Abusing Power: Animal Farm and Wicked History

Lesson 7
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ELA

Unit 3

8th Grade

Lesson 7 of 32

Objective


Draft a paragraph and create a poster that informs classmates about a propaganda technique.

Readings and Materials


  • Article: “11 Red Flags of Gaslighting in a Relationship” by Stephanie A. Sarkis 

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Explain to students that they are going to spend the remainder of class and tomorrow's lesson creating a poster about a specific propaganda technique.

Display the prompt:

Working in small groups, create a poster that educates your classmates about a specific propaganda technique. Additionally, write an informational paragraph summarizing the features of this technique.

  • Name-calling
  • Glittering generalities
  • Euphemisms
  • Transfer
  • Testimonial
  • Plain Folks
  • Bandwagon
  • Fear
  • Unwarranted extrapolation

Your poster and paragraph must include:

  • A definition of this propaganda technique written in your own words
  • Specific aspects/characteristics of this technique
  • The intended impact of this technique
  • Two examples of this technique

Sample Response

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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: Joseph Stalin (A Wicked History) by Sean McCollum  — Chapters 10–12

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What is a "cult of personality"?

  • What did Stalin want people to believe about him?

  • Who was Sergei Kirov? What happened to him?

  • Who were Zinoviev and Kamenev? What happened to them?

  • What was the NKVD?

  • How many people were killed during the Great Terror?

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Common Core Standards


  • W.8.2 — Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content
  • W.8.2.a — Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
  • W.8.2.b — Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
  • W.8.5 — With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.

Supporting Standards

L.8.6
SL.8.1
SL.8.6
W.8.2.c
W.8.2.d
W.8.2.e
W.8.2.f
W.8.4
W.8.5
W.8.6
W.8.8
W.8.9
W.8.10

Next

Identify examples of propaganda and explain how Stalin used them to control the people of the Soviet Union.

Lesson 8
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Lesson Map

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