In a Perfect World... If you were in charge of making ten rules for people in our society to live by and follow, what would they be? In your groups, you have fifteen minutes to come up with ten rules for your perfect society. Write down your final version on a piece of construction paper to be posted on the walls.

April 25, 2012: Journal “Life in the USA would be perfect if…” Think about life here in this country. How do you think it could be perfected and why? Use specific details and reasons.

An old boar whose speech rouses the animals into rebellion. His philosophy is called Animalism. He teaches the animals the song of freedom “Beasts of England.” He is a young boar who becomes one of the rebellion’s most valuable leaders. He draws complicated plans for the windmill.

A porker pig who becomes Napoleon’s mouthpiece. He uses his ability to manipulate the animals. A boar, who with Snowball, leads the rebellion against Jones. He systematically takes over the farm and becomes undisputed tyrant. A tame raven who tells the animals stories about a paradise called Sugarcandy Mountain

A dedicated and hard worker. He keeps believing that hard work solves all problems. He is sort of dimwitted. A motherly horse who tries to take care of Boxer and who silently questions Napoleon’s decisions.

A cynical, pessimistic donkey who continually undercuts the animals’ enthusiasm. A vain horse who prefers ribbons and sugar over ideas and rebellion. She is eventually lured off the farm.

April 27, 2012: Journal

Think back to our last class when your group had to decide on ten laws for society. Was this difficult? Why or why not? Give specific details/information from the discussion that took place in your groups.

As you walk around... TT hink about what most of the sets of laws have in common. HH ow would you feel if you lived in a society with these laws?

 The story takes place on a farm in England.  Narrator is from third person omniscient perspective  The action begins when the oldest pig on the farm, Old Major, calls all the animals to a secret meeting. He tells them of his dream of revolution against the cruel Mr. Jones.  The pigs, being considered the most intelligent, begin to instruct the other animals.

Vocabulary: ensconced: established falter: hesitate dissentients: those who rebel (dissent) or oppose enmity: hatred preeminent: worthy of respect vivacious: full of life

Vocabulary: apathy: attitude of disinterest; "I don't care." gamboled: skipped, hopped, leaped about spinney: a thicket, thorny bush acute: sharp senses, highly aware parasitical: dependent upon others shirked: avoided work

Russian Revolution ldXUyCaeQ&feature=related

1.Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. 2.Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings is a friend. 3.No animal shall wear clothes. 4.No animal shall sleep in a bed. 5.No animal shall drink alcohol. 6.No animal shall kill another animal. 7.All animals are equal.

The story ends with a new version of the original slogan and one simple commandment. New Version: Four legs good, two legs better. THE NEW AND FINAL COMMANDMENT “ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS.”

May 1, 2012: Journal One of Old Major’s last pieces of wisdom is “All animals are comrades.” The animals turn this into “All animals are equal.” What problems might arise in a society with enforced “equality for all”? How would you handle those problems?

Journal Check Scoring: Full page with stamp in upper right= 5 pts Full page w/ stamp in middle or upper left = 4 pts ¾ page with stamp in the middle= 3 pts ½ page with stamp in upper left=2 pts

May 2, 2012: Journal Look at the rules presented on page 43. Are they reasonable/fair? Why or why not? Be specific in examining/analyzing particular rules you think are, or are not, fair.

Vocabulary: obstinate: stubborn cryptic: difficult to understand indefatigable: untiring maxim: a saying, a proverb ignominious: shameful posthumously: after death factions: a party that breaks off from the main group dynamo: a hard-working machine, or a machine-like person who never rests

May 3, 2012: Journal What makes a poor leader? What makes a good leader? Be specific and provide examples from your life and/or from history.

The often drunk owner of Manor Farm, later expelled by the animals. The farmer’s wife who flees from the farm after the rebellion. The dogs and their puppies raised to be Napoleon’s guard dogs.

A solicitor hired by Napoleon to act as an intermediary in Animal Farm’s trading with other farms. The owner of Foxwood, another farm. He eventually sells some of his land to Napoleon. An enemy of Pilkington and owner of Pinchfield, another farm. Known for driving hard bargains, he swindles Napoleon. He later attacks the farm but is defeated.

May 4, 2012: Journal FREE WRITE FRIDAY!

emboldened: give courage to; made brave filial: relation between a child and parent inebriates: drunkards conciliatory: showing good-will; peace-making pretext: a reason for doing something in order to cover up true purpose; excuse tumult: commotion retinue: those accompanying someone important or high-ranking shrewd: clever; cunning cynical: bitterly mocking; pessimistic

1. What happens to Animal Farm in early October? How do the animals react to this threat? 2. What is the only animal casualty in the “Battle of the Cowshed”? Why does Boxer feel bad after the battle? 3.What are the animals fighting for in the “Battle of the Cowshed”? Do they understand exactly what they are fighting for? Why or why not?

May 8, 2012: Journal Relate the following quote(s) to Animal Farm using specific examples from what we have read so far: “He who dares not speak his free thoughts is a slave.” -Euripedes “Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” -P.J. O’Rourke

Some side information... Medal of Honor: most prestigious award among all of US military awards; highest honor, awarded to officers and enlisted personnel alike for individual acts of bravery in combat Purple Heart: the oldest military decoration in the world still in use, is awarded to those wounded or killed as a result of engaging the enemy while serving in the U.S. military.

