Of Mice and Men Reading Packet Name Block
Directions: For each reading selection, complete the pre-reading activity prior to reading the selection, take notes during your reading and follow the flagging directions, and answer the post-reading questions after reading the selection. This packet will be collected for points (50 total) when we have finished reading and discussing the book as a whole. If you lose this packet, it is your responsibility to get the questions and respond to them on separate paper to turn in. This packet can also be found on the class website. Schedule Date In-Class Reading/Activity Homework Due Mon. Oct. 8 Of Mice and Men, Compare/Contrast peer review Of Mice & Men p. 1-16 & notes Wed. Oct. 10 Of Mice and Men Of Mice & Men p. 17-37 & notes Fri. Oct. 12 Of Mice and Men Of Mice & Men p. 38-65 & notes Tues. Oct 16 Of Mice and Men Thurs. Oct. 18 Of Mice and Men, Socratic Seminar Mon. Oct. 22 Of Mice and Men writing Reading packet due Of Mice & Men p. 66-83 & notes, Compare/Contrast Essay 2 nd Draft Of Mice & Men p. 84-107 & notes Source: Burke, Jim. What s the Big Idea? Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2010.
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 1 (p. 1-16) Pre-reading: What do you know about the Great Depression in the United States? Using your post-it flags, mark places in your book that describe Lennie and George. Keep in mind that we can find out about characters through their names, physical description, actions/reactions, thoughts, and dialogue. We can find things out directly (Steinbeck tells us) or indirectly (we must infer). Jot down five words that describe Lennie and five words that describe George. Lennie George Which of the words above best describes Lennie? Why? Which of the words above best describes George? Why? Complete the following sentence: The relationship between George and Lennie is like After you complete the sentence, explain why their relationship is like this and provide examples to support your idea. Speculate about what happened in Weed that caused them to leave. Predict what you think will happen in this story based on what happened before. What details do you base your prediction on?
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 2 (p. 17-37) Pre-Reading: List three qualities of a good friend. A good friend is,, and. As you read flag moments revealing the relationship between George and Lennie. Jot down five things you notice about their relationship. Look at the qualities you used to describe a good friend. Do these apply to George and Lennie? Why or why not? Use details from the text to support your response. Describe Curley s wife by focusing on her relationship with Curley and the men. How might you compare the relationship between Lennie and George with Candy and his old dog? How does the mood change in this chapter? Generate several words to describe the mood in the story in the beginning and at the end of the chapter. What causes that change?
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 3 (p. 38-65) Pre-Reading: List five key details that provide background to the character and the plot up to this point. Explain why each detail is so important to the story. Detail Explanation As you read flag moments that increase the tension in the story. Look for places of conflict and/or foreshadowing. How do these moments affect the plot? Everyone respects Slim, especially Candy (p. 45) for whom Slim s opinions were law. Write down a few reasons why people respect someone. Explain why everyone respects Slim and how Slim is similar to or different from a person you respect. John Steinbeck said, In every bit of honest writing in the world there is a base theme: Try to understand men; if you understand each other you will be kind to each other. Knowing a man well never leads to hate and nearly always leads to love. Explain what you think this quote means and how it relates to the novel and your own experience. You are roughly halfway through the novel. Based on what you know at this point, what do you think will happen in the remainder of the story? What do you base your prediction on?
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 4 (p. 66-83) Pre-Reading: Think about your own experiences in which one person seemed stronger or more dominant than everyone else? How did that person treat others? How did the weak respond? As you read, flag instances in which one character seems to dominate or take control of another. What makes this person stronger or weaker? Fill in this chart as you read. Strong Character Verb Weak Character Reason (EXAMPLE) Person X belittles person Y to prove that he Steinbeck suggests that many of the characters have some problem suffer from something that sets them apart from others. Using the chart below, examine four different characters, their problems, and the causes & effects of those problems. Character Problem Cause of Problem Effect of Problem
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 5 (p. 84-107) Pre-Reading: What do you predict will happen in the end of this novel? Why? As you read, flag places where key decisions are being made by the characters. Note these decisions and your reactions to them. Character Decision My Reaction How do external forces affect Lennie and George? Explain using details from the text. Evaluate George s decision at the end of the novel. Do you agree with his decision? Why or why not? If you could write an additional chapter to this novel, what would happen in it? Why? What in the novel leads you to this belief?