Of Mice and Men
Reading Packet
_________________________
Name
________
Block
Directions:
For each reading selection, complete the pre-reading activity prior
to reading the selection, take notes during your reading and
follow the “flagging” directions, and answer the post-reading
questions after reading the selection.
This packet will be collected for points (50 total) when we have
finished reading and discussing the book as a whole. If you lose
this packet, it is your responsibility to get the questions and
respond to them on separate paper to turn in. This packet can
also be found on the class website.
Date
In-Class Reading/Activity
Schedule
Mon. Oct. 8 Of Mice and Men, Compare/Contrast peer review
Homework Due
Of Mice & Men p. 1-16 & notes
Wed. Oct. 10 Of Mice and Men
Of Mice & Men p. 17-37 & notes
Oct. 12 Of Mice and Men
Of Mice & Men p. 38-65 & notes
Tues. Oct 16 Of Mice and Men
Of Mice & Men p. 66-83 & notes,
Fri.
Compare/Contrast Essay 2nd Draft
Thurs. Oct. 18 Of Mice and Men, Socratic Seminar
Mon. Oct. 22 Of Mice and Men writing
Reading packet due
Source:
Burke, Jim. What’s the Big Idea? Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2010.
Of Mice & Men p. 84-107 & notes
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 1 (p. 1-16)
Pre-reading: What do you know about the Great Depression in the United States?
During Reading:
Using your post-it flags, mark places in your book that describe Lennie and George. Keep in mind that we can find out about
characters through their names, physical description, actions/reactions, thoughts, and dialogue. We can find things out directly
(Steinbeck tells us) or indirectly (we must infer).
Jot down five words that describe Lennie and five words that describe George.
Lennie
George
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
5.
Post-Reading:
Which of the words above best describes Lennie? Why?
Which of the words above best describes George? Why?
Complete the following sentence: The relationship between George and Lennie is like… After you complete the sentence, explain
why their relationship is like this and provide examples to support your idea.
Speculate about what happened in Weed that caused them to leave. Predict what you think will happen in this story based on what
happened before. What details do you base your prediction on?
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 2 (p. 17-37)
Pre-Reading:
List three qualities of a good friend. A good friend is ____________________, ____________________, and
_________________________.
During Reading:
As you read flag moments revealing the relationship between George and Lennie.
Jot down five things you notice about their relationship.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Post-Reading:
Look at the qualities you used to describe a good friend. Do these apply to George and Lennie? Why or why
not? Use details from the text to support your response.
Describe Curley’s wife by focusing on her relationship with Curley and the men.
How might you compare the relationship between Lennie and George with Candy and his old dog?
How does the mood change in this chapter? Generate several words to describe the mood in the story in the
beginning and at the end of the chapter. What causes that change?
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 3 (p. 38-65)
Pre-Reading: List five key details that provide background to the character and the plot up to this point. Explain why each detail is
so important to the story.
Detail
Explanation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
During Reading:
As you read flag moments that increase the tension in the story. Look for places of conflict and/or foreshadowing.
How do these moments affect the plot?
Post-Reading:
Everyone respects Slim, especially Candy (p. 45) for whom “Slim’s opinions were law.” Write down a few reasons why people
respect someone. Explain why everyone respects Slim and how Slim is similar to or different from a person you respect.
John Steinbeck said, “In every bit of honest writing in the world there is a base theme: Try to understand men; if you understand
each other you will be kind to each other. Knowing a man well never leads to hate and nearly always leads to love.” Explain what
you think this quote means and how it relates to the novel and your own experience.
You are roughly halfway through the novel. Based on what you know at this point, what do you think will happen in the remainder
of the story? What do you base your prediction on?
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 4 (p. 66-83)
Pre-Reading: Think about your own experiences in which one person seemed stronger or more dominant
than everyone else? How did that person treat others? How did the weak respond?
During Reading:
As you read, flag instances in which one character seems to dominate or take control of another. What
makes this person stronger or weaker?
Fill in this chart as you read.
Strong Character
Verb
(EXAMPLE) Person X
belittles
Weak Character
person Y
Reason
to prove that he…
1.
2.
3.
4.
Post-Reading:
Steinbeck suggests that many of the characters have some problem—suffer from something that sets them
apart from others. Using the chart below, examine four different characters, their problems, and the causes &
effects of those problems.
Character
Problem
Cause of Problem
Effect of Problem
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 5 (p. 84-107)
Pre-Reading: What do you predict will happen in the end of this novel? Why?
During Reading:
As you read, flag places where key decisions are being made by the characters. Note these decisions and your
reactions to them.
Character
Decision
My Reaction
Post-Reading:
How do external forces affect Lennie and George? Explain using details from the text.
Evaluate George’s decision at the end of the novel. Do you agree with his decision? Why or why not?
If you could write an additional chapter to this novel, what would happen in it? Why? What in the novel leads
you to this belief?