E.Quinson

D-201

9h, Period 5

 

Monday, March 16, 2009

SWBAT:  examine the nature of friendship in John Steinbeck’s great novel:  Of Mice and Men, also to examine the Biblical allusion to eden at the beginning of Of Mice and Men.

DO NOW:  Write an entry:  define friendship.

DEVELOPMENT:

1. Discuss DO NOW entries.
2. Discuss with students that this novel has many themes and motifs, but most people remember it as a novel about friendship.
3. Distribute one copy of Of Mice and Men to each student.   Note on sheet which book number was assigned to each student.
4. Begin read aloud of Chapter 1. 
5. Discuss the setting and note imagery of the garden of Eden.  .
6. Discuss George and Lennie both physically and temperamentally.

H.W.:  1.  Read Chapter  1.  Blog it!  Describe George and Lennie and how we learn about them.   

 

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

SWBAT discuss omniscient narrator with a limited point of view in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.

DO NOW:  Write an entry:  Who is the narrator?  What is his/her perspective?

DEVELOPMENT: 

1. Review Do Now and homework entries.   The move on to discussion Questions:
2. Discussion Questions:
1. Who are Lennie and George?
2. What is  their position in society?
3. How d o they behave together? 
4. How do we make sense of what is going on ?
3. Distribute “To A Mouse” by Robert Burns. 
4. Lead group discussion where students analyse what the poem means and why Steinbeck would have chosen to take his title from this poem?  What is he trying to say, or is it too early to say?
5. Review/summarize.

H.W.:    1.  Read Chapter 2.  2.  Blog it!  Describe Curley and his relationship to the other characters. 

 

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

SWBAT:  make a list of the new characters we have met in Chapter 2 as well as their occupations and major characteristics.

DO NOW:  Write an entry in your writer’s notebook.  Describe one of the new characters to whom we have been introduced in your own words.

DEVELOPMENT:

1.      Share DO NOW entries. 

2.       Discuss an omniscient narrator with a particular point of view again.  How does that affect the way we see the new characters.  Ask for and discuss any questions of plot.

3.      Explain today's task to list new characters and their jobs on the ranch.  Are the names symbolic?   Distribute Novel Character Sheet.  Students will complete as many characters as possible.  This sheet can be used later to study for our culminating activity and the final exam!

4.      Students work in pairs to complete sheet.

5.      Group share and possibly fill out on overhead (if time allows).  Review H.W.

H.W.:  1.  Read Chapter 3, pp. 38-50, to the paragraph which begins "The door opened quietly..."  2.  Blog it!  What do you think about Candy's dog?  What would you have done?  Why?  What does this even tell about the different characters involved?  3.  Book fair tomorrow.  Meet directly there on you way back from lunch.

 

Thursday,  March 19, 2009 – Book fair, first half of class.  Meet directly there coming from lunch. 

SWBAT:  discuss the 1^st half of Chapter 3 of Of Mice and Men, building tension, suspense, foreshadowing.

DO NOW:  Write an entry in your writer's notebook:  Describe Lennie's history in Weed.  Why might this be important?

DEVELOPMENT:

1. Discuss DO NOW entries.  Discuss last night's H.W.  What about that dog?  What is the right thing to do?  Have you ever been in this position?  What about people? 
2. What about Weed?  Lennie’s relationship with the puppies?
3. Continue work on Novel Character sheet
4. Continue reading Chapter 3, as we go, discuss Candy’s opinions of others:  Curley, his wife, etc.  Is his opinion justified?  Can we trust Candy?
5. Discuss Steinbeck’s description of Slim and what this reveals about Slim’s character.  How do other character’s react to Slim? 
6. Review and summarize.

H.W.:   1.  Finish reading Chapter 3 and read all of Chapter 4, through page 83.  2.  Blog it!   Two blogs:  Describe the symbolism of the farm.  What is George's description of the farm?  Of what is it a symbol?  Explain Candy's reaction to George's dream.  Predict whether or not the dream will come true.  Consider Robert Burns' "To a Mouse."   Describe Curley’s wife.  Does she have any redeeming characteristics?  What is her purpose in the novel? 

 

Friday, March 20, 2009 – Sup’t Conf. Day

 

Monday, March 23, 2009

SWBAT:  discuss plot and thematic developments in the end of Chapter 3 and in Chapter 4 of Of Mice and Men.

DO NOW:  Write an entry in your writer's notebook:  Do you think the dream will come true?  Why or why not?

DEVELOPMENT:

1.  Review DO NOW entries.  Ask if there are any particular questions about the plot.  Have we reached a climax yet?  What do you suppose the climax is going to be:

2.  Conduct whole group discussion.  Discussion questions:

Chapter 3:

·        What is the significance of quote on p. 60:  "This thing they had never really believed in was coming true?"

·        Why does Candy think he  should have shot his dog himself? (p. 61)

·        Explain Lennie and Curley's fight.  Who was to blame?  Why?

·        Why does Curley agree to cover it up? (pp. 62-64)

Chapter 4:

·        What do we learn about Crooks from his room? (pp.66-67)

·        What kind of a person is Crooks? (

·        What is the importance of talking?  Of being with other people? (p. 70-71)

·        What is Crooks' reaction to the dream?  Why?

·        What message might Steinbeck be conveying by bringing Candy, Crooks and Lennie together?

·        How is Lennie's treatment of his puppy typical of his character?

·        In what way is Curley's wife also a dreamer?

·        Is her dream any more or less realistic than George and Lennie's?

·        How does she feel about her husband?

·        What happens between Lennie and Curley's wife?

·        How does Lennie react to what has happened?  What does he do?  Why?

·        Explain what George and Candy realize about the dream.

·        Can Lennie be held accountable for his actions?

·        Why or Why not?

·        Who is to blame?

4.  Review and summarize.

H.W.:  1.  Finish the novella.  2.  Blog it!  Choose?  Compare the reactions of Candy, Curley, and Slim to what happens between Lennie and Curley's wife.  Or  Answer Carlson’s question:  “Now what the hell ya suppose it eatin’ them two guys?”

 

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

SWBAT:  Analyze how the final events of Of Mice and Men were foreshadowed.

DO NOW:  Write an entry in your writer’s notebook:  Was George right to do what he did?  Why or why not?

DEVELOPMENT: 

1.      Discuss DO NOW entries. 

2.      Discuss plot events and the following questions:

·        Explain how the final scene between Lennie and George was foreshadowed by another event in the novel. What was the event?  How are these two events similar?

·        What does this parallel reveal about George's motives?

·        Explain the significance of George's last remarks to Lennie.p.106

·        What are the major themes of the novel?

3.  Whole group discussion about George’s dilemma.  Was his behavior ethical?  Why or why not? Is it murder? Why or why not?  

H.W.:  1.  Study for in class essay tomorrow.  How do you do this?  Review vocabulary.  Review writers’ notebook, review class notes.  Sleep well.  Review the novel itself.  It’s short you could re-read at least parts of it, depending on the time you have available.

 

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 and Thursday, March 26, 2009

In class vocabulary test and critical lens essay. 

 

Friday, March 27, 2009 –begin Romeo and Juliet or begin Night???  I’m thinking Night, then we’re done with short works.  Or Maybe House of Mango Street and Night then Shakespeare….  Will we be finished in time for the ballet?