Curriculum

English 

In Year 9 English this term, students have been reading the John Steinbeck novel ‘Of Mice and Men’.   When analysing a text, students use TEEL to help them structure their paragraphs. 

Here is an example from Kiara Arevalo:

George and Lennie, characters from the novel ‘of mice and men’ are two migrant workers whose similarities and differences have formed a strong bond between the two. Steinbeck differentiates George and Lennie from each other on their mental and physical appearance and strengths. In the first section he describes George as “small” with “defined features” and Lennie as his opposite, “huge man” and “shapeless of face”.       

When the two characters engage in conversation it is made clear to the reader that Lennie has an intellectual disability. George is caring and responsible and Lennie has grown dependent on him to not only instruct him on what to do but to make sure he is well taken care of. George makes sure he has food, work and doesn’t get into trouble but this can be a difficult task because he is childlike and absentminded. Their relationship can be betrayed as a master and his dog because of the way they communicate to each other. When Lennie had understood and obeyed George he said, “Good boy! That’s fine, Lennie.” Steinbeck also uses animal imagery when describing Lennie’s characteristics and behaviour such as “Slowly like a terrier who doesn’t want to bring a ball to his master” which supports the idea of their type of relationship. Steinbeck develops the characters of George and Lenny by highlighting their differences as a way for them to come together for one special dream.

Thank you for sharing this work Ms Sampson. Well done students for all your efforts, It hasn't gone unnoticed!