ENGLISH/LIBRARY PROJECT

The Of Mice and Men Packet

DISABILITIES

Objective: You will be using print and online materials to find information on a
mental/physical disability.

The Project: Write a one-page letter to Mr. Scherer explaining Lenny’s disorder so that
he might be able to help accommodate Lenny in his class. Although in the story Lenny is
physically challenged, you can write about one of the following (or choose your own):

Diabetes Bipolar Disorder Dyslexia

Anxiety Disorder Asthma Asperger’s Syndrome
Attention Deficit Disorder Anorexia Epilepsy
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Narcolepsy Tourette’s Syndrome

What will I turn in?

• Of Mice and Men Packet

• Notes from the book / electronic source written in the Of Mice and Men Guide

• Letter to Mr. Scherer

• Bibliography of the materials used to write the letter (altogether one print source and
one electronic source per person)

Day 1: Today you will need to:

• Use the online catalog to find at least one print resource on your subject.
• The book can be from the reference section or from non-fiction.
• Use the keyword that best describes the disorder:
i.e. keyword: dyslexia broader term: learning disability

Keyword:_________________________________

• What is the call number of the book that is most helpful? ___________________
• Take notes in the Scarlet Ibis Study Guide
 Of Mice and Men Study Guide:
Bibliography Information: If you have any questions, please visit our website for more information:
http://www.pleasanton.k12.ca.us/avhsweb/library/WorksCited.html

Description of the
condition:

How might these

conditions affect
Lenny in the
classroom?

Based on what you

have read, what
can a teacher do
to help Lenny be
more successful in
the classroom?

ENGLISH/LIBRARY PROJECT
THE SCARLET IBIS
Disabilities

Day 2:
Find one article about your disability in one of the following online magazine indexes.
Then take notes about your disability. Add this information to the information you found
in the books and write your letter to Lenny’s teacher.

SIRS (articles about social issues)

GALE (Student Resource Center- Health module)

Provide other keywords you see in the databases:

_____________________________________________________________

123 Fake Rd.

Pleasanton, CA

October 18, 2010

1155 Santa Rita Rd.

Pleasanton, CA

Dear Mr. Scherer:

Paragraph 1: Introduce why you are writing. For example, “I am writing on behalf
of Lenny who …..”

Paragraph 2: Describe what happens when someone has the disorder. What are the
symptoms and how does the disorder affect how a person lives?

Paragraphs 3 & 4: Let me know how I can help Lenny feel safe and be successful in
my class.

Paragraph 5: Thank me for helping Lenny be successful.

Sincerely,

Joe Student

Letter-Writing : Of Mice and Men

Teacher Name: Mr. Scherer

Student Name: ________________________________________

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Salutation and Salutation and Salutation and Salutation and Salutation and/or
Closing closing have no closing have 1-2 closing have 3 or closing are
errors in errors in more errors in missing.
capitalization and capitalization and capitalization and
punctuation. punctuation. punctuation.
Grammar & Writer makes no Writer makes 1-2 Writer makes 3-4 Writer makes
spelling errors in grammar errors in grammar errors in grammar more than 4 errors
(conventions) or spelling. and/or spelling. and/or spelling in grammar and/or
spelling.

Neatness Letter is typed, Letter is typed Letter is hand- Letter is not typed
clean, not and is easy to written and is and looks like it
wrinkled, and is read. It may have crumpled or had been shoved
easy to read with 1-2 distracting slightly stained. It in a pocket or
no distracting error corrections. may have 1-2 locker. It may
error corrections. It was done with distracting error have several
It was done with care. corrections. It distracting error
pride. was done with corrections. It
some care. looks like it was
done in a hurry or
stored improperly.
Content Accuracy The letter The letter The letter The letter contains
contains at least 5 contains 3-4 contains 1-2 no accurate facts
accurate facts accurate facts accurate facts about the topic.
about the topic. about the topic. about the topic.

Format Complies with all Complies with Complies with Complies with
the requirements almost all the several of the less than 75% of
for a business requirements for requirements for the requirements
letter. a business letter. a business letter. for a business
letter.