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Unit 5 Life and Death in Of Mice and Men

Page history last edited by Russell 13 years, 1 month ago

Mon, Jan 31

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing

HOMEWORK: Complete the reading questions for "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?"

FOCUS: Film viewing

 

Conclusion to the film

 

Fri, Jan 28

 

DUE TODAY: Last day to submit essays and late work

HOMEWORK: None

FOCUS: MAPS TESTING

 

Thu, Jan 27

 

DUE TODAY: Any late essays or other work? Get it in!

HOMEWORK: Check online grades, complete any assignments missing

FOCUS: Film viewing

 

Continuation of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?"

Gilber Grape viewing questions - see previous lesson

 

Wed, Jan 26

 

DUE TODAY:

  • George's Decision essay
  • Response to the before/after Mice and Men survey

HOMEWORK: None

FOCUS: Film viewing

 

Submit written assignments

 

Start viewing "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" 

 

Of Mice and Men (the novel) vs. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? (the film)

Part 1 – Simple Matching

For each character given below, identify the parallel character:

  1. EASY: George Milton is represented by ___________________________
  2. EASY: Lennie Small is represented by ___________________________
  3. DIFFICULT: The figure of Curley’s wife is represented by _______________________
  4. DIFFICULT: The figure of the undertaker in the film reflects which novel character? ________________________

Part II – Exploring Themes

  1. How is Gilbert an outsider from society?
  2. How is the wife of the insurance salesman isolated?
  3. What dreams does Gilbert have?

Part III – Understanding Motivations

  1. Considering Gilbert’s dreams and desires, how does the stranded young woman help him escape his normal life?
  2. What is the background of Gilbert’s mother, and why does she decide to break from her shell of the house?
  3. How is the mother’s ultimate fate similar to that of Lennie in “Of Mice and Men”? Did she free herself from the bonds she felt?
  4. What behavior of Arnie’s gets him into trouble?
  5. What happened to Gilbert’s father? Do you think Gilbert thinks about this for himself?
  6. What interest does the undertaker have in the citizens of the town? How does his character bring some humor to the film?

 

Tue, Jan 25

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing in writing

HOMEWORK: Finish the two items:

  • Essay analysing whether G's decision to kill L was correct or not
  • Response to the before/after survey on issues in Of Mice and Men 

FOCUS TODAY: Building paragraphs around topic sentences, evidence, and explanations

 

Handout helping students organize their paragraphs. Each body paragraph is comprised of:

 

Topic sentence

At least two pieces of:

  • Evidence
  • Explanation/elaboration 

 

REMINDER: The free intro is provided at the bottom of the previous lesson. The intro is not graded; only body paragraphs are graded.

 

Mon, Jan 24

 

DUE TODAY: One piece of evidence with explanation to back it

HOMEWORK: Beging work on:

  • Formal paper debating whether George's decision to kill L was justified, with the last paragraph revealing your personal opinion
  • Informal 2-pg response to an issue on the Of Mice and Men survey - Most people will write about an opinion that changed from before to after reading the novel, while others who had no change in opinion will write about a concept of their choice

FOCUS TODAY: The E's and how to use them

 

Feedback from homework:

 

Evidence

E’s – “This is relevant/matters because…”

G has no right to decide if L lives or dies.

G had other options. For example, he could have allowed the system of justice to work. In this case, Lennie would have lived if he went to prison. As it is, L is now dead.

G could have allowed L to run away and hide himself.

If G had encouraged L to run and hide, it is possible L could have escaped and if they met up later they could have once again pursued the dream.

G has no right to shatter the dreams of Ca and Cr

Cr and Ca have no hopes outside the ranch and the dream of settling down with G and L. Ca hoped to work for the men on the farm, and Crooks hoped to escape the racism on the farm. Now they will continue as outsiders. Their life is crushed without their own input.

G gave L a peaceful death.

If Cy had arrived first, L would have been terrified and perhaps would have fought back against Cy, resulting in more injury or death. In contrast, G calms L and makes him happy.

L’s intentions were not evil; he did not mean to kill Cy’s wife.

