Animal Farm Lit Study + D&D Adventure Club

Learners will engage in a literature study combined with the social club of a Dungeons & Dragons TTRPG that puts them in the heart of the story. They'll explore what life was like under authoritarianism, how society can influence itself for good or evil, and try to overthrow a dictator to create a more fair and equitable land!

Classes will be presented in a small group of 4-7 learners. Learners will be encouraged to discuss their work and collaborate. Literature assignments are the first priority. If we are behind, we will forego gameplay to get clarification on concepts in the literature. Slides will be used to encourage learner discussion. 

The first 30-45 minutes of the lesson will be planned for literature study, and the remaining 45-60 minutes will be gameplay that lets the learners experience the story. 

Learners will complete an RPG Consent form before we begin gameplay so that the teacher and other students know which topics are off-limits (gory violence, spiders, etc.). Learners will, in addition to the practice in writing, reading, and communication skills, be doing conditional math and using logic and critical thinking as they level up their characters, and use the skills their characters have learned and weapons they've found to progress in their adventure. 

In traditional D&D games, players earn XP and level up by accomplishing things in the game (fighting an enemy, being clever in their role-playing, finding clues, etc.). In my campaigns, students gain XP by turning in assignments. I apply the points of their assigned work to their character to encourage them to keep up with their work (otherwise their character may not be up to snuff when they encounter the big bad evil guy). Since these learners are more mature, I trust them to complete their work. 

Learners who reach level 5 characters (all assignments complete with a letter grade of A or B), will receive a digital creation of their character designed by the teacher using Hero Forge, as a reward for their hard work over the semester.

Week 1 - Vocab 1-3, Read 1-3, Writing Assignment #1 (Seven Commandments)
Week 2 - Vocab 4-6, Read 4-6, Writing Assignment #2 (Persuasion)
Week 3 - Vocab 7-8, Read 7-8, Group Discussion
Week 4 - Vocab 9-10, Read 9-10, Test Review
Week 5 - Unit Test