project

Animal Farm

Group Research and Presentation

Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to help you understand multiple ways of

interpreting, analyzing, and thinking about George Orwell's novel, Animal Farm.

Requirements: Your group of 3-4 students will be assigned one of the 5 roles from the

scenarios section, and must research its position by using various resources. After

finding information and organizing it, each group will present a 10-15 minute lesson to the

class. Your lesson must include the following:

1.      A visual aid (powerpoint, graph, charts, pictures, poster, etc.) to enhance your

presentation.

2.      A handout that gives an overview of the information you will cover. This can

be done in bullet or outline format. The handout should also include a

separate section on how your information is relevant to the novel. You should

include at least 2 different concrete details from the novel that tie into your research.

3.      A short quiz on the most relevant information you have presented with an

answer key.

You may also want to bring in props, costumes, or music to enhance your lesson. Each

member of your group must play a role in the presentation of this information.

Scenarios:

Group 1: The Pigs (Military Tactics)

You are very interested in military tactics, as you feel that they can help you with

controlling others (humans or animals) at Animal Farm. Devise a plan for dealing with

Mr. Jones and other humans (or any beasts that have turned against you), in case they try

to reclaim the farm again. You might be curious about the person Napoleon is named after....

Group 2: Benjamin (Russian Revolution)

You may be a donkey, but you've lived a long time-long enough to be skeptical about

what is happening at Animal Farm. You also believe that there is nothing worth reading

these days. You remember reading about the Russian Revolution of 1917 some years back,

however, and that was somewhat interesting. Try to gather the information again so you

can let the other animals know about it. At least it might be worth telling to your old

friend, Boxer.

Group 3: Mr. Jones (Historical connections)

You feel scared, as simple farm animals have taken over Manor Farm, which used to

belong to you and you alone. How could they have done this? As you're at your favorite

pub, you overhear other farmers talking about you and your animals. They're saying

something about how they seem to be acting very much like people.... Take notes on how

your animals could be like actual humans in history so that you can tell your wife about what was said. You should include, but are not limited to the following animals: Old

Major, Moses, Snowball, Napoleon, Boxer, Squealer, Mollie, Pigs, Dogs, and pigeons.

Group 4: Muriel and Clover (Laws and government)

Although the two of you are a little older, it may also make you a little wiser. Since

Muriel is skilled at reading, perhaps she can check on what the Seven Commandments

are again. Because a lot of the other animals may have trouble understanding what each

commandment means, perhaps Clover can explain them better, as she has a good

relationship with many of the animals. You might also want to look at other sets of rules,

perhaps ones set up by other governments (American). How can those rules be changed?

Should the Seven Commandments allow for change? Be sure to let the other animals

know if you notice anything suspicious.

Group 5: Mollie and Moses (Utopian society)

Sugarcandy Mountain is important to both of you: Moses appreciates it because it is the

perfect place where all animals go after they die; and Mollie, because, well, it has the

word "sugar" in it. If Sugarcandy Mountain is a perfect place, research something else

that is a perfect place. Who came up with the idea? Do people believe a perfect society

can exist? Be sure to support your answer with facts so that the other animals won't

ignore you when you try to persuade them to believe that your opinions are correct.

Research links:

Resources for the novel

http://students.ou.edu/C/Kara.C.Chiodo-1/orwell.html#AnimalFarm

http://www.novelguide.com/animalfarm/

Resources for the Russian Revolution

http://www.barnsdle.demon.co.uk/russ/rusrev.html

Resources for the American Constitution

http://www.constitutionfacts.com/

http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/constitution/amendment_process.html