1. What reasons do the pigs give for beginning trade with other farms? Do you think this will be a good idea? 2. What is the significance of the pigs moving into the farmhouse? What reasons do the pigs tell the other animals? 3. Why does Napoleon blame the destruction of the windmill on Snowball?

1.Why does Mollie leave Animal Farm? 2.Summarize the different views and plans of Snowball and Napoleon. 3.What is your opinion of the changes Napoleon makes on the farm? 4.What kinds of propaganda can you see in chapter 4 and 5. What is the goal of the propaganda? Is it effective? Why or why not?

May 9, 2012: Journal “For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery.” -Jonathan Swift In connecting this quote to Animal Farm, who is the “government” and who is the “governed?” If Swift read this book, what would he say about the situation on the farm? Refer to specific examples from the text.

May 10, 2012: Journal When rules/laws are created and set for all to follow, is it ever okay to bend them for someone? Think of some examples when bending the rules for someone would be acceptable. Do you think any of the rules being bent in the book were altered with good reason?

1. Why does Napoleon begin to blame every bad thing on Snowball? What effect does this have on the other animals? 2. Why do you think some of the animals confess to crimes? Do you believe they committed these crimes? What effect do the executions have on the other animals? 3. What reasons does Squealer give for forbidding Beasts of England? Why do you think Beasts of England is really forbidden?

Theme The Search for Meaning

What is a Theme? Theme: Life lesson, meaning, moral, or message about life or human nature that is communicated by a literary work. In other words… Theme is what the story teaches readers.

Themes A theme is not a word, it is a sentence. You don’t have to agree with the theme to identify it. Examples Money can’t buy happiness. Don’t judge people based on the surface. It is better to die free than live under tyranny.

Big World of the Theme. Applies to the “Real” World. Identifying Themes Themes are not explicit (clearly stated). Themes are implied. Themes are bigger than the story. Small World of the Story

Themes are about the big picture. Not “Jellyfish are dangerous.” Not “Sharks and small fish can never be friends. Think BIGGER. Find “Real” World advice. Small World of the Story

Review 1.Theme is what we can learn from a story. 2.Themes must be inferred. 3.Themes are about the world and make connections to a universal lesson, not just what a character learns.

1. What reasons do the pigs give for beginning trade with other farms? Do you think this will be a good idea? 2. What is the significance of the pigs moving into the farmhouse? What reasons do the pigs tell the other animals? 3. Why does Napoleon blame the destruction of the windmill on Snowball?

May 11, 2012: Journal Free Write Friday!

Chapter 8: Due 5/14 1.Describe the new ways Napoleon sets himself apart from the other animals. What does this remind you of? 2.What happens when Napoleon tries to sell the woodpile? 3.How do the pigs feel about the Battle of the Windmill? How do the other animals feel? 4.What do you think is the significance of the last "human behavior" commandment being changed?

Citing a Book Last name of author, First name. Title. City: Publisher, Year Published. Print.

1. Why does Napoleon begin to blame every bad thing on Snowball? What effect does this have on the other animals? 2. Why do you think some of the animals confess to crimes? Do you believe they committed these crimes? What effect do the executions have on the other animals? 3. What reasons does Squealer give for forbidding Beasts of England? Why do you think Beasts of England is really forbidden?

May 14, 2012: Journal The sixth commandment is modified in chapter 8 to “No animal shall kill another animal without cause.” Under what circumstances, if any, is it morally right to sentence someone to death? How would you argue with someone who disagreed with you on your answer?

Chapter Eight: 1.Describe the new ways Napoleon sets himself apart from the other animals. What does this remind you of? 2.What happens when Napoleon tries to sell the woodpile? 3.How do the pigs feel about the Battle of the Windmill? How do the other animals feel? 4.What do you think is the significance of the last "human behavior" commandment being changed?

May 15, 2012: Journal In your opinion, what events in the book so far has been the most shocking? In looking at your own life, write about an event or time in your life you experienced a great shock/unexpected news. How did you react? How did you deal with it?

Chapter 9: Due 5/15 1.Why does Napoleon begin holding many celebrations and Spontaneous Demonstrations? 2. What does Moses the raven represent? Why does he return now? 3. Why does Napoleon send Boxer to the knacker instead of the hospital?

May 16, 2012: Journal We are our own worse critics. Think about your strengths and your struggles when it comes to writing. What do you feel you do well in regards to writing? In what areas do you feel you can improve? What fears or worries or frustrations do you encounter when you try to write?

Just or Not: Cost of Death Penalty Is a Killer for State Budgets

May 17, 2012: Journal In discussing recent changes in society, Alex Campbell shares, “ progress has come to mean simply more power, more profit... which are concerned only with size or magnitude rather than quality or excellence.” Do you think it reflects reality? How does this quote relate to the book?

Embedding Quotes 1. “For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery” (Swift, p. 12) 2. “For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery” -Jonathon Swift, Pg 12. Describes people with governments as slaves who are not free.

May 18, 2012: Journal FREE WRITE FRIDAY!

Chapter 10: Due 5/18 1. At the beginning of the chapter, how do the animals feel about Animalism? 2. What is life like on the farm? 3. What does it mean that the pigs have now learned to walk on two legs? 4. What is the new commandment? What does it mean? 5. What do you think the moral of this fable is?