Of Mice and Men Balancing Sculpture
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Students will create a balancing spinning sculpture that will be a metaphor for a dream or concern from a character of the book Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.

Unit Overview

The Basics
Experiences:  Novice
Age Group:  14 - 17
Group Size:  20 - 25
Hours:  10 hours

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the use of literary and/or rhetorical devices in a text
• Cite sufficient and relevant textual evidence and connect it to your claim
• Develop a logical argument with claim, evidence, and reasoning

Performance Task

• Students will choose a particular character and perform a close reading of sections of the text that best evidence the character’s dreams and limitations.
  
• Based on their close reading, students will extrapolate two images- One that best represents the character’s dreams and one that represents the character’s limitations.
  
• Students will begin sculpting small pieces that align to their analysis.
  
• Students will complete writing pieces that explain their creative choices.
  
• Students will collaborate to add their sculptures to a class sculpture that will (through the addition of multiple and various sculptures) represent themes in the novel.     
  
• Students will present their sculptures and explain the thinking behind their chosen sculpture pieces. ​

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