Abusing Power: Animal Farm and Wicked History

Lesson 12
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ELA

Unit 3

8th Grade

Lesson 12 of 32

Objective


Explain the impact of different propaganda techniques the pigs use in Animal Farm.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Animal Farm by George Orwell  — Chapters 3-4

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does Squealer use the propaganda techniques of fear and transfer in his speech on pages 35–36? Provide at least two pieces of quoted textual evidence and explain how it demonstrates this technique. Use the word "manipulate" in your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • How are the pigs different from the other animals in their behavior, characteristics, and privileges? Find at least four examples from today’s reading.

  • In what ways are the pigs’ actions counter to the tenets of Animalism? Carefully explain your thinking. 

  • How has the establishment of Animal Farm impacted other animals around the countryside? Provide specific examples from chapter 4 to support your answer.

Discussion Questions

  • What are your reactions to the behavior and propaganda techniques used by the pigs in these chapters? Does it change your perspective of them?

Exit Ticket

Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

Vocabulary


Text-based

toil

n.

(p. 27)

hard work

(verb): work hard

manipulate

v.

to control or influence a person/situation, usually in a way that is unfair

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Book: Animal Farm by George Orwell  — Chapter 5

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What happens to Mollie?

  • How would you describe the relationship between Snowball and Napoleon?

  • What does Snowball want to build on Animal Farm?

  • How does Napoleon respond to this idea?

  • What do Napoleon's dogs do to Snowball?

  • How do the animals respond to this?

  • What does Napoleon claim was his idea originally?

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.8.3 — Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
  • RL.8.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

Supporting Standards

L.8.6
RL.8.1
RL.8.2
RL.8.10
SL.8.1
SL.8.6
W.8.1
W.8.1.a
W.8.1.b
W.8.4
W.8.9
W.8.9.a
W.8.10
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Lesson 13

Lesson Map

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