Abusing Power: Animal Farm and Wicked History

Lesson 13
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ELA

Unit 3

8th Grade

Lesson 13 of 32

Objective


Explain how George Orwell has interpreted individuals and events from the Russian Revolution and portrayed them in his allegorical text, Animal Farm.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Animal Farm by George Orwell  pp. 45 – 58 — Chapter 5

  • Book: Joseph Stalin (A Wicked History) by Sean McCollum  — Chapter 6 (pp. 44–49) & Chapter 7 (pp. 52–56)

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How does Napoleon maintain control over the other animals on Animal Farm in Chapter 5? How is this similar to the way that Stalin maintained control over the people of the Soviet Union? Provide at least one piece of evidence each from Animal Farm and Joseph Stalin (A Wicked History) to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • Which aspect of Stalin's regime does the windmill in Animal Farm represent? Cite evidence from each text to support your thinking. (Animal Farm)

  • Which aspect of Stalin's regime do the dogs in Animal Farm represent? Cite evidence from each text to support your thinking. (Animal Farm)

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  pp. 59 – 71 — Chapter 6

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What does Napoleon say that the hens may have to do? Why?

  • Who is Mr. Whymper?

  • Where have the pigs moved? What reason do they give for this move?

  • Whom or what does Napoleon blame for the destruction of the windmill?

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.8.1 — Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
  • RL.8.1 — Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
  • 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.8.6
RL.7.9
RL.8.1
RL.8.2
RL.8.4
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

Explain how the pigs use propaganda techniques to manipulate the other animals and how Orwell reveals this to the reader.

Lesson 14
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