Study the Classics: Of Mice and Men
Read and analyze John Steinbeck's classic novel, "Of Mice and Men" in this self-paced course. Learners will delve into the characters, setting, symbolism, and theme of the book while improving reading comprehension and writing skills.
Mary Probst
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(84)
What's included
7 pre-recorded lessons
7 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
1-2 hours per week. After the first lesson, learners will be expected to read the corresponding section of the novel before beginning each lesson.Assessment
Each lesson will contain a comprehension quiz and an assessment of some kind (writing exercises, extension activities, etc.)Grading
Grades will be provided upon request. The teacher will review the work done at the end of each lesson to determine a grade.Class Experience
US Grade 8 - 12
John Steinbeck's classic novel "Of Mice and Men" is rich with meaning, figurative language, and historical knowledge. In this self-paced course, learners will interact with this text at their own pace, improving their reading, writing, and analysis skills along the way. After an introductory lesson, in which we explore the historical context of The Great Depression, learners will read a section of the novel before beginning each lesson. In each lesson, learners will first answer comprehension questions to ensure that they understood the basic plot of the section and remind them of anything they missed or forgot. Then, they will interact with powerpoint presentations, writing exercises, and other activities to help them better understand the literary depth of each section. Over the course of the unit, learners will specifically hone their skills in characterization, setting, simile, metaphor, foreshadowing, and how these literary elements work together to create theme and meaning in a text. Learners will be able to come to their own conclusions and be encouraged to find textual evidence to back up their ideas.
Learning Goals
Learners will be able to explain the character traits and motivations of characters in a novel.
Learners will be able to describe the setting of a novel and how it affects the meaning.
Learners will be able to use historical context and author biographies to ground their understanding of the work.
Learners will be able to use figurative language and other literary elements to determine the theme of a novel.
Learners will be able to use textual evidence to support their claims.
Syllabus
7 Lessons
over 7 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction and Historical Context
Learners will engage in pre-reading activities that introduce them to themes present in the novel as well as the historical context of The Great Depression and The Dust Bowl, including videos from survivors of the tragedies. Lesson 2:
Section 1
After reading the first section of the novel, learners will take a closer look at the idyllic setting of Soledad, California and how the idea of the American Dream is at play. Learners will begin tracking the themes of the novel by finding quotes from this section that show the different themes of the novel. Lesson 3:
Section 2
In section two, all of the main characters are introduced. Learners will look closer at each character and how their traits impact the meaning of the larger story, creating identity charts for each character. Learners will also read articles in support of and against banning the novel due to its content, then form and defend their own opinion. Lesson 4:
Section 3
Section three utilizes a great deal of figurative language and literary elements to enhance the meaning of the text. Learners will look closely at the passage involving Candy's dog to find examples of symbolism. Then, learners will also look to the poem "To a Mouse" to further add meaning to the story. Other Details
Parental Guidance
This novel does contain mature themes and language. Please consult Common Sense Media's full review for more details and ensure your learner is ready for the mature content found in the book.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/of-mice-and-men
Please note that the topics will be treated with sensitivity and that racial slurs and other mature language will not be used in any lesson.
Supply List
A copy of "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck. Learners can access this with a paper copy, audiobook, or ebook.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2020
4.8
84reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Brigham Young University
I graduated with a degree in English Education from Brigham Young University in 2015. I attained my teaching certification and taught English/Language Arts and reading intervention classes for two years before switching to online learning platforms.Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$9
weekly or $60 for all content7 pre-recorded lessons
7 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
Completed by 1 learner
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Ages: 13-17
