1. John Steinbeck January 21, 2016 Learning Target: Students will articulate the impact of the historical time period in which the novel Of Mice and Men is set and predict some of the conflicts that the characters will face in the novel. January 21, 2016 Learning Target: Students will articulate the impact of the historical time period in which the novel Of Mice and Men is set and predict some of the conflicts that the characters will face in the novel.

2. “A picture is worth a thousand words” Reflect on the following photographs taken during the historical time period of the novel’s setting. Answer the questions on the Gallery Walk in the order you start.

3. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Born in Salinas, CA in 1902- farming region of CA Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature for his realistic and imaginative writing. Most of his novels have historical settings and address social divisions between the lower and upper classes. Born in Salinas, CA in 1902- farming region of CA Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature for his realistic and imaginative writing. Most of his novels have historical settings and address social divisions between the lower and upper classes.

4. Historical Background Three main EXTERNAL conflicts are addressed in the novel. The Great Depression The Dust Bowl Inequality Three main EXTERNAL conflicts are addressed in the novel. The Great Depression The Dust Bowl Inequality

5. The Great Depression Setting of the novel: Summer of the Great Depression in Salinas, CA The Great Depression (1929- 1939). Stock market crashed- 11,000 of the 25,000 banks failed 25-30% of the work force was unemployed Setting of the novel: Summer of the Great Depression in Salinas, CA The Great Depression (1929- 1939). Stock market crashed- 11,000 of the 25,000 banks failed 25-30% of the work force was unemployed

6. The Dust Bowl Affected the farm workers in the Great Plains in the early 1930s Many farmers moved west in search of work. George and Lennie, the two main characters, are farm workers. American Experience: Surviving the Dust Storm American Experience: Surviving the Dust Storm Affected the farm workers in the Great Plains in the early 1930s Many farmers moved west in search of work. George and Lennie, the two main characters, are farm workers. American Experience: Surviving the Dust Storm American Experience: Surviving the Dust Storm

7. InequalityInequality In the 1930s African Americans were the first to be laid off from their jobs. Jobs and assistance were often denied to African Americans. Many people with disabilities either physical or mental were kept from public and placed in large hospitals. In the 1930s African Americans were the first to be laid off from their jobs. Jobs and assistance were often denied to African Americans. Many people with disabilities either physical or mental were kept from public and placed in large hospitals.

8. Stop, Reflect, Write! How do you think the historical time period will affect John Steinbeck’s tone in Of Mice and Men? Make predictions as to how these EXTERNAL conflicts will affect the main characters (George and Lennie). How do you think the historical time period will affect John Steinbeck’s tone in Of Mice and Men? Make predictions as to how these EXTERNAL conflicts will affect the main characters (George and Lennie).

9. In Your Groups- Discuss AOW- American Dream What does downsizing mean? What do the statistics say? What’s happening to the idea of the American Dream as a result of these statistics? How has the American Dream changed? What is the tone? What does downsizing mean? What do the statistics say? What’s happening to the idea of the American Dream as a result of these statistics? How has the American Dream changed? What is the tone?

10. Essential Question How do experiences shape or destroy our dreams? Paraphrase this essential question. Writing Prompt: Compose one paragraph using the Tupac Shakur’s poem “If I fail” and AOW #1 to answer the question above. How do experiences shape or destroy our dreams? Paraphrase this essential question. Writing Prompt: Compose one paragraph using the Tupac Shakur’s poem “If I fail” and AOW #1 to answer the question above.

11. Essential Question How do experiences shape or destroy our dreams? Paraphrase this essential question. Using AOW #1, write at least 5 sentences describing certain ways our lives can shape or destroy our dreams. How do experiences shape or destroy our dreams? Paraphrase this essential question. Using AOW #1, write at least 5 sentences describing certain ways our lives can shape or destroy our dreams.