Student Choice Lesson for Of Mice and Men Background Information
Of Mice and Men—Lesson 1
Essential Question: What was John Steinbeck’s historical context?
Learning Target: I can understand homelessness.
__1. Chart what students already know about kids riding the rails in the Great Depression on a big piece of paper. After viewing continue to add to each group's chart(s).
2. 2. Students will view the PBS documentary Riding the Rails and complete a study guide that goes with the film (to focus on important information regarding the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and migrant workers.
__3. The students can fill out the study guide while the documentary is going. Afterwards, hold a discussion and fill out your personal reflections. Add new knowledge to the chart. Do this together as a class.
__4. Part II of the personal reflections write a letter from the point of view of a teenager during the 1930's who has run away to ride the rails. Explain why you left and what you are experiencing. What are your hopes? What are your fears?
Student Choice:
You are to create a Power Point presentation of at least 10 slides and a title slide (11 in all) or create a video documentary over one of your topics from your chart posted in the classroom.
1. Include pictures/photographs.
2. Include important information to educate your audience.
3. Support your topic with sources. You can include that in the credits or in the notes of PP.
4. Grammar/Spelling is important!
5. Be creative with your groups and have fun!
6. You can add music from the time period, animation, etc.
This is how the original lesson started. After studying in class about nurturing creativity, I immediately asked my class additional ways they could present their topic regarding the any topic of interest from their chart(s) about the 1930's, Great Depression, Dust Bowl, Riding the Rails, etc.
Results:
1. In addition to the Power Point, the kids began thinking about different ways of researching and presenting these topics. Many discussions, research and laughs took place. I am enclosing pics of what my class is doing! There is some great learning happening!
2. To begin with, here are the charts each small group worked on.
Students are creating a game. They felt this would help people learn "facts" about the topic(s).
Students below are researching and creating a documentary/power point.
Intensive research and recording of notes. These students are creating a video.
I am very excited to see the end result of these different forms of creativity in the work. The students continue to learn and research amazing facts! This has been very gratifying.
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