. 1
The water is warm too, for it has slopped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight before reaching the narrow pool. . .the valley side the water is lined with trees-willows fresh and green. . . / Imagery and setting
This place is like a little slice of paradise nestled next to the Gabilan mountains. I understand why George would want to spend the night there under the stars; it is a good place to just relax.
Pg. 3
“You never oughta drink water when it ain’t running, Lennie. . .” / Theme of friendship
George is a good friend to Lennie because he wants to make sure Lennie won’t get sick, so he tells him to stay away from “scummy” water. George is like a father to Lennie, making sure he is safe from danger.
Pg. 3
Lennie dabbled his big paw in the water and wiggled his fingers. . .” / Animal Imagery
Lennie is described using a lot of animal imagery. Maybe the author wants the reader to think of Lennie as an animal—less than human? ? ? IDK

B. Provoking Questions

1. Why does Steinbeck compare Lennie to animals?

2. What happened in Weed?

3. What is the relationship between George and Lennie?

C. Essential Question – Am I my Brother’s Keeper?

At this point in the novel, Steinbeck would seem to suggest that we are responsible for one another. George seems to constantly take care of Lennie by keeping him from drinking dirty water, helping him get food, getting them a job, and keeping Lennie from harming himself or animals. George does seem to get frustrated and even yells at Lennie after he acts unreasonably about having ketchup for his beans. Perhaps Steinbeck will eventually show the cost of being someone’s keeper? At what point does one’s own well-being come before someone else’s?

Character Log

Character / Physical Appearance / Personality and Dream
George Milton
Lennie Small
Slim
Candy
Crooks
Carlson
Curley
Curley’s Wife