OF MICE AND MEN BACKGROUND NOTES WHAT ARE

OF MICE AND MEN BACKGROUND NOTES

WHAT ARE INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES? � The definition used most often in the U. S. is from the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). According to AAIDD, an IDD is a disability that occurs before age 18. It is characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills. It is diagnosed through the use of standardized tests of intelligence and adaptive behavior. AAIDD points out that both functioning and adaptive behavior are affected positively by individualized supports. AAIDD, (formerly AAMR -- American Association on Mental Retardation) is the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization of professionals and citizens concerned

INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: � Lower intelligence and limited skills Conceptual skills: reading/writing; money �→ �→ Social skills: friendships; responsibility; rules (written and unwritten) �→ �→ Practical skills: eating; hygiene �→ �→

GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S �Migrant workers: Move from place to make money Construction, mining, farming Mostly men –some as young as 14 Earned $2. 50 -3. 00/day New Deal programs –find work through agencies

GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S (CONTINUED) �Dialect: Reflection of time, place, educational background and social status TIME: 1920 -30’s: tart 1950’s: neato 1960’s: groovy 1970’s: far out 1980’s: rad 1990’s: phat 2000’s: snap – dog PLACE: Northeast: soda – sneakers Midwest: pop – tennis shoes South: Coke – y’all

GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S (CONTINUED) Dialect (continued): Reflection of time, place, educational background and social status EDUCATIONAL: SOCIAL STATUS: amount of education (schooling) at this time, working was more important than going to school born into the “right” family (with money) manners; larger vocabulary words: not appropriate for an educated person to use not for shock value for artistry; realistic

GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S (CONTINUED) � The Great Depression began on October 24, 1929 with the crash of the stock market. � The state of the Union was very low. � There were no jobs to be had and those who had jobs were losing them. � The value of the dollar was almost zero. � In order to obtain goods, people had to barter or trade.

GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S (CONTINUED) 1933 1928 Hoover was elected President Economy begins to recover Federal Emergency Relief Act Farm Relief Act Home Owners’ Loan Act Farm Credit Act 1929 1933 Adolf Hitler named Chancellor of Germany October 24, “Black Thursday” 1932 Emergency Relief and Construction Act 1932 Franklin D. Roosevelt defeats Hoover to become President 1934 Securities Exchange Commission Act Federal Farm Bankruptcy Act 1935 Farm Credit Act Social Security Act Soil Conservation Act

GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S (CONTINUED) � The Great Depression ended when the US joined forces in WWII in 1941. � FDR was elected to serve 4 terms in office, but died in his last term and therefore did not serve the entire 4 terms. � FDR is best known for the New Deal Era (the implementation of government social services).

GREAT DEPRESSION 1920’S-30’S (CONTINUED) � Think about: � Why did the joining of the war end the depression? � What is so important about the Acts that were passed in the above timeline? � Who and what are they meant to serve and help?

OF MICE AND MEN � Setting: � on a ranch (farm) in the town of Soledad; on the Salinas River in California; � 1929 -1930 s= Great Depression

OF MICE AND MEN � Author: John Steinbeck Born: 1902 in Salinas, CA � Education: went to Stanford University (CA) � � Never graduated – dropped out � Couldn’t choose one area of study 1935 -Tortilla Flat: 1 st book to make money � 1937 -Of Mice and Men: best seller � 1939 - Grapes of Wrath: most popular/about the dust bowl � 1962 - wins Nobel Prize for Literature � Writing: focused on people � Died: 1968 �

WESTERN UNITED STATES