Introduction

Just when George met with Lenny in the clearing as they had arranged, a strange fog blanketed the river where they were hiding from the howling dogs and angry ranch hands.  They could hear the barking getting closer. The shouts of the men seemed amplified by the heavy mist and echoed in the two fugitive's ears. George reached out to take hold of Lenny’s arm to signal him to stay quiet, but his hand passed right through Lenny’s body.  Lenny looked as surprised as George, and could not help but  call out in a pitiful plea, “Don’t leave me George!  I promise I won’t say a word.”  George tried to answer Lenny, but no sound came from his lips, as he seemes to be pulled backwards at an alarming rate, viewing Lenny now from a great distance.

The fog began to lift. The dogs reached the riverbank quickly followed by the men.  There was no one to be found, and no sound but the wind through the trees as it pushed the last of the misty haze down the river.

George and Lenny awoke the next morning along that same stretch of river.  It was not the sound of  dogs barking, or the pounding of the horses' hooves that caused them to jolt upright.  It was the slow-moving shadow of a huge bird, and its rumbling vibrations as it passed overhead. 
 

George and Lenny have been “misteriously” transported to the 21st Century.  How will they survive this New World?  What will they need to start new lives in the California of 2000?

Your mission, "should you decide to accept it", is to help Lenny and George find employment in the New California.  You will need to complete several steps to make sure that George and Lenny can survive this most excellent adventure!
 

•  Brainstorming 
•  Research 
•  Presentation 
•  Reflection 

The Process
 

1. Using the Inspiration software, in groups of 3 or 4 as assigned, brainstorm the skills and training George and Lenny had in the 30's - Back at the Ranch, and those they might need to fit into today's labor market.

2. Visit the link sites provided, and 3 other  sources (see evaluation) to learn more about the 1930's,  Steinbeck's California, and the careers of today.

3. From your research, prepare a presentation (see evaluation) on what George and Lenny will need to do to become employed in the 21st century.

4.  Reflect in your journal about what you have learned about careers and job opportunities, and how it could be useful to you. (see evaluation)

Your grade for this project will be a 4 Wheel Drive:  4 Tasks x 4 levels of accomplishment. You can do the math.
 

Activity	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Brainstorming	Use of brainstorming techniques without using Inspiration software	Use of Inspiration software to put ideas into diagram form	Use of Inspiration software in diagram and outline form to plot strategy	Use of Inspiration to outline and organize strategy to display in presentation
Research 1. Links to   internet 2.  Interview family and/or friends 3.  Print media 4. Audio/video materials	Use of one method of research	Use of two methods of research	Use of three methods of research	Use of three research methods and incorporatng it into the presentation.
Presentation	Written report/chart of findings	Oral Report and written transcript of findings	Oral report w/ student generated visual aids	Oral Report w/ computer generated visual aids( PowerPoint, etc.)f performance.
Reflection	Journal entry	Journal entry and 1 suggestion for extended learning	Journal entry and 2 suggestions for extended learning	Journal entry and a project outline for extended learning

There are a number of other issues raised in the novel you might wish to explore:

• Mental Disabilities 
• Homelessness 
• Immigration 
• Adult Care 
• Discrimination 
• And many more ... 

Teacher Note

Service Learning projects could be developed from any of these topics in Direct, Indirect, or Advocacy formats. 

Community Service can arranged for anyone interested in programs relating to these issues.

Character Development activities would fit in this unit.