Steinbeck's introduction of Crooks in 'Of Mice and Men'

Attached is a lesson which asks students to analyse how Steinbeck introduces Crooks in chapter 4 and interests the reader in him. The lesson starts by asking students to list what they know about the context of 1930's America and black people lives then. The second slide gives some facts about the end of slavery, lynching and the Jim Crow laws.

Students are then asked in pairs or groups to read the quotes from chapter 4 (either before of after reading it in full) which are on the hand out sheet and consider what they show about him as a person. On the powerpoint there are some suggestions including references to any techniques that Steinbeck uses for effect.

The lesson ends with a chance for students to write independent essay paragraphs with a generic success criteria which can be adapted for your course. There are 3 options on how to approach essay writing: 'layers of meaning', PEA, or the 'reading ladder' which follow the same idea. There is then an opportunity to self or peer assess according to the key skills.

As with all my lessons, there are 'Talk for Writing' activities and Challenge tasks for more able students.