Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Building Background Group Project
Procedure
1. Each group will be assigned a topic to research.
2. Do some preliminary research to decide how you will divide your topic into effective subtopics for
each member of the group. Confirm your subtopic selections with Mrs.Kim.
3. Do the research and become an expert in your topic. Your group will be responsible for teaching the
class! Make sure to cite your information as you collect it.
4. Create a 6-paneled brochure to be distributed to your classmates. Each member should be
responsible for a subtopic panel. You must prepare enough copies of the brochure for your
classmates. (There are 27 people in our class!) If you would like me to photocopy (only in black and
white), you must provide me with an original TWO DAYS prior to your presentation date.
5. Design a PowerPoint presentation as a group. Each member should have at least one slide to
present his/her information. Slides should be visually appealing, not filled with typed information!
PowerPoint presentations should range between 6 – 8 minutes. Your presentation should be
accessible via FLASHDRIVE. (Make sure to also have a backup in case!)
Side – 1 (outside) of your brochure
Subtopic 4
Works Cited
And creative back of
the brochure
Cover – creatively
present your group’s
subject
(group member
names)
Side -2 (inside) of your brochure
Subtopic 1
Subtopic 2
Subtopic 3
Timeline: You will be given three days to work in the library. In order to make your time as a GROUP
effective, you MUST be working on your research at home.
Monday 9/27 – LIBRARY – Begin your research
Homework: Continue your research at home!
Tuesday 9/28 – LIBRARY – Begin compiling your information into a PowerPoint presentation.
Wednesday 9/29 – LIBRARY – Last day to work together as a group! Create your brochure.
Rehearse your presentation.
Thursday 9/30 – MEET BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.
Homework: Vocab Quiz for Chap 1-2 on Friday 10/1
Friday 10/1 – Presentations begin
Homework: Read Chap 3 and define remaining words Due Mon 10/4
Topics:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
Steinbeck’s life
Salinas, California
The Great Depression
Banned Books (Of Mice and Men used to be a banned book!)
The Dust Bowl
U.S. Route 66
Life, Cost of living, and Culture of the 1930’s
Our Group Members:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Our Topic: _____________________________________________________
Our Presentation Date: ______________________
Our Subtopics, approved by Mrs.Kim:
1)
2)
3)
4)
GRADING RUBRIC CRITERIA:
An excellent “A” group project will meet the following criteria:
*Individual grade 20 pts + Group grade 40 pts = 60 total points possible
Individual contribution
(out of 10 points)
Individual Presentation/
Preparation
(out of 10 points)
Group Brochure
(out of 20 points)
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Group PowerPoint
(out of 20 points)
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group members have worked cooperatively
work is evenly distributed
in-class work time has been used effectively
presenters are prepared and present
presenter is knowledgeable and well informed
of his/her topic
presentation is well-rehearsed
presenter is confident and poised
eye-contact and smooth delivery, not reading
Brochure is inventive, original, and visually
appealing
Brochure has no distracting errors, corrections,
or spelling/grammar mistakes
information is accurate and cited
content is well-composed
PPT is visually appealing
PPT is not overloaded with information
PPT has no visible or distracting errors
information is accurate
Group is prepared and ready to present
Please DETATCH this bottom portion with “Name/Subtopic” portion filled out. Hand this in to
Mrs.Kim by the end of class on Monday 9/27.
OUR GROUP’S TOPIC IS _________________________________
Group member’s Name/Subtopic
Individual
contribution
Presentation/
Preparation
Group
Brochure
Group
PowerPoint
Total
Score out
of 60
PERIOD 3 groups:
1) Tyler G, Megan, Amber, Ryan Sacks
2) Carol, Aryssa, Donald, Kate
3) Hisham, Ben Winebrake, Rebecca, Jenna
4) Haley, Ross, Layla
5) Serim, Steph, Tyler Peskin, Aleks
6) Laynie, Toni, Casie, Ben K
7) Caroline, Ryan Donachie, Soyoung, Alexandra
PERIOD 7 groups:
1) Jonathan, Jen Amentt, Sam Lee, Sarah Russek
2) Asher, Vera, Samantha, Sam Lieberman
3) Roger, Frenchie, Sung, Seth
4) Jess, Jen Sugarman, Eddy, Brian
5) Cory, Abe, Rebecca, Charlie
6) Joe, Kim, Hannah, Sam Bashman
7) Monica, Dillon, Andrea