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Of Mice and Men Project
A Research Thing
Mr. Rush & Ms. Murphy & Ms. Edwards
Introduction
In order to better appreciate the novella, Of Mice and Men written by John
Steinbeck, you are going to:
1. Conduct research in the library Tuesday (3/8) and Wednesday (3/9)
2. Construct a visual representation of your specific findings Thursday (3/10)
3. Present your findings Friday (3/11)
4. Author an individual research paper using MLA formatting Due Monday 3/14
More details...
1.) Research - Tuesday and Wednesday
For the first part of the project, students will conduct independent research from
printed sources (book, encyclopedia) and online sources (websites that are valid
and pertain to Of Mice and Men or issues/topics). Each student will be assigned
a specific task: geographer, sociologist, psychiatrist, or biographer.
My Role is______________________________________________
2 & 3.)Group Visuals and Presentations – Thursday & Friday
 Time in the library Thursday (3/10) is to be dedicated towards creating,
developing and practicing presentation of your findings.
 Actual summary presentations will be on Friday (3/11).
* Please plan a creative and engaging 7-10 minute presentation of your
groups findings - a rubric will be provided to help you understand the
grading procedure for this portion of the project.
4.) Individual Research Paper – DUE Monday 3/14
Each student will originate a formal 2 page research paper revealing their
findings. Your paper must include the following:
 Proper MLA formatting
 A works cited page with a minimum 5 sources
* 2 sources from print (1 book & 1 encyclopedia), 2 valid web documents,
1 video or other media
 At least 5 in-text citations
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Tips and Ideas
*Focus your research on your assigned topic and consider:
*Create a MLA Works Cited page using the Son of Citation.
*Find and store visuals relevant during your research to be used on group’s visual
presentation
* Consider using interactive media for your group presentation
Examples: Power Point, Microsoft Publisher, Inspiration, etc..
Your ideas:
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Ideas for Research Roles
Geographers: Geographers' Questions:
1. What are the geographical features of California’s Salinas River Valley?
2. What is the Salinas Valley known as?
3. What kinds of jobs are available there?
4. What was John Steinbeck’s relationship to the Salinas Valley?
5. Identify specific locations relevant to Of Mice and Men?
6. For the visual component, create a map of the area with significant locations
identified
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The geography of Of Mice and Men
Setting in Of Mice and Men
Salinas farm country
Salinas Steinbeck Tour
Steinbeck Timeline - Salinas
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Sociologists: Sociologists' Questions:
1. When and what was the Great Depression?
2. What are some of the factors that caused the Great Depression?
3. Who were the migrant workers and how were they affected by the Great
Depression?
4. Do migrant workers exist today? Where? Who are they? What kind of jobs do
they do? How is the issue of migrant workers significant today?
5. For the visual of your presentation, develop a collage of photos of the Great
depression and migrant workers of the 1930’s.
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The Great Depression
More about the Great Depression
Causes of the Great Depression
Great Depression Pictures
The Migrant Experience
Photos of Great Depression
Dust Bowl
Migrant Workers today
Photos of Migrant Workers
Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists' Questions:
1. What is a mental disability and how does it impact a person’s everyday life?
2. What are some of the difficulties faced when caring for a mentally disabled
person?
3. What kinds of support are available for people who care for the mentally
disabled?
4. What role does friendship play in the caring for the mentally disabled?
5. For the visual, create a collage of literature book covers and film posters that
have stories about mentally disabled.
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Mental Disability
Caring for a Mentally Disabled Person
Friendship and the Mentally Disabled
Novels About the Mentally Disabled
Flowers for Algernon
Films with Mentally Disabled Characters
Domick and Eugene
Charly
I Am Sam
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Biographers: Biographers’ Questions:
1. List some of the major facts about Steinbeck’s life.
2. What philosophy of life is revealed in Steinbeck’s Nobel Prize Acceptance
Speech? Give a brief definition of that philosophy.
3. What influenced Steinbeck to write the novella, Of Mice and Men?
4. What are the other major works written by Steinbeck?
5. What is the purpose of the Steinbeck Award? What is the criterion for recipients?
Who are some past recipients of the Steinbeck Award?
6. For the visual, create a collage of photos of Steinbeck and covers of his most
significant novels.
7.What are the social, cultural, and economic issues that influenced John
Steinbeck’s writing of this novella?

John Steinbeck Brief Biography
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John Steinbeck Extended Biography
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Another Steinbeck Biography
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John Steinbeck Nobel Prize Speech
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Steinbeck Award Information
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Steinbeck's Literary Works
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Steinbeck Photos
Group Members: ____________________________
_______________________________
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