Because he didn’t mean harm, it’s wrong for Cy and the others to take the law into their own hands and kill L. The men will not give L a fair trial, whereas all the information could be heard in a court.

 

Evidence

E’s – So what? Why does that evidence matter? Why is that evidence relevant?

L dies happy w/ George at his side, still believing in the dream.

When we consider that the law has been informed and will come after L in addition to all the men who intend to shoot him, we see that G’s action means L does not have to worry about being killed or losing the dream of the rabbits, which he would lose if they shot him or imprisoned him.

If G had not killed L, C would have shot him instead.

C’s intent is to shoot L in the gut or lynch him. C would not have stopped to think about having him arrested instead of killing him. In contrast, G thinks about what is best for L, and makes sure that L’s death is painless.

 

The other options for L were worse than the death G gives him. G has L thinking about the rabbits, which causes L to feel happy, relaxed. He no longer feels sad or bad about killing Cy’s wife and the puppy. C, however, would have made L suffer and would have enjoyed L’s suffering. G’s action eliminates potential suffering.

L could have killed again.

L has a past of killing – first the mouse, then the puppy, then the girl. If he continues, he will have a criminal record of killing. Even if they run away, the authorities will always be chasing them, and that causes their lives to be even more uncertain than they are now.

L dies happy at G’s side

If G had allowed C to kill L, there would have been pain. L would have been scared b/c he would see his attacker. Even if he went to jail, he would be sad and lonely for the rest of his life, because he would not have G to guide him.

G knew C would stop at nothing to avenge his wife’s death.

 

G does not have the right to break the dreams of others with his decision

This evidence connects to the claim b/c G kills L and ruins the dream of all. Ca may work less efficiently b/c he has nothing to look forward to. In addition, G kills L after Cy told him not to. Because G disobeys C, this will likely result in fights.

 

Evidence

E’s – “This is relevant/matters because…”

When L dies he is happy.

In L’s eyes, he felt he had done something wrong, yet he did not try to kill her. G helps him die at peace – he doesn’t feel G is mad at him. The dream he talks about when he is shot helps him escape his feeling he is in trouble.

It is likely that if G had not killed him, his death would have been more painful.

Cy had promised to kill L himself by shooting him in the stomach. Shooting someone in the stomach results in a long, slow, painful death. In addition to the physical pain, L would likely have felt hurt because as he dies, and G cannot help him, he would have felt somewhat betrayed by G.

The negative effects on G will be more significant with the shooting as opposed to letting Cy shoot L.

G has taken care of L all his life, and he knows L relies on him. G will feel like he has let down L if he shoots him; he will ask himself, “What kind of friend am I?” This type of feeling and question will lead to depression, perhaps even thoughts of suicide.

G will be scarred w/ the image of shooting his best friend.

Their relationship shows us that G thinks for them and L is a better worker. L’s strength is what makes them effective workers. Without L, G is just going to be like all the other lonely workers. He says he’s going to stay all night “in a cat house” and drink. He admits that he will not be able to look forward to the dream.

 

Simple sample introduction to be cut and pasted (or used as a model):

 

People are often faced with difficult decisions, yet no decision seems more serious than deciding whether someone else lives or dies. This is exactly the dilemma faced by the character George Milton in John Steinbeck's book Of Mice and Men. At the end of the novel, George makes the decision to end the life of his best friend Lennie Small, raising the question of whether his action was justified or not. While there are convincing arguments on both sides of this topic, ultimately one side outweighs the other.

 

ESSAY OUTLINE:

  • Intro (provided by Mr. Rice)
  • Body paragraph one - Argument in favor of George's decision
    • Select at least TWO pieces of evidence from the notes to support w/ explanation/evaluation/elaboration 
  • Body paragraph two - Argument against George's decision
    • Select at least TWO pieces of evidence from the notes to support w/ explanation/evaluation/elaboration  
  • Conclusion/final paragraph - Your personal opinion, with reasoning

 

Fri, Jan 21

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing in writing

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Select a new piece of evidence and support it with explanation, just like we did in class

FOCUS TODAY: The "E's" and how to produce them

 

English 9 – Is George a Mouse or a Man?

