Links:
- Geographer:Depression Photos
- Geographer:Gabilan Mountains
- Freemont Peak
- Rolling Hills
- Geographer:Salinas Facts
- Geographer:Monterey Farm Land
- Geographer:Steinbeck and Salinas
- Sociologist:Migrant Workers
- Sociologist:Photos of Migrant Workers
- Sociologist:The Great Depression
- Psychiatrist:Mental Retardation
- Psychiatrist:Cargiver Stress
- Psychiatrist:Mental Retardation and Friendship
- Biographer: John Steinbeck
- Biographer: Steinbeck's Nobel Prize Speech
- Biographer:More Steinbeck
INTRODUCTION
John Steinbeck wrote Of Mice and Men to respond to the struggles and hardships of many Americans during the great depression and the dust bowl. Our main characters are migrant workers, (one has a mental disability), who struggle to make ends meet and only have their friendship to guide them to their dreams and hopes.
OBJECTIVE
Grasp an understanding of the background of John Steinbeck and his novel before reading as it will help in understanding all the issues and themes surrounding the story. Understanding will be shown my completing individual tasks and then coming together as a group to complete.
PROCESS
In your groups of four, assign roles. Each person will have a different role.
ROLE 1: Geographer
ROLE 2: Sociologist
ROLE 3: Psychiatrist
ROLE 4: Biographer
You will be graded individually for your section. All questions must be answered as well as the visual component must be completed to satisfaction.
GEOGRAPHERS
1. What are the geographical features of the Salinas valley in California?
2. What kinds of jobs are available here?
3. What was John Steinbek's relationship to the Salinas Valley?
4. For the visual component, create a map of the area with significant locations identified: Salinas, Monteray, Freemont Peak, Gabilan Mountains etc.
SOCIOLOGISTS
1. What was the Great Depression?
2. What were some of the causes?
3. Who were the migrant workers and how were they affected by the Great Depression?
4. Do migrant workers exist today? Where? what kinds of jobs do they have?
5. For the visual portion of your presentation, develop the front page of a newspaper during the depression utilizing information as well as pictures you found during your research as a sociologist.
PSYCHIATRISTS
1. What is a mental disability and how does it affect a person's everyday life?
2. What are some of the difficulties in caring for a mentally disabled person?
3. What kinds of support are avaiable for caregivers?
4. What is the role of friendship in caring for the mentally disabled?
5. For the visual portion of your presentation, create an informational brochure about mental retardation. (There are templates for brochures on your computer.)
BIOGRAPHERS
1. Give a short summary of what you have learned of Steinbeck’s childhood and life.
2. What philosophy of life is revealed in Steinbeck's Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech?
3. What infuenced Stenbeck to write Of Mice and Men?
4. For the visual portion of your presentation, create a timeline of Steinbeck’s life and works. Use pictures when possible.