You are about to embark on a journey of understanding of what it was like to be a migrant worker in the Salinas valley of California during the 1930's, during the great depression. John Steinbeck wrote Of Mice and Men as a vehicle to express his social conscience about the period. Of Mice and Men is a novel about poverty and dreams, friendship and loneliness, and despair and hope. Through the memorable characters of George and Lennie, Steinbeck paints a portrait of enduring friendship that you won't soon forget. In order to help you to understand the context of the novel and how it still resonates today, you are about to embark on a Webquest that will lay the ground work for a deeper understanding of this simple, yet profound story.

With a partner, answer the following questions by clicking on the links below. Answer questions on a Word document- print off two copies, one for me and one for you and your partner to use for class discussion.

1. What are the geographical features of the Salinas Valley in California?
2. What kinds of jobs are available here?
3. What was John Steinbeck’s relationship to the Salinas Valley?
4. What was the Great Depression?
5. What were some of the causes?
6.  Who were the migrant workers and how were they affected by the Great Depression?
7. Do migrant workers exist today? Where? What kinds of jobs do they have?
8. Describe FDR’s New Deal.
9. What were Hoovervilles?
10. What is a mental disability and how does it affect a person's everyday life?
11. What are some of the difficulties in caring for a mentally disabled person?
12. What is the role of friendship in caring for the mentally disabled?
13. A visual representation (picture, collage…etc…) of Steinbeck’s 1930s.