Yes, it’s essay time, but first … find your one-page homework that focused on “The E’s” in Step-Up to Writing. Look for it in your binder or class folder – it’s a one-page handout.

 

Practice as a whole class with THE E's HANDOUT

 

Imagine an argument against killing the dog. Explain the relevance of this evidence:

 

  • The dog is Candy’s only companion (Think: So what? How does that argue against the killing?)

 

CLASS NOTES (all three classes)

 

Explanation: This point is relevant because …

 

  • If it is Candy’s only companion and you remove it, he could become lonely and depressed. When this happens, people can go downhill quickly after losing their companion, even leading to a quick death.
  • Candy has been with the dog since it was a pup. By killing the dog, he will not have any more meaningful relationships. Candy, being old and crippled with one hand has no other friends, so removing the dog removes his only friend.
  • Since Candy is isolated from all other workers on the ranch, the dog is his sole friend. His happiness will go away if they take the dog away. With the disappearance of his happiness will likely come depression and severe could lead to suicide.
  • The dog is all Candy has and is all Candy can relate to. As two old figures, they move at the same speed and have the fact they are crippled in common. Without the dog, he will be even more alone.
  • The dog’s death could lead to Candy’s depression and that could affect his work quality. If Candy starts to think about the fact they killed his dog because it was old, he might feel useless because he is old and crippled like his dog. It is likely he would withdraw more from the others than he already has.
  • Without the dog Candy will be more alone than he already is. He may become depressed and possibly suicidal b/c he won’t have anything to live for.
  • He has had the dog so long he has an extremely strong bond with it. If the dog is killed, it is like breaking part of Candy.
  • He has had the dog since it was a pup and loves to spend time with it. Much of his routine involves the dog. Without the dog, his routine is “thrown off” and it is likely Candy would not know what to do without his constant companion.
  • Candy knows it was Carlson who was most against the dog. Because there’s one person for Candy to blame, it could cause tension among the workers in case Candy decides to get in a rumble with him.
  • Candy is likely to become sad with the loss of the dog and his sadness could rub off on the other workers, affecting …
  • Candy is likely to become depressed and sad. This could affect his work – he would likely not be as effective, and the bunkhouse and outhouses could become dirty, possibly even worse than when the dog was alive.
  • On the farm, workers are constantly coming and going, which makes making friends difficult. For Candy, if they shoot the dog, he will be lonely and alone, unlikely to make new friends because of the constant turnover.
  • Without the dog Candy is even more alone than he is now. He is already older than others and less effective because of the loss of his hand. If you take the dog away, he could become depressed, effecting his work.
  • Candy could become angry w/ Carlson for forcing the event. This would cause tension among workers, resulting in …
  • Candy would have no companion. Without a companion he misses something to look forward to when he wakes up or relaxes after work. He could even become suicidal without anything to look fwd to.
  • Candy is emotionally attached to the dog, and if the dog is taken away, it is likely he will become sad and depressed, possibly leading to his abandoning life on the farm.

 

MORE CLASS NOTES on the issuse of George choosing to shoot Lennie:

 

George and Lennie – Evidence for the sides

 

Yes – right decision

No – wrong decision

  • If G doesn’t, then L could be lynched/hung from a tree w/ no trial
  • It’s likely he would die anyway
  • G’s shot is quick and painless
  • L’s actions have escalated from holding onto a dress to killing a mouse to killing a pup to killing a person
  • Past the point where G could protect L b/c now the law is involved; they will be hunted
  • C would have shot L in the gut – resulting in slow, painful death
  • Could have run away like they have done in the past
  • G has no right to decide if L lives or dies
  • L did not act out of evil – he didn’t kill on purpose
  • G went too far by his action, which ruins the dream for Candy and Crooks
  • L could have been put in prison and allowed to live

 

George made the right decision to kill Lennie beside the river pool. If Curley had arrived first, he would have shot Lennie in “the gut” to kill him. Shooting someone in the gut is extremely painful, so if C shoots him as he promises, then L will die a slow and painful death. In contrast, G’s action ensures a quick and painless death. In addition, seeing L die in that way would have traumatized G and terrified Lennie.

