Unit of Study for the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell

George Orwell’s Animal Farm can be read on many levels and is an appropriate text to teach with any 9^th grade English class.  While the novel is a parallel critique of the Russian Revolution, the themes present can be applied to many governments throughout history, as well as other political organizations. 

This novel shows how people in charge manipulate those that work under them, and how they play upon people’s fears of the unknown to keep them under control.   It also shows how power corrupts, as the abused and neglected animals that take over the farm turn into the very leaders they despised—the humans.

The lessons presented here do not examine this novel in the context of the Russian Revolution.  They do focus on the key concepts and ideas expressed in this political satire.  Each lesson can be adapted for a short 40-50 minute class period, or extended to fit block scheduling.  While the lessons are presented in a three-week format, the final assignment of the "Animal Farm Newsletter" would require an additional week if each lesson was to be completed.

Each lesson presented has a basic outline and resources given.  The two final assignments, "Character Profile" and "Animal Farm Newsletter" are presented more fully.  These lessons provide a handout for students, as well as an evaluation rubric.