This document provides materials for teaching John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, including: 1) A table of contents outlining packets on vocabulary, characterization, reading questions, and themes. 2) Learning objectives and assessments for the unit. 3) Charts for a KWL activity on the Great Depression and migrant workers. 4) A vocabulary list with definitions and example sentences from the book. 5) Notes and examples on direct and indirect characterization. 6) Sample reading questions about specific characters and events in sections of the book.

1. OF MICE AND MEN
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Page 2: KWL - Great Depression
Page 4: Vocabulary
Page 8: Characterization
Page 10: Reading Questions
Page 14: Dreams and Desires
Page 16: Powerful or Powerless
Page 17: Reading Journal
John Steinbeck
COMP & LIT 2014
UNIT 2
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) What role do dreams play in our lives?
2) What is the definition of true friendship?
3) Is it ever truly possible for there to be a society where everyone is treated as an equal?
4) To what extent should a society provide a safety net for people living on the fringes of society? What are the
components of a good, healthy society?
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2.
TITLE DESCRIPTOR SUMMATIVE
ASSESSMENTS
FORMATIVE
ASSESSMENTS
Objective 2 Writing
Process
Engage in a writing process that
includes drafting, editing, revising,
and giving/responding to feedback
Writing Process for
Persuasive Essay
-Meeting deadlines (OMAM
Essay)
-Feedback forms
Objective 3 Reading
Strategies
Comprehend specific language use
and major literary elements / devices
to understand, analyze and draw
conclusions about a work of
literature.
OMAM Vocabulary
Test
OMAM Persuasive
Essay
-Vocab HW
-Vocab Pre-Test
-OMAM Journal Entries
-STEAL worksheets
-7 Conflict Types
Objective 4 Analytical
Writing
Write a well-organized analytical
essay using textual evidence to
discuss the major themes, concepts,
ideas, and/or craft and structure of a
novel.
OMAM Persuasive
Essay
-Drafts of OMAM Essay
Objective 5 Learning
Habits
Demonstrate commitment,
accountability, integrity, and
dependability
Self-Assessment -Ongoing homework
completion and class
participation
Objective 9 On-Demand
Thinking and
Writing
Write independently in shorter time
frames to demonstrate ability to
swiftly develop and effectively
communicate ideas.
In-Class Timed
Writing (dreams)
-Timed writing
pre-assessment (friendship)
-Journal Entries
KWL - Know, Want to Know, Learned
The Great Depression
Know Want to Know Learned
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3.
Migrant Workers
Know Want to Know Learned
ADDITIONAL NOTES ON JOHN STEINBECK AND ​OF MICE AND MEN
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4. Of Mice and Men​ Vocabulary Name:
1. ​Juncture​ (​noun​)
Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 1)
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Original Sentence:
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2. ​Morose​ (​adj.​)
Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 4 & 23)
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Original Sentence:
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3. ​Pantomime​ (​noun​)
Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 8)
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5. _____________________________________________________________________
Original Sentence:
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4. ​Imperious​ (​adj.​)
Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 9)
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Original Sentence:
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5. ​Pugnacious​ (​adj.​)
Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 25)
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Original Sentence:
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6. ​Ominous​ (​adj.​)
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6. Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 27)
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Original Sentence:
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7. ​Quiver​ (​verb​)
Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 45)
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Original Sentence:
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8. ​Subdued​ (​adj.​)
Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 49)
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7. 9. ​Reprehensible​ (​adj.​)
Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 59)
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Original Sentence:
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10. ​Fawning​ (​verb​)
Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 68)
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Original Sentence:
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11. ​Indignation​ (​noun​)
Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 78)
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8.
Original Sentence:
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12. Sullen​ (​adj.​)
Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 86)
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Original Sentence:
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13. Bewilder​ (​verb​)
Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 91)
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Original Sentence:
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14. Monotonous​ (​adj.​)
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9. Definition:
Book Sentence: (page 103)
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Original Sentence:
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Name:__________________________ Class:_______
Characterization
Essential Questions: ​What is ​characterization​? What is ​direct characterization​? What is ​indirect characterization?
NOTES
1. Characterization​ is the process by which the writer reveals the _____________________________ of a
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10. character. Characterization is revealed through __________________ characterization and
_________________ characterization.
2. Direct characterization​ ______________ the audience what the personality of the character is.
Example​: “The patient boy and quiet girl were well mannered and did not disobey their mother.”
