Of Mice and Men
Students will build a stronger understanding of the key scenes in the novel.
The basic premise of this activity is to create a “message board” where students can post and comment upon important, entertaining, interesting, etc., passages from a reading. This activity lends itself well to working with novels as it is an ongoing creation in which all students can choose to participate.
Although this activity can be done in a digital environment such as a wiki page, good old fashioned butcher paper and markers may be more effective. An online version of this activity is difficult to incorporate directly into the classroom. However, if students are highly active online, digital may be the way to go.
3-5 minutes per session
Allow time for students to post to the message board each day.
The main purpose of this activity to generate interest and participation in the readings. Consider giving participation points to students who contribute to the message board.
Use these essay questions for writing prompts, journal assignments, assessments, or discussion starters.
Students work in small groups to analyze and dissect a reading, then report back to the class. This activity aids students in understanding complex material.
Provide a structure that students of all abilities can utilize to build their analytical skills.
Help develop students’ critical analysis abilities. The assignment can be modified per grade level/ability, and is a perfect introduction to scholarly papers.
An in-depth, section by section breakdown of short writing prompts for use in journal assignments, assessments, and discussion starters.
Provide additional structure and guidance to that found in “Mining for Examples.” Students create their own study guide for the novel.