Abusing Power: Animal Farm and Wicked History

Lesson 11
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 3

8th Grade

Lesson 11 of 32

Objective


Identify specific events and lines of dialogue that reveal character traits, and explain the impact of events on the plot of Animal Farm.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Animal Farm by George Orwell  — Chapter 2 (pp. 15–26)

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

What specific events or lines of dialogue in this chapter reveal Snowball and Napoleon as the emerging leaders of Animal Farm? Select at least two pieces of evidence and explain how each demonstrates their leadership.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • How does the event of the rebellion change the animals' perspectives on their lives? CIte evidence from Chapter 2 that shows this change in perspective and explain its significance.

  • What is the difference between Mollie's perspective of the revolution and Boxer's perspective of the revolution? Cite at least two pieces of evidence from Chapter 2 and explain how they demonstrate this difference.

  • What is significant about the final line of the chapter, "when they came back in the evening it was noticed that the milk had disappeared"? (p. 26) What can be inferred from this line? Provide examples from the text to support your thinking.

Exit Ticket

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

Vocabulary


Text-based

devoted

adj.

(p. 17)

dedicated to something, like a person or a cause

Root/Affix

mal-

(p. 20)

bad or evil

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  — Chapters 3–4 (pp. 27–44)

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What challenges do the animals face during their first harvest?

  • What successes do they have during their first harvest?

  • What are Boxer's primary character traits? Provide examples from this chapter.

  • What happens when the pigs try to teach the other animals to read?

  • What do the animals learn about the missing milk? How do they respond?

  • Who are Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Frederick?

  • How do human beings pretend to feel about Animal Farm? How do they really feel?

  • What happens when the humans try to take back the farm?

Notes for Teachers

Chapter 4 contains references to Mr. Jones's alcoholism and to animals and humans getting wounded or dying in battle. Preview today's reading with students. 

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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.

Supporting Standards

L.8.4
L.8.4.b
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

Next

Identify the actions that various animals take to develop, support, and defend Animal Farm, and explain what these actions reveal about their characters.

Lesson 12
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