 

 

Yes – right decision

No – wrong decision

  • If L goes to jail, he would be “in a cage” – w/o G he would be lost
  • G leaves L with an image of the dream – he dies happy
  • If G and L ran, the cycle would continue and another person might die
  • C will shoot L in “the gut” causing horrible pain
  • G ensures a quick death for L as opposed to slow, painful death
  • L had killed a person, so this stops the cycle of killing; it had escalated from mouse, pup, human
  • If they had run, the authorities would have hunted them – no peace or rest
  • G does take care of L by ensuring he dies w/o pain and w/ happiness
  • L could survive in jail, even learn what is right vs. wrong
  • G does not have a right to break the dreams of others w/ his decision – his decision affects others, not just himself
  • G promised Aunt Clara he would take care of L, and by killing him he breaks the promise
  • G could have encouraged L to run, hoping he would escape
  • G commits murder – no one should take the life of another

 

 

Claim: George should NOT have killed Lennie.

Evidence: L could survive in jail, even learn what is right vs. wrong

Explanation: It is possible that C could change his mind when he arrives, and L could go to jail. This would be preferable BECAUSE …Firstly, L would be removed from C, the man who wants him dead. Additionally, L would be removed from society and the possibility killing someone else. Finally, as stated above, his time in jail could teach him how to tell the difference between right and wrong.

 

 

Yes – right decision

No – wrong decision

  • Better for L to die at the hands of G than Curley
  • Even if they ran, the cycle would have continued, leading to disaster after disaster (no firm life)
  • This time L killed someone – that’s worse than pulling a dress or killing a mouse or dog
  • If C gets him first, his death would have been painful (shoot him in the gut)
  • L in jail means “in a cage” and “that ain’t good” – life w/o G is no life for L
  • G and L could have run, tried to escape
  • The negative effect on G is going to be significant – guilt, remorse
  • Allow L to run in hopes of escape
  • Perhaps L and  G could have overpowered the men (most unrealistic)
  • G has no right to decide if someone lives or dies
  • L did not know what he was doing – didn’t intend to harm/kill her
  • Don’t take justice into your own hands – leave that to the law

 

Claim: G made the correct decision to shoot and kill L.

Evidence: They have been from ranch to ranch for as long as they can remember, most recently from Weed.

Explanation: If G does not kill L now and they run again, then the cycle continues again and it is likely they will never have a normal, stable life. This means they will never accomplish the dream and their lives will always be shifting and uncertain.

 

G made the correct decision to shoot and kill L. They have been from ranch to ranch for as long as they can remember, most recently from Weed. If G does not kill L now and they run again, then the cycle continues and it is likely they will never have a normal, stable life. This means they will never accomplish the dream and their lives will always be shifting and uncertain. Therefore, to avoid constantly running G must make the decision he does. Another reason G is right to take L’s life is because C claimed he would shoot L in “the gut” and kill him. C is filled with anger and wants revenge. If C does shoot L in the gut, then L’s death will be slow and extremely painful as L bleeds to death. G’s decision, on the other hand, brings a quick death that does not leave L in pain.

 

Thu, Jan 18

 

DUE TODAY: T-chart

HOMEWORK: None

FOCUS TODAY: Arguing George's decision; viewing a text

 

Class splits and discusses the novel's closing scene - Was George's action justified?

 

Class views the Sinese/Malkovich closing scene and assesses to what extent the filmmakers "got it right" 

 

Wed, Jan 19

 

DUE TODAY: Reading up to the last chapter "Of Mice and Men"

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Create your own T-chart that provides evidence from the text to support your opinion on George's decision at the end of the novel

FOCUS TODAY: Maintaining a study guide

 

Review of events in chapters four and five

 

Read aloud of novel's final chapter

 

Opening of discussion regarding George's decision at the conclusion

 

Tue, Jan 18 - MAPS Testing

 

COMPUTER LAB for mid-year standardized MAPS testing (one day)

 

Mon, Jan 17 - MLK Holiday

 

Fri, Jan 14

 

DUE TODAY: In-class paragraph on the issue of Carlson killing Candy's dog

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Read up to the last chapter - save it for next class

