OMAM ch 1 2, 3 Lesson

​Of Mice and Men

Close Read Excerpt Ch 1. ​

​9-10.RL.KID.3 Analyze how complex characters, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text to impact meaning.

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9-10.RL.CS.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, such as how language evokes a sense of time and place, and how it communicates an informal or formal tone.​

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​9-10.RL.CS.5 Analyze how an author’s choices concerning text structure, plot structure, and/or time manipulation create effects such as mystery, tension, or surprise.

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​What is Steinbeck trying to achieve through his use of imagery in describing the setting in Chapter 1?

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The Salinas Valley was an area that Steinbeck knew extremely well. In the opening two paragraphs, he draws upon this knowledge to describe the natural world.

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Highlight in BLUE words that appeal to you senses (imagery) or that are vivid descriptions of the setting.

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Do the first three paragraphs only.

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9-10.RL.CS.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, such as how language evokes a sense of time and place, and how it communicates an informal or formal tone.​

​Through his use of imagery in the description of the setting, Steinbeck creates________.

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• a sense of time and place (mood/atmosphere)

• emotional response of ______

• to achieve______ ​

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​Imagery

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​9-10.RL.CS.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, such as how language evokes a sense of time and place, and how it communicates an informal or formal tone.​

​Questions to ponder

​Given what we know about Chapter 1-3, why do you think Steinbeck spends so much time at the beginning of the novella setting the peaceful mood that he sets?

​What does George tell Lennie to do "if he gets in trouble"? ​

What might this setting represent for Lennie?

How might these two pieces of information be foreshadowing? ​

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​9-10.RL.CS.5 Analyze how an author’s choices concerning text structure, plot structure, and/or time manipulation create effects such as mystery, tension, or surprise.​

Imagery ​

Time to show what you know....

Use the graphic organizer sheet to create a claim, support your claim with specific text evidence, and provide a explanation. ​

Open Ended

Write a short paragraph with TWO pieces of text evidence.

Follow this format:

Claim- Steinbeck's use of imagery reveals a (tone word) setting that is (mood/atmosphere) in order to (achieve his purpose).

Evidence-Paraphrase and embed words or phrases that you read to lead you to your claim.

Explanation- How does your text evidence support your claim?

Evidence- Paraphrase and embed words or phrases that you read to lead you to your claim.

Explanation- How does your text evidence support your claim?

​Let's think about Voice...

Remember

Voice is the mix of language in the flow of writing or the way a character or narrators mix of language flows.

What is Steinbeck's syntax like? Are sentences short, long, wildly varied, fairly consistent?

​Does the narrator or character feel their way through sentences, or have they got the thought all organised before they start?

​Do they finish their sentences, or interrupt themselves, or tail off without finishing the meaning? From lack of confidence, or getting distracted by another amazing thought?

​Formal/informal? Chatty/slangy/poetic? Abrupt? Rolling clichés or office speak (careful!) or vivid and individual? Vocabulary? Colorful (wink, wink)? ​

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​​9-10.RL.KID.3 Analyze how complex characters, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text to impact meaning.

​Read the rest of Excerpt 1

​Steinbeck begins describing the characters of Lennie and George for the first time. He takes great care in describing them, and provides the reader ​with a very strong image of them from the outset of the novel.

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Highlight in green all the descriptors of Lennie.

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Highlight in orange all the descriptors of George. ​

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​Characterization

Imagery ​

​What kind of imagery does Steinbeck use to describe Lennie’s characteristics?

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Circle ALL ​the examples in the excerpt.

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What does Steinbeck use of this imagery tell us about Lennie? ​

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Some text here about the topic of discussion

Open Ended

What does Lennie DO?

List some of the actions that Steinbeck uses to describe Lennie's actions.

Open Ended

What does Lennie SAY?

List some of dialogue that Steinbeck writes for Lennie.

Open Ended

Based on the characterization of Lennie by Steinbeck, explain one major character trait that we begin to see.

Open Ended

What does George DO?

List some of the actions that Steinbeck has George do.

Open Ended

What does George SAY?

List some dialogue that Steinbeck writes for George.

Open Ended

Based on Steinbeck's characterization of George, what are some of the major character traits that we begin to see?

Characterization

​Voice:​

George and Lennie have a very unique and strong relationship, which is introduced and emphasised in the first chapter. Reread the conversation between George and Lennie, and respond to the following questions:

a) Find two examples of Lennie acting like a child. Highlight them in PINK.

b)​ What inferences can we make about their relationship?

c) How might we infer that Steinbeck's personal view of people with disabilities? What words or phrases support that inference? ​

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Poll

Why does Steinbeck allow George to use so much profanity?

• Steinbeck is showing us how frustrated George is with Lennie's childlike behavior.

• Steinbeck is revealing how "rough and tumble" George is, common, working man.

• Steinbeck is illustrating the language of the type of migrant workers that float in and out of the work camps.

• Steinbeck is depicting what a bad guy that George seems to be.