About This Lesson
The ten unit lesson plan will help students analyze and connect to the themes, characters, and symbols throughout John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men. We will explore the world of the Great Depression, migrant workers, and the life and times surrounding the Dust Bowl.
These lessons guide the students into discovering the layers of meaning of the novella by analyzing character motivations and dreams, creating titles, creating their own imaginative, descriptive journal entries and concluding with a museum exhibit that highlights aspects of the 1930's lifestyle. Through the novella, students will explore discrimination and reflect on their own personal connections to the topic.
The unit will help students empathize with the human condition and realize the strengths we all bring as individuals. Although time passes and thoughts and attitudes may change, students will find similarities between themselves and the characters while reflecting on how the present relates to the past.
