Of Mice and Men teaching pack

47 reviews

Last updated: 15/11/2023

Contributor: Teachit Author

Main Subject

English

Key stage

KS3

IGCSE

Resource type

Teaching pack

The activities and ideas in this pack will help students develop a close understanding of the text, explore its social, cultural and historical contexts, consider Steinbeck’s ideas and perspectives, and analyse his use of language and structure.

‘There’s a strong focus on the themes, characters and life in 1930s America in this pack, with plenty of support for students developing their own critical interpretation. There are some great contextual images of the Dust Bowl and documentary-style videos too. It’s a short but powerful novel so the approaches are suitable for KS3 students as well as IGCSE, and there’s something for all abilities.’

Helen Stacey, writer

All the practical and creative ideas you need to teach this popular text in one place.

What's included?

an assessment objective map
lesson plans and ideas alongside tailor-made resources.

What's inside?

Introduction (pages 2-3)

Section 1 (pages 4-20)

Resource - judge a book by its cover
Resource - a comprehensive pack
Resource - Lennie in quotes
Resource - historical context
Resource - wanted poster
Resource - section 1 learning grid
Resource - match the contextual information
Resource - evaluating a PEE paragraph

Section 2 (pages 21-37)

Resource - chapter 2 – introducing more characters
Resource - picture research
Resource - chapter 2 question loop
Resource - role on the wall
Resource - chapters 1 and 2 – picture game

Section 3 (pages 38-58)

Resource - word definitions task
Resource - Steinbeck’s writing style
Resource - foreshadowing
Resource - from Character presentations
Resource - tension graph
Resource - A-Z quiz of George and Lennie’s Dream
Resource - Chapter 3 – Do you know the question? Quiz

Section 4 (pages 59-72)

Resource - bullseye
Resource - Chapter 4 – Getting to know Crooks
Resource - Crooks and Curley’s wife
Resource - critics’ viewpoints
Resource - De Bono’s six thinking hats
Resource - top ten statements

Section 5 (pages 73-100)

Resource - power and authority diamond nine
Resource - the characters’ innermost feelings
Resource - Lennie on trial
Resource - an unusual form
Resource - extract study
Resource - Curley’s wife: Miss Dynamite or lonely victim?
Resource - Curley’s wife: do we sympathise with her?

Section 6 (pages 101-133)

Resource - Chapter 6 – Beat the clock
Resource - storyboard
Resource - characters – key quotations revision guide
Resource - Bloom’s taxonomy discussion questions
Resource - society under scrutiny
Resource - put the PEE structures back together
Resource - themes in the novel – essay planning

Exam style questions (pages 134-135)

This sample shows a student activity for the first section of Of Mice and Men:

Extract study: section 1 (b)

Overview:
Lennie asks George to tell him about the Dream Farm.
‘Lennie spoke … one of them to Lennie.’

1. Steinbeck indicates that this conversation has happened many times before. Find three quotations from the extracts that show this. What is the significance of this?
2. George’s mood changes through the extract. Show how Steinbeck presents this, and suggest why it is so. (Clue: Steinbeck’s use of adverbs may help you see this).
3. What do Lennie’s contributions and interruptions tell us about his character?
4. George often uses the specific colloquial language of the itinerant worker. Copy down these examples from the extract and explain in your own words what they mean:
‘work up a stake’ ‘blow their stake’
‘get the jack’ ‘poundin’ their tail’
5. How does the extract tie in with what you know about ‘The American Dream’? Do you think George and Lennie’s plans are realistic or romantic? How does Steinbeck give us a clue about this?

Extension
Some critics have accused Steinbeck of portraying the relationship between George and Lennie in an overly sentimental way. Find some examples in the extract that these critics might have been thinking of, and try to explain their viewpoint. What do you think about this issue?

All reviews

I have used this pack with Year 8 pupils. It is a brilliant resource. Lots of fun activities and it gives a detailed insight into ranch life in 1930s America. The boys especially enjoyed performing the court case.

Tash Watson
Head of English and Drama

Natasha Watson

31/03/2022

08/06/2021

15/02/2021

03/02/2021

Thank you for this resource.

Dora Osei

15/11/2016

I teach English to a wide range of abilities in mixed year groups in a PRU - this resource is gold dust. I will be able to cherry pick and differentiate resources, tasks and worksheets from one place. Thank you for such a comprehensive resource.

Wendy Hollands

02/11/2016

Excellent structure:detailed and suitable for differentiation at all relevant levels.

17/09/2016

A well structured and informative resource. I like the focus on specific characters and issues. Thank you.

05/04/2016

A nice array of tasks that suit a range of candidates. Thanks for some great ideas. (Jackie Kirkland)

Jackie Kirkland

29/07/2015

lovely resource thanks

bernadette ellis

10/02/2015

'Of Mice and Men' is taught in Year 9 and we have a fairly comprehensive SOL for the text. However, I am very sure that I will be able to use some of the resources you have. For a start I like the Images of the Dust Bowl and the Vegetation and the river - that gives enormous credence to the text as we read it, it will be useful for them to see the images of the setting. Henceforth I will write in when I do the text with my Year 9s and use some of your resources. Thank you for your help and guidance.

04/09/2014

Just looking for some new ideas to freshen up approaches. Also mindful that we need to prepare students for the literature exam.

29/08/2014

Prepare for CA and Lit

12/05/2014

Of Mice and Men teaching pack

What's included?

What's inside?

All reviews

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