Study Guides

Analyzing the Text
Ongoing Activity
Grades 6–12
Language Arts, History
Small Group, Entire Class, Writing, Research

Objectives

  • Students will understand the nature of a study guide by reading Mr. Lettiere’s study guide.
  • Students will understand the nature of a self-created study guide by being guided through Mining for Examples. For a partial sample of what Merryhill School students in Milpitas, California, created as a study guide for Of Mice and Men, see Mining for Examples Sample Project.
  • Students will be able to create their own, unique study guide for Of Mice and Men.

Overview

Study guides are important to understanding a novel; however, they should never replace actual reading and discussion of the novel.

Although there are many “study guides” for Of Mice and Men available on the Internet, the one below by English teacher, Mr. Lettiere, is particularly useful for students who are not yet proficient in reading and writing. There are many good suggestions in his guide.

However, the best study guides are ones created by students themselves. Whenever students are involved in creating their own curriculum, they tend to succeed.

Materials Needed/Preparation

  • Copies of Of Mice and Men.
  • Access to Mr. Lettiere’s study guide (see links below).
  • Refer to Mining for Examples for further details.
  • Refer to Mr. Lettiere’s study guide handouts:
  • Study Guide Chapter 1
  • Study Guide Chapter 2
  • Study Guide Chapter 3
  • Study Guide Chapter 4
  • Study Guide Chapters 5 & 6

Estimated Time

The creation of a study guide is ongoing, and the time spent in the classroom is up to the discretion of the teacher.

Procedures

Before students create their own study guide (in small groups), refer to both Mining for Examples and Mr. Lettiere’s sample study guide.

Post Activity/Takeaways/Follow-up

Takeaways

  • Students should be able to pass on their study guides to the next class that will be reading Of Mice and Men.
  • Students can leave respectful comments on a special page (on the wall) for such.

Follow-up

  • Individuals can evaluate/grade the students’ study guides.

Assessment

  • During the course of Of Mice and Men reading, teachers should monitor the progress of the study guides and give occasional tests/quizzes.
  • How thorough is a student’s study guide?

Common Core State Standards Met

  • Reading Standards for Literature 6-12
  • ~Key Ideas and Details: 1, 2, 3
  • ~Craft and Structure: 4, 5, 6
  • ~Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: 9
  • ~Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity: 10
  • Reading Standards for Informational Text 6-12
  • ~Key Ideas and Details: 1, 2, 3
  • ~Craft and Structure: 4, 5, 6
  • ~Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: 8
  • ~Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity: 10
  • Writing Standards 6-12
  • ~Text Types and Purposes: 1, 2
  • ~Production and Distribution of Writing: 4, 5
  • ~Research to Build and Present Knowledge: 9
  • ~Range of Writing: 10
  • Speaking and Listening Standards 6-12
  • ~Comprehension and Collaboration: 1
  • Language Standards 6-12
  • ~Conventions of Standard English: 1, 2
  • ~Knowledge of Language: 3
  • ~Vocabulary Acquisition and Use: 4, 5, 6
  • Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies 6-12
  • ~Key Ideas and Details: 1, 2
  • ~Craft and Structure: 4, 5
  • ~Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: 9
  • Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects 6-12
  • ~Text Types and Purposes: 1, 2
  • ~Production and Distribution of Writing: 4, 5
  • ~Research to Build and Present Knowledge: 7
  • ~Range of Writing: 10

Related Lesson Plans for this Work