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Course Description

The featured classic novel for this course is Animal Farm, by George Orwell. Written in 1945, Animal Farm is an allegorical novella that is a humorous fable for all ages with a serious side. This novel has a hidden political message that describe the rise of communism and the resulting oppressive reign of terror brought about by Joseph Stalin following the Russian Revolution. Orwell described this literary creation as his first attempt "to fuse political purpose and artistic purpose into one whole." 

Despite Orwell’s serious underlying messages, the book is a light and somewhat humorous fable that unites a mistreated group of barnyard animals who stage a revolt that “deposes” the despotic farmer, chasing him off the farm, and leaving the animals to govern themselves. The story that unfolds shows how the animals struggle with each other for control of the farm contains lessons for all ages.

This is a cross-curricular course covering not just literature, but history and government as well. As students unravel Orwell’s hidden messages during the barnyard animals’ quest for freedom and equality, students will learn about the failure of Socialist ideals in Russia, class structures, the plight of the worker, government use of propaganda to control citizens, and the dangers of ignoring a government that is becoming too controlling of its citizens.

Studying this classic work of literature will help students:

-Increase their vocabulary;
-Understand and identify elements of a plot; 
-Identify themes; 
-Use of symbolism
-How authors develop characters; 
-Using textual evidence to infer meaning;
-Syntax (the proper order of words in a phrase or sentence);
-How figurative language and other literary devices are used to enhance the reading experience.

All my classes are interactive where students are encouraged to ask questions, make observations, and share their thoughts and opinions. In other words, talking is welcome and expected! Classes are discussion based for an open exchange of ideas about the novel and how each student interprets it. Classes will include PowerPoint lectures, watching the movie version of the novel (outside of class), in-class assignments, in-class discussions, some assignments for homework to do while they read, and, of course, reading.

Time magazine chose Animal Farm as one of the top 100 best English-language novels (1923 to 2005); it also landed #31 on the Modern Library List of Best 20th Century Books.

An overview of each class:

Lesson 1: An introduction to our author, George Orwell and his classic, Animal Farm, will be covered in lesson 1. This class will include reviewing the author's biography, his style of writing, a vocabulary list pertinent to the next assigned reading, a brief summary of the book's plot, addressing potential themes, and cross-curricular learning opportunities (English, history, and government) for students to watch for as they read. 

Lesson 2: This lesson will cover chapters 1-3. Included will be the vocabulary and the exposition elements of the novel (characters, setting, historical context, inciting incident, identification of the protagonist, etc). For each weeks assigned reading of the novel, the class will discuss and identify any symbolism and literary devices used by the author. 

Lesson 3: This lesson will cover chapters 4-7. We will address vocabulary, rising action, character development, and more. In addition to the topics above, themes of the novel that will be discussed. 

Lesson 4: This lesson covers chapters 8-10. We will address vocabulary, climax, falling action, resolution, character development, and wrap-up with analysis of story themes.

IMPORTANT

A copy of the book is required. The edition we will be working with is: The Illustrated Animal Farm: The Illustrated Edition (Penguin Classics), $12.24. Please get the recommend edition! When students are working off different editions, it wastes a great deal of class time as we skip around during the study of the novel. 

I have included the link to the book on Amazon below:

https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Farm-Illustrated-Anniversary-Classics/dp/024119668X/ref=sr_1_4?crid=358QC1T2T5NX4&dchild=1&keywords=animal+farm+by+george+orwell+75th+anniversary&qid=1607003841&sprefix=animal+farm+by+george+orwell+anniversary+%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-4



***Look for my other "College Prep Must-Read Book Series" selections available NOW on Outschool: 
      --Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451,"
      --Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea."
   Coming soon:
      --F. Scott Fitzgerald's "This Side of Paradise."
   ...and more. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!***