Of Mice and Men /Introduction/H5

Of Mice and Men
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Slide 1: Slide
EngelsMiddelbare schoolhavoLeerjaar 4

This lesson contains 26 slides, with interactive quizzes, text slides and 4 videos.

time-iconLesson duration is: 20 min

Items in this lesson

Of Mice and Men

Slide 1 - Slide

Inspiration for the novel
When Steinbeck was a young adult, he spent his summer vacations working as a hired hand on local ranches. 

 His interactions with the people he met during those summers greatly influenced the characters he created throughout his career. 

 In an interview about Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck revealed that all the characters in the novel are  based on real people. 

Slide 2 - Slide

Synopsis
Of Mice and Men places the reader in Depression-era California, traveling from job to job with two migrant labourers, George Milton and Lennie Small. 

 The novel explores their friendship, in contrast to the isolation of their peers, and the way dreams can either motivate or unmotivate people. 

 It also addresses a variety of issues, including racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination, that play out against the backdrop of lonely people seeking happiness. 

Slide 3 - Slide

The world of 1937

Slide 4 - Slide

Of Mice and Men - Background
You are going to do research on the following topics;

Afterwards you should know more about:
  • The American Dream
  • The Great Depression
  • The Dust Bowl

Slide 5 - Slide

Slide 6 - Video

1. What is the American Dream?
Answer in your own words

Slide 7 - Open question

The American Dream is the ideal of equality, liberty and happiness; through hard work everybody is able to improve their lives and achieve that which they deserve based on their abilities. (e.g. rags to riches).

Slide 8 - Slide

2. Why is the American Dream so attractive?
A
You don't need to work hard
B
It will be given to you
C
Anyone can achieve it if they work hard
D
Your family needs to be rich

Slide 9 - Quiz

3. Was the American Dream in general truly ‘attainable’ by all people?
A
Yes, working hard made you rich
B
No, working hard just to survive
C
Yes, fair opportunities for everyone
D
No, only the rich could achieve it

Slide 10 - Quiz

Slide 11 - Video

4. What was the Great Depression?
Answer in your own words

Slide 12 - Open question

A worldwide economic crisis starting in America and took place during the 1930s (1930-1936), following the economic prosperity of the 1920s. 
The crash of the stock market in 1929 is usually referred to as the inciting incident.

Slide 13 - Slide

5. What effect did the Great Depression NOT have on the lives of ordinary Americans?
A
They lost their jobs
B
They lost their savings
C
They had to pay more taxes
D
It caused extreme poverty

Slide 14 - Quiz

6. How did the Great Depression NOT change American society?
A
People lost hope in the American dream
B
Resulted in subsidizing pensions and aids
C
Government became protector of well-being
D
The government gained more influence

Slide 15 - Quiz

Slide 16 - Video

7. What was the Dust Bowl?
Answer in your own words

Slide 17 - Open question

A period of drought and dust storms; because of the farming practices in the Midwest and lack of rain the land dried out and harvest was minimal. 
The dry soil was easily picked up by the wind, causing clouds and storms of dust. 

Slide 18 - Slide

8. What effect did the Dust Bowl have on the lives of farmers?
A
Their animals died
B
No rain = hardly any harvest
C
They left towards the West
D
They became sick

Slide 19 - Quiz

9. How did the events of Great Depression and the Dust Bowl challenge the concept of the American Dream?
A
Working hard wasn't enough anymore
B
People needed help from the government
C
People lost their jobs = can't work hard
D
People lost their homes = no safe place/dream

Slide 20 - Quiz

Start reading

  • Open Of Mice and Men  Reader in Classroom 
  • Read Chapter 1 p 1- 18 
  • Homework 15th November
  • Do assignment 5 & 6 

Slide 21 - Slide

Slide 22 - Video

What was the purpose of Jim Crow laws?
A
legalize racial segregation
B
legalize citizenship

Slide 23 - Quiz

Jim Crow got its name from
A
A Black Minstrel show
B
A Black activist

Slide 24 - Quiz

I know about different aspects of American life in the 1930s
😒🙁😐🙂😃

Slide 25 - Poll

Chapter 1: questions
Write down quotations in full (citaten volledig opschrijven).

Question 1: Read the first two paragraphs
Question 2: Read paragraph 3 and onwards
Question 3: Read page 2 + 3
Question 4: Read the conversation between George and Lennie
Question 5: Answer after reading the Chapter

Slide 26 - Slide