Week of May 15, Letters to John Steinbeck

Hi everyone,

Today we will write only the body of a letter to John Steinbeck, telling him what we think about his novel Of Mice and Men.

Type your letters in Google Docs, saved as "letter to John Steinbeck".

In paragraph one, please introduce yourself and explain why you are writing him (to tell him your reaction to his novel).

In paragraph two, please tell him three things you liked and/or learned from his novel.  Also tell him your favorite characters and why.

In paragraph three, please ask him two questions and tell him two things you would like for him to know.

Post this letter to our blog as a comment.

Week of May 1, Quote Sandwiches

Hi everyone,

This week we will be thinking deeply about Chapter 4.

In Google Docs, please answer the questions below as quote sandwiches.

•Top slice of bread = your thoughts, beliefs and ideas about the question/topic

•In the middle is the meat = the quote from the story/article that proves the answer to your question

•Bottom slice of bread = “this quotes shows us that…” Concluding sentences, again proving the answer to your question/topic.

1. Create a quote sandwich about Crooks. Copy one quote that shows you about his personality and explain what we learn about him/her.
2. Create a quote sandwich about how another character feels about Crooks. Copy one quote that shows you how this character feels about Crooks and explain what we learn about him/her.
3. When you finish, post your answers to our blog.
4. Finally, read other students' posts and write what you learn from them.

Week of April 24, Chapter 3 Quote Sandwiches

Hi everyone,

This week we will be thinking deeply about Chapter 3.

In Google Docs, please answer the questions below as quote sandwiches.

•Top slice of bread = your thoughts, beliefs and ideas about the question/topic

•In the middle is the meat = the quote from the story/article that proves the answer to your question

•Bottom slice of bread = “this quotes shows us that…” Concluding sentences, again proving the answer to your question/topic.

1. Copy one quote from pages 38-43 that shows something about George or Slim’s personality. Explain what we learn about this character from the quote you chose.
2. Do you think that Carlson did the right thing in pages 44-49? Why or why not? Write a paragraph that explains your opinion, using a quote from these pages.
3. Choose any character from pages 53-56. Copy one quote that shows you about his personality and explain what we learn about him.
4. When you finish, post your answers to our blog.
5. Finally, read other students' posts and write what you learn from them.

April 17, Quote Sandwiches and Inferences

Hi everyone,

This week we are going to continue to understand the characters in Of Mice and Men.

In Google Docs, create a document called "Character Quote Sandwiches"

Pick a character from chapter 2 (Swamper, Boss, Curley, Curley's wife, Slim, Carlson).

Write paragraph for the character, as a quote sandwich, following this structure:

•Top slice of bread = your thoughts, beliefs and ideas about the character.

•In the middle is the meat = the quote from the story/article that teaches us about this character.

•Bottom slice of bread = “this quotes shows us that…” Concluding sentences, again proving what you believe about this character.

• When you are finished, post your quote sandwiches to our blog.

• Finally, read the poem below and write another post in which you explain the connection between this poem and Of Mice and Men:

Alone by Maya Angelou

1. Lying, thinking

2. Last night

3. How to find my soul a home

4. Where water is not thirsty

5. And bread loaf is not stone

6. I came up with one thing

7. And I don't believe I'm wrong

8. That nobody,

9. But nobody

10. Can make it out here alone.

11. Alone, all alone

12. Nobody, but nobody

13. Can make it out here alone.

14. There are some millionaires

15. With money they can't use

16. Their wives run round like banshees

17. Their children sing the blues

18. They've got expensive doctors

19. To cure their hearts of stone.

20. But nobody

21. No, nobody

22. Can make it out here alone.

23. Alone, all alone

24. Nobody, but nobody

25. Can make it out here alone.

26. Now if you listen closely

27. I'll tell you what I know

28. Storm clouds are gathering

29. The wind is gonna blow

30. The race of man is suffering

31. And I can hear the moan,

32. 'Cause nobody,

33. But nobody

34. Can make it out here alone.

35. Alone, all alone

36. Nobody, but nobody

37. Can make it out here alone.

Week of March 27, Research for Of Mice and Men

Hi everyone,

This week, we are going to do some background research in preparation to read our novel, Of Mice and Men.

This novel addresses several important topics:

1. Migrant workers
2. The Great Depression
3. Mental Retardation
4. Euthanasia/Mercy Killing
5. Farming/Ranching in the 1930's
6. John Steinbeck

Today, please do research on these topics. Each of the above topics is a link to a website with good information for you.

Copy and paste the questions below into a new document in Google Docs. Save the document as "Research for Of Mice and Men". If you don't finish in class, you must finish at home!

1. When was the Great Depression?
2. Where did it occur?
3. Find an image from the Great Depression.
4. What are migrant workers?
5. What is ranching?
6. What was it like to be a farmer or rancher in the 1930's?
7. What did migrant workers do on ranches?
8. Why was the Great Depression a difficult time for migrant workers (this question will not have answers on line. You need to make an inference (an educated guess based on your knowledge))?
9. What is mental retardation?
10. Imagine you were a migrant worker who had mental retardation during the Great Depression. Why is this a very difficult situation to be in (this question will not have answers on line. You need to make an inference (an educated guess based on your knowledge))?
11. What is mercy killing or euthanasia?
12. Tell me three facts about John Steinbeck.

Now post your answers to our class blog.

Week of March 20, Helping the CIW

Hi everyone,

This week we are going to help the CIW in their new campaign.

Please do your work in Google Docs! Save it and print it for class.

• Write a letter to supermarket chain that buys tomatoes from Immokalee. (Some of the largest supermarket chains that buy Florida tomatoes are Kroger, Publix, Martin’s, Giant, and Stop & Shop.)
• Write to this business about the challenges that farm workers in Immokalee face, and explain to the business how they can help these workers.
• Use specific information from the articles we have read and videos we have watched to support your ideas.
• Your letter should be at least three paragraphs.

Paragraph One – Introduce yourself and explain why you care about the rights of farm workers in Immokalee.

Paragraph Two – Explain the needs of the farm workers. What do you think the business you are writing to should do to help the farm workers? Why do you think the business should do this? Why will it be good for the farm workers? Why will it be good for the business?

Paragraph Three – Summarize your request and why it is important.

Please do your work in Google Docs! Save it and print it for class. We need it because we will be revising them and mailing them!

Week of March 13, Coalition of Immokalee Workers

Hi everyone,

This week we are going to learn about the Coalition of Immokalee Workers.

Please visit their website.

Now watch these films about the organization:

Watch Immokalee on PBS. See more from Connect.

Now watch this Public Service Announcement:

One Penny More from Ralf Gonzalez DP on Vimeo.

Then answer these questions (you can find the answers on the CIW's website):

1. What is the mission of this organization?
2. Where are they located?
3. What successes have they had?
4. What is their current campaign about?
5. What inspires you about their work and why?

Now please post your response to our blog as a comment.

Then read three other students' blogs and write responses.