Abusing Power: Animal Farm and Wicked History

Lesson 26
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ELA

Unit 3

8th Grade

Lesson 26 of 32

Objective


Demonstrate a deep understanding of the texts and topics in a Socratic Seminar 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 

  • Movie: Animal Farm 

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A Note for Teachers


As a part of intellectual preparation, revisit student answers in the Anticipation Guide (G8, Lit U3, L1), paying particular attention to questions 2, 6, 9, and 10 to prepare for the Target Task and Key Questions. Based on student responses, determine how to guide students through the conversations related to today's lesson.

Key Questions


Discussion Questions

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

  • What is propaganda and how can it be used as a tool of social control?

  • By the end of Animal Farm, were the animals better off than when Mr. Jones ran the farm? Why or why not? Use examples from history and from Animal Farm to support your thinking.

  • How have societies tried to solve the problem of inequality throughout history, and what were the results?

Homework


Lesson 27 is a writing lesson. There is no assigned reading in preparation for tomorrow.

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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

Next

Unpack a Writing Prompt and begin to gather evidence for a literary analysis essay.

Lesson 27
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