'Animal Farm': reading and discussing Chapter 1
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the events of Chapter 1 and recognise emerging themes.
Key learning points
- Mr Jones is the drunk and reckless owner of the farm.
- Old Major is a well respected boar. He represents a challenge to authority and dominant ideology
- Old Major uses rhetoric effectively to influence the animals.
- Powers and hierarchical structures are already beginning to emerge. The pigs have more authority.
Keywords
Hierarchy - A hierarchy is where people or things are ranked with reference to status or authority.
Oppression - Oppression occurs when individuals or groups of people are unfairly treated and controlled by those in power.
Ideology - An ideology is a system of ideas, values or beliefs.
Privileged - If you are privileged you are seen to have special rights or advantages over others.
Common misconception
That the animals are always equal, even from the very start.
Focus on the positioning of the animals and how they enter the barn. Orwell is already beginning to make distinctions between the animals.
Teacher tip
When reading the text try different reading strategies, for example, "control the game". Select students at random to read, jumping from pupil to pupil after small sections.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which revolution is 'Animal Farm' based on?
Q2.What device beginning with 'A' describes how 'Animal Farm' is written?
Q3.Which system is described as: an economic system that encourages profit making and private ownership of business and resources?
Q4.George Orwell was a democratic socialist which meant that....
Q5.The main goal of Marxism is....
Q6.Which three best describe Orwell's motivation in writing 'Animal Farm'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'Animal Farm', what is the name of the song the animals learn to sing?
Q2.In 'Animal Farm', what term does Old Major use to address the animals?
Q3.In 'Animal Farm', what does Old Major claim is the source of the animals' misery?
Q4.What is significant about the "raised platform" and where the pigs position themselves in chapter 1 of 'Animal Farm'?
Q5.Complete this quote from chapter 1 of 'Animal Farm': "Man is the only creature that__________".
Q6.What is Orwell foreshadowing in Chapter 1 of 'Animal Farm'?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'Animal Farm': reading and discussing Chapter 1, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: 'Animal Farm': reading and discussing Chapter 1, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Animal Farm: the pigs and power unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.