FOCUS TODAY: Constructing an compelling argument

 

Lock-step construction of a paragraph arguing whether or not Carlson's killing of Candy's dog is justified:

 

On a new piece of paper, write a paragraph that follows this simple outline:

  1. State in one sentence your firm position on the issue of whether or not the killing of the dog is justified
  2. Give a transition: “There is plenty of evidence from the book to support this opinion. First, …”
  3. Give the first piece of evidence in a sentence
  4. Explain how that evidence relates to your opening opinion (explanation)
  5. “Secondly, …”
  6. Explain how this additional evidence relates to your opening opinion
  7. Give a transition: “There are reasons outside the book that support my opinion as well. For example, …”
  8. Give your example AND an explanation of how it relates to your opening opinion
  9. Give a transition: “Others may have the opposite opinion, arguing that …”
  10. Provide the main argument from the opposing viewpoint.
  11. Transition: “However, this argument has problems.”
  12. Explain how the opposing argument is “wrong” in your own words
  13. As a conclusion, repeat your main position

 

Items to notice:

  • Two pieces of evidence from the text
  • One argument based on "real life"
  • Recognition of and argument against the opposing opinion

 

Thu, Jan 13

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: None

FOCUS TODAY: Identifying evidence in a text - pros and cons to argument

 

In-class reading of the events leading up to the shooting of Candy's dog

 

Small group activity using a handout (doc) to separate the arguments on both sides of the shooting issue

 

Tue, Jan 11

 

DUE TODAY: Study Guide completed for chapter 4

HOMEWORK: None

FOCUS TODAY: Predicting based on evidence from a text; visual interpretation of isolation

 

Predict: What do you think will happen to George and Lennie based on what you know about the characters? If you've finished the book, what events do you think most contributed to the book's outcome?

 

Film viewing:

  • WATCH for how the director separates and isolates characters through camera work. Take note of when we see anyone separated or looking insignificant.
  • LISTEN for how the dialog reveals additional ways characters are seen as "different." Ex: Carlson talks about his distaste for Candy's dog, and that isolates Candy from the men - no one wants to be around him.

 

Mon, Jan 10

 

DUE TODAY:  Have you read chapter two?

HOMEWORK: Complete the study guide format for chapter three, having been given chapters 1-2 in class (see below)

FOCUS TODAY: Creating study guides through visual aids

 

QUIZ today on chapters 1-2

 

Keeping Track of the Story – A Simple Way

Chapter One 

Setting

Beside a pool in the Soledad River; peaceful place to camp in the valley below the mountains; sunset

 

 

Plot (Chronology of Events)

Before the book: Ran away from another town b/c of L; got work cards

In the book: G n L come down trail, L drinks, G takes his mouse, L wants beans w/ ketchup, G makes fire, they eat, story of their dream

Characters + brief descrip

G – Short, cautious, protective

L – Large, dim-witted, slow, likes soft things

 

 

Conflicts/Potential Problems

L likes to touch soft things – could cause trouble like in the past

G/L have no home, hard to make a living/earn money due to L’s mental disability

Chapter Two 

Setting

The barley/grain ranch, primarily the bunkhouse; playing cards, wood stove, bunks inside

 

 

 

 

 

Plot (Chronology of Events)

G/L arrive at ranch, meet Candy

Candy tells of Crooks

G/L meet boss, G lies

G/L meet Curley

G/L meet Curley’s wife

G warns L about C & his wife

G/L meet Slim/Carlson

L wants a pup

Characters + brief descrip

Candy – no hand, gives info on others in camp, old, has old dog

Crooks – only Black, crooked back, likes to be left alone

Curley – violent, short-tempered, short, always wants to prove self

Curley’s wife – thought of/dresses as a “tart”; appears promiscuous

Boss – Understanding, watches out for workers and his finances

Carlson – doesn’t like the old dog

Slim – field boss, new pups

Conflicts/Potential Problems

Curley’s desire to fight, esp. big guys

Lennie’s attraction to the tart

Slim’s pups & L’s interest

C’s wife acting flirtatious

Some want dog shot, but Candy really loves the dog

 

 

Fri, Jan 7

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing

HOMEWORK: Read through chapter two

FOCUS TODAY: Silent reading, film viewing

 

25 minutes SSR followed by film viewing

 

Film viewing:

How does the film differ from the book? What is left out? What is added?

