This engaging, ready-to-use PowerPoint is the second lesson in a comprehensive unit designed to help teachers deliver John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men with historical depth and thematic resonance. In this lesson, students explore the opening setting of the novel, analysing Steinbeck’s use of descriptive language to establish mood, foreshadow events, and introduce key themes. Key Features: Structured Learning Intentions & Success Criteria – Clear objectives for understanding the significance of setting in Steinbeck’s narrative and its symbolic connections to themes of isolation and the American Dream. Interactive Tasks – Including an analysis of key vocabulary from the opening scene (e.g., “recumbent,” “mottled”) to support language acquisition. Differentiated “Work Crew” Challenges – A tiered task system (Greenhorn, Lead Rider, Skinner) that allows students to engage with the description of the Salinas River at varying levels of complexity. Contextual Depth – A matching exercise to reinforce the symbolism within the setting and its connection to historical and social realities helps students get to grips with the introduction of key themes. Creative Extension – An optional task where students plan a a 60-second BookTok-style video explaining what’s really going on in the opening of Of Mice and Men. Exit Tickets – Reflective prompts that encourage students to reflect on what they have learned, and what they are left wondering. Unit Connection: This lesson is part of a larger, purchasable unit that guides students through Of Mice and Men with thematic rigour, character analysis, and historical inquiry. Subsequent and prior lessons help students connect the novel’s setting and characters to its broader emotional and social contexts. The lesson map – followable for students – will show the progression of their learning. Ideal For: Teachers seeking an engaging and structured approach to Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Classrooms emphasizing the exploration of symbolism and its role in storytelling. Educators who want to deepen students’ connection to the text through a creative and historical lens. Remember: The first presentation in this series is free (01. Steinbeck and the Great Depression) — a taste of the full unit’s quality and approach. Download it now and try it, then come back to check out this one! If you do love how it brings Steinbeck’s world to life, don’t miss Lesson 3, which explores the introduction of characters and the tensions that drive the plot forward. (And please leave a review!)

This engaging, ready-to-use PowerPoint is the first lesson in a comprehensive unit designed to help teachers deliver John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men with historical depth and thematic resonance. The lesson introduces students to Steinbeck’s background and the harsh realities of the Great Depression, contextualising the struggles of migrant workers like George and Lennie. Key Features: • Structured Learning Intentions & Success Criteria – Clear goals for understanding Steinbeck’s focus on marginalisation and the era’s socio-economic challenges. • Interactive Tasks – Including a creative “Steinbeck’s Inbox” activity where students decide what stories a man like Steinbeck might be interested in, fostering empathy and historical connection. • Differentiated “Work Crew” Challenges – A tiered task system (Greenhorn, Lead Rider, Skinner) that mirrors the novel’s themes of labour and worth, accommodating diverse learners. • Contextual Depth – Key terms, statistics, and definitions (e.g., Black Tuesday, casual farmhand work) paired with a matching exercise for reinforcement. • Role-Play Extension – An optional immersive simulation where students negotiate 1930s job scarcity, deepening understanding of power dynamics that shape the novel. • Exit Tickets & Extension / Homework Task – Reflective prompts and an optional identity-based bargaining game to extend learning beyond the classroom. Unit Connection: This lesson is part of a larger, purchasable unit that guides students through Of Mice and Men with thematic rigour, character analysis, and historical inquiry. Subsequent lessons build on this foundation, and the lesson map – followable for students – will show the route of the learning. Ideal For: • Teachers seeking a structured yet flexible approach to Of Mice and Men. • Classrooms emphasising differentiation, student agency, and real-world connections. • Educators who want to blend literary analysis with immersive historical context.