​Explanation​: The author is directly telling the audience the personality of these two children. The boy
is “______________” and the girl is “_____________________.”
3. Indirect characterization​ ___________________ things that reveal the personality of a character. There are
______ different methods of indirect characterization:
S​________________
● What does the character say?
● How does the character speak?
T​_______________
● What is revealed through the character’s private
thoughts and feelings?
E​________________
● What is revealed through the character’s effect
on other people?
● How do other characters feel and behave in
reaction to the character?
A​________________
● What does the character do? How does the
character behave?
L​________________
● What does the character look like?
● How does the character dress?
Characterization of ______________________ in ​Of Mice and Men
Types of ​indirect
characterization
Textual Evidence with Page # Explanation
Speech
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11.
Thoughts
Actions
Effects on others
Looks
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12. SOME READING QUESTIONS
Pages 38-65 Reading Questions
1. What is Slim's attitude toward George and Lennie's relationship? Why does he feel this way?
2. Why does Carlson want to shoot Candy's dog?
3. How is Curley's wife characterized? Give one quote to support your answer.
4. Why does Curley try to fight Lennie? Then, explain what happens. And explain how Slim saves them from being
fired.
5. Why does Candy want to become part of George and Lennie's dream? Why does George let him?
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13. Pages 66-83 Reading Questions
1. Why does Crooks strongly defend his territory?
2. Why does Crooks force Lennie to imagine life without George?
3. What problem do Crooks and Curley's wife share?
4. What does Curley's wife threaten Crooks with? How effective is this threat?
5. Why does Crooks pretend that he doesn't want to live on the ranch with Candy, George, and Lennie?
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14. Pages 84-98 Reading Questions
1. How does Lennie try to justify the puppy’s death? What do you think he should do at this time?
2. Curley’s wife tells Lennie that he can always get another puppy because there are so many of
them. This implies their lack of value. Tie this in with how Curley’s wife views men and
connect the puppies to the farm workers.
3. What do you learn about Curley’s wife? What career could she have had? Who does she
blame for not getting to Hollywood?
4. What clues have there been throughout the book to foreshadow the fate of Curley’s wife?
5. Explain the attitudes of each of these character's towards what happens to Curley's wife and what should
be done about Lennie: Candy, Curley, Slim, George.
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15. Pages 99-107 Reading Questions
1. Compare the beginning of chapter one with the beginning of chapter six. How are they
similar?
2. Why does Lennie think of Aunt Clara now? What does the rabbit mean?
3. Why does George do what he does to Lennie? What gave him the idea? Do you think he was right?
4. How is what happens between George and Lennie tied to Candy’s regret about what he does to his dog?
5. How does Slim act at the end of the novel-- and why?
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16. MAJOR DESIRES AND DREAMS
Instructions​: As you are reading ​Of Mice and Men​, keep a running list of each character’s major desires/dreams,
interesting characterization, anything that has to do with the character’s power in the novel. Feel free to change your
list as you learn more. Be sure to write the page number as a reference next to the description.
Each Character’s Major Desires/Dreams - Interesting Characterization -
Powerful or Powerless?
Lennie:
George:
Candy:
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17. Slim:
Curley:
Curley’s
wife:
Crooks:
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18. POWERFUL OR POWERLESS?
Now: Rank each of the characters in this chapter: George, Lennie, Curley, the Boss, Crooks, Curley’s wife,
Slim, Candy
Most Powerful Why do they rank here?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Least Powerful
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19. Name: Class:
Of Mice and Men​ Journal
Date:_______________ Reading Assignment:_____-_____
On-Demand Writing Prompt 1: ​_______________________________________________________
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20. _______________________________________________________________________________
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Date:_______________ Reading Assignment:_____-_____
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21. _______________________________________________________________________________
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Date:_______________ Reading Assignment:_____-_____
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Entry​:___________________________________________________________________________
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22. _______________________________________________________________________________
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Date:_______________ Reading Assignment:_____-_____
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Entry​:___________________________________________________________________________
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23. _______________________________________________________________________________
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Date:_______________ Reading Assignment:_____-_____
On-Demand Writing Prompt 5:​_______________________________________________________
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24. _______________________________________________________________________________
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