How are characters presented as isolated in the film?

 

Thu, Jan 6

 

DUE TODAY: Detailed notes on the dream as described by George

HOMEWORK: None

FOCUS TODAY: How authors paint with words, noticing details

 

Hmwk check: Dream notes and review of the dream in Ch1

 

Mr. Rice reads from the paragraphs that reveal SETTING in chapter one while students draw the setting based on the words read aloud.

 

Wed, Jan 5

 

DUE TODAY: Take-home quiz on Steinbeck and MnM (previous lesson)

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Finish reading chapter one, make detailed notes about the dream shared by George and Lennie

FOCUS TODAY: Painting with words to create setting; conflict

 

Correct/check the quiz

 

In-class reading of chapter one, with a focus on:

  • Steinbeck's setting
  • Character
  • Conflict

 

Three-column notes on the opening pages:

Main ideas

Details

Summary

Lennie’s Behavior

Follows George; imitates George by laying down like him

 

Sticks his head into the water to drink – big gulps; drinks a lot; plays a bit w/ the water

 

Described as dipping his “big paw” into the water – like a bear

 

Has been hiding and petting a dead mouse in his pocket

 

Can’t recall where they are or what they’re doing except for the dream; thinks he’s lost the work card

Unrefined behavior – like a big animal rather than a man

 

Relies on G for reminders of what to do and how to behave

 

George’s Behavior

Warns Lennie about drinking too much; cautious about the water; tries to teach Lennie again about what kind of water to drink

 

Angry that the bus driver dropped them short; short temper; swears

 

Reminds Lennie what they are doing; produces the work cards and gives Lennie a lesson on how to behave at the new job

Looks out for Lennie to protect him from himself

The Dream

Rabbits for Lennie

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tue, Jan 4

 

DUE TODAY: Nothing

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Complete the take-home quiz

FOCUS TODAY: Note-taking, background on John Steinbeck and "Of Mice and Men"

 

Pwrpt. on Steinbeck and "Of Mice and Men" with notes in the format below

 

Three-column Notes Style

John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men”

Main Ideas

Details

Summary Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take-Home Quiz

  1. How does Steinbeck’s summer work as a young man relate to his setting and characters in his novels?
  2. Describe the land around Salinas, CA.
  3. What is a “bindlestiff” and who are the two bindlestiffs in “Of Mice and Men”?
  4. After Steinbeck wrote unfavorably about the experience of migrant workers, how was he received in his home of Salinas, CA?
  5. What habit of Lennie’s leads to disaster over and over again?
  6. Describe the dream shared by George and Lennie.
  7. What function did a “farm work agency” serve during the 1930’s (the Depression)?
  8. What character in “Of Mice and Men” represents the violent, wealthy class of America that keeps down the poor?
  9. Choose two characters from the list, and explain how each is isolated from society, much like George and Lennie are isolated from society. (Choose two: Crooks, Candy, Curley’s wife)

 

Thu-Fri, Dec 9-10 and Mon, Dec 13

 

DUE TODAY: Rough draft of children's story for approval

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Continue to develop your story, including the required literary techniques (refer to the assignment handout)

FOCUS TODAY: Drafting of story

 

Work days on children's book, DUE WED, DEC 15

 

Wed, Dec 8

 

DUE TODAY: Tell Mr. Rice your story outline/rough draft

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Work on the story rough draft

FOCUS TODAY: Euphemism, metaphor, simile, imagery, oxymoron

 

Notes on the remaining literary techniques

  • Euphemism
  • Metaphor and Simile
  • Imagery
  • Oxymoron 

 

Tue, Dec 7

 

DUE TODAY: Late work - evaluate a children's story

HOMEWORK TONIGHT: Further develop your children's story

FOCUS TODAY: Literary techniques

 

Notes on the following literary techniques

  • Idiom
  • Pun
  • Allusion
  • Personification

 

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