Abusing Power: Animal Farm and Wicked History

Lesson 26
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ELA

Unit 3

8th Grade

Lesson 26 of 32

Objective


Engage in a Socratic Seminar with peers, demonstrating a deep understanding of the text and topic by posing and responding to questions and providing evidence to support ideas.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Joseph Stalin (A Wicked History) by Sean McCollum 

  • Book: Animal Farm by George Orwell 

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Key Questions


Discussion Questions

  • Does Orwell believe that a successful communist revolution is possible under the right conditions?

  • How does having power influence a person’s character and behavior?

  • Which of the following was more important in Napoleon maintaining control of Animal Farm: propaganda or violence?

  • By the end of the text, were the animals better off than when Mr. Jones ran the farm?

  • Why did the animals continue to believe Squealer’s lies, even as they became more obvious?

  • Is this book still relevant today?

Notes


  • Decide which Type of Academic Discourse you want to use in this lesson. We recommend a table-group discussion, fishbowl, or whole-class discussion. Then, choose which of this lesson’s Discussion Questions you are going to have students answer. Consider how much discussion time will be devoted to each question. 
  • Create clear expectations for the discussion and student groups (if necessary). Additionally, decide what discourse strategies you will model for students to ensure that students are able to effectively engage with one another (for guidance, see our Teacher Tool about Tiers of Academic Discourse).

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Common Core Standards


  • SL.8.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
  • SL.8.1.a — Come to discussions prepared, having read or researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion.
  • SL.8.1.c — Pose questions that connect the ideas of several speakers and respond to others' questions and comments with relevant evidence, observations, and ideas.
  • SL.8.4 — Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

Supporting Standards

L.8.6
RI.8.1
RL.8.1
SL.8.1.b
SL.8.6
W.8.9
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Lesson 25

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Lesson 27

Lesson Map

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