Animal Farm Interpretation Challenge

Animal Farm Interpretation Challenge

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to create 15 interpretation questions about Animal Farm, revising chapters 1 to 10, suitable for high school students.

Explain the learning objective to the students and emphasize the importance of critical thinking skills.

What do you already know about Animal Farm?

Introduction to Animal Farm

Animal Farm is a novel by George Orwell. It is an allegorical story about a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where the animals can be equal, free, and happy.

Introduce the book and its author to the students, and provide a brief summary of the story.

Chapter 1

In Chapter 1, we are introduced to the farmer and the animals on the farm. The animals are mistreated and overworked, and they dream of a better life.

Summarize the main events of Chapter 1, and encourage students to think about the themes of inequality and oppression.

Chapter 2

In Chapter 2, the animals start to organize themselves and plan a rebellion. They also learn to read and write, which helps them in their cause.

Summarize the main events of Chapter 2, and encourage students to think about the importance of education and communication in bringing about change.

Chapter 3

In Chapter 3, the animals successfully rebel and take over the farm. They create a set of commandments to guide their new society.

Summarize the main events of Chapter 3, and encourage students to think about the challenges of creating a new society and the importance of rules and guidelines.

Chapter 4

In Chapter 4, the pigs start to take control of the farm and make decisions for the other animals. They also start to change the commandments to suit their own interests.

Summarize the main events of Chapter 4, and encourage students to think about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of accountability.

Chapter 5

In Chapter 5, the animals work hard to build a windmill, but it is destroyed by a storm. The pigs blame Snowball, their former leader, for the failure.

Summarize the main events of Chapter 5, and encourage students to think about the use of propaganda and scapegoating to maintain power.

Chapter 6

In Chapter 6, the animals work even harder to rebuild the windmill. Boxer, a strong but simple horse, becomes a symbol of the working class.

Summarize the main events of Chapter 6, and encourage students to think about the exploitation of workers and the importance of solidarity.

Chapter 7

In Chapter 7, the pigs start to resemble the humans they overthrew. They walk on two legs and wear clothes. They also start to trade with other farms.

Summarize the main events of Chapter 7, and encourage students to think about the dangers of becoming the oppressor and the importance of staying true to one's values.

Chapter 8

In Chapter 8, the animals are forced to work harder and harder. They are also executed for supposedly collaborating with Snowball.

Summarize the main events of Chapter 8, and encourage students to think about the use of violence and intimidation to maintain power.

Chapter 9

In Chapter 9, the pigs continue to consolidate their power. They change the commandments again, and the other animals can't remember what the original ones were.

Summarize the main events of Chapter 9, and encourage students to think about the dangers of historical revisionism and the importance of truth.

Chapter 10

In Chapter 10, the pigs become indistinguishable from the humans. The other animals can't tell them apart anymore.

Summarize the main events of Chapter 10, and encourage students to think about the ultimate failure of the revolution and the importance of staying vigilant.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.