NAMES:

PERIOD:

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 friends and make big plans for the future.

Today, 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.Therefore, you may work with a partner to complete the work (no groups larger than three!!!).

  1. Geography
  • Setting in Of Mice and Men-
  • Farm Bureau Monterey
  • Steinbeck Country-
  • 1 additional, reliable website that you find (record URL)

Questions(type responses in blue):

  1. What are the geographical features of California’s Salinas River Valley?
  2. What is the Salinas Valley known for producing?
  3. What kinds of jobs are available in Monterey County?
  4. Identify and briefly explain specific locations relevant to Of Mice and Men.
  5. Why is this part of California known as “Steinbeck Country”? Would Steinbeck have approved this namesake? Why or why not?
  6. What predictions can you make about the novel Of Mice and Men based on the geographical and agricultural features of this area? Include supporting details in your response.
  7. Find and paste below of three to five images depicting information from your search. (NOTE: Any time you are asked to paste pictures, size them appropriately so they do not take up too much space but are still clear enough to see.)
  1. Sociology (Cultural):
  1. The Great Depression
  • The Migrant Experience
  • Photos of Great Depression
  • Photographs of signs reinforcing racial discrimination
  • Photos of Migrant Workers
  • Photos of Migrant Workers
  • About theGreat Depression
  • About the Great Depression
  • 1 additional, reliable website that you find (record URL)

Questions(type responses in blue):

  1. When and what was the Great Depression?
  2. What are some of the factors that caused the Great Depression?
  3. How did people cope during the Great Depression? What sacrifices did people make?
  4. Who were the migrant workers and how did the Great Depression affect them?
  5. Find and paste three-five images depicting life during the Great Depression.
  1. The Dust Bowl

Questions (type responses in blue):

  1. What kind of severe weather conditions did the nation experience between 1935-1936?
  2. What caused the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma?
  3. What was “Black Sunday?”
  4. What is a “snuster?”
  5. How were students affected during a dust storm?
  6. What did the Dust Bowl era teach farmers?
  7. Find and paste three images depicting the Dust Bowl.
  1. Civil Rights
  • Oral History with women who lived during the Dust Bowl (begins 21 min. into the audio)
  • Oral Histories ofthe Great Depression from University of Illinois
  • Black history
  • Amos 'n’ Andy

Questions (type responses in blue):

  1. What is the origin of the term Jim Crow laws, and what was the purpose of such laws?
  2. How were African-Americans portrayed in the media during the Great Depression, for example in the radio show “Amos ‘n Andy”?
  3. For the visual portion of your presentation, develop a collage of photos of migrant workers, African Americans, and women in the 1930s.
  1. Pop Culture

Use the linkto find one interesting fact on each of the following topics:

  • 1 additional, reliable website that you find (record URL)

Questions (type responses in blue):

•Famous people

•Education

•Art and architecture

•Fads and fashions

•Literature

•Music

•Radio

•Science/Technology

•Theater and film

•Also, how much did the following items cost?

•Milk

•Bread

•Car

•House

•What was the average household income?

•Find and paste 5-7 images depicting the information above.

  1. Sociology (Financial):

New York Stock Exchange– history

PBS site

Oral Histories of the Great Depression from University of Illinois

New York Times headlines from the Crash

Time Magazine Photo Gallery of the Crash

1 additional, reliable website that you find (record URL)

Questions(type responses in blue):

  1. What is the history of the New York Stock Exchange?
  2. What was the condition of the U.S. stock market during the 1920s?
  3. What was the stock market crash; when and how did it occur?
  4. How was the average American affected by the crash, and how did he/she react to it?
  5. What did President Roosevelt (AKA “FDR”) do to try to stem the tide of worried Americans rushing the banks?
  6. What was the mood of the American people, as captured by the New York Times news coverage on and after the day of the crash?
  7. Find and paste three-five images from the time of the crash.
  1. Psychology:
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Intellectual Disability-Defined
  • Mental Disabilities and Physical Health and Well-Being
  • Caregiver Stress
  • 1 additional, reliable website that you find (record URL)

Questions (type responses in blue):

1. What is a mental disability and how does it impact a person’s everyday life?

  1. What are some of the causes of mental disabilities?
  2. What are some examples of “life skills,” and how do they relate to people with mental disabilities?
  3. What are some of the difficulties caretakers face when caring for a mentally disabled person?
  4. What other health risks do people with mental disabilities face?
  5. How has the diagnosis of mental disabilities changed over the past century?
  6. Find three to five images that represent the challenges of having an intellectual disability and being a caregiver for someone who is intellectually disabled. Paste below.
  1. Biography:
  • John Steinbeck Biography
  • John Steinbeck's Nobel Prize
  • Steinbeck Literary Works
  • Steinbeck Country-
  • 1 additional, reliable website that you find (record URL)

Questions(type responses in blue):

  1. List some of the major facts about Steinbeck’s life.
  2. Why was John Steinbeck awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962?
  3. What influenced Steinbeck to write the novella, Of Mice and Men?
  4. What are some other major works written by Steinbeck?
  5. Which two major elements did Steinbeck rely on for much of his writing?
  6. What was John Steinbeck’s relationship to the Salinas Valley?
  7. Find and paste below photos of Steinbeck and covers of his most significant novels.