“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”

that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place. . . . With us it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in no bar room blowin’ in our jack jus’ because we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us.”

–Chp.1 Of Mice and Men

First, I’ll do a little presentation on literary terms in Of Mice and Men. We’ll look at characterization and theme.

Then, groups will choose either George or Lenny and they’ll go through the methods of characterization and quote from chapter 1 a short sample that show that method and what it says about the character. Handout

Next, we’ll read a bit from chapter 2 and talk a bit about the new characters. I’ll then ask you to respond in a short writing assignment to the following prompt:

Take the discussion between George and the Boss.  What happens? What theme do you think Steinbeck is working with here and what is he saying?

Put your answer here.

Finally, we’ll take some time to work in memorizing pairs and work together to get the poems memorized.

HW: Read chapter 2 (pgs. 16-37).  Keep memorizing.  Remember, we see each other for a full A-day Monday.

Let’s take a look at what we have so far.  Click here and show me what you have for a hook and setting up the problem.  You may want to choose a shorter excerpt to stand in for the larger part of your persuasion piece.

Then, we’ll talk a bit.

HW:  Write up through section 3–explaining your solution–by Monday.

Take a look at this example to give you an idea of a strong persuasive essay. See this one as well (though it doesn’t have a section 4 “responding to critics”).

Here is a more complete, text-booky explanation of persuasion if you need it.

After a quick debriefing on the Photog in-class assignment, we’re going to talk a bit about argument. We’ll look at the opposingviews site and choose topics in small groups and note how arguments are created, how they use facts and logic, and what techniques are most persuasive.

Then, I’ll go through the Pecha-Kucha assignment, have students break up into pairs, and then use either procon.org, opposingviews, or the KCLS database (Opposing Viewpoints) to choose propositions.  One student will be for the proposition and another will be against. Also, see this site for examples of pecha kuchas.

Finally, I’ll give you class time to begin your research for your topic. Next week, we’ll talk about presentation construction.

HW: Have 5-7 sources and a rough outline of how your argument will proceed.

Let’s start with a scavenger hunt to introduce Of Mice and Men–our next book. Each group should record their answers here.

1) What was the price of a coat during the 1930s when the book was set and published (1937)?

2) The book takes places in Salinas, California.  What towns are near Salinas? What’s the nearest big city?

3) Explain what a bindlestiff is and what their lives were like  in the 20s and 30s.

4) John Steinbeck was a controversial writer. Explain why he was famous and why he was controvesial.

5) Where does the title Of Mice and Men come from and what does it mean?

6) Give me a few of the lyrics of a popular song written within a few years of 1937.

7) How were mentally disabled people treated during the 1930s? Give your source and be as specific as possible.

Eight) Find and name a famous painting (and the painter) that was painted in 1937.

9) Something happened to one of Steinbeck’s early drafts of Of Mice and Men. What happened?

10) How did people dress in 1937?  Find 2 pictures: 1 of well-off people and another of working class people.

Resources: Life Magazine photo archive, American Memory, National Steinbeck society, Prices: Then and Now, Surviving the Dust Bowl.

After we do that and share our answers, we’ll start reading Of Mice and Men’s first chapter.

Finally, I want to spend some time memorizing our poems.  We’ll get buddy’s to help each other and try to get up to 14 lines by the end of the day.

HW:  Read chapter 1 (pgs. 1-16) and have 14 lines memorized.

We’ll talk a bit about how to cite your research in class using MLA. Here are some examples.

Some good citation sites are:

• Son of citation machine
• EasyBib
• BibMe

In class, I’ll check your research logs and see where you are in research and give you a quick grade. I also want to remind you of the 5 steps of Persuasive Writing (hook, set up the problem, explain solution, answer critics, and call to action) and I’d like to look at least steps 1-2 by Friday.

HW: Finish research. Write first 2 sections of essay.