power

March 7, 2014

Big Idea: Power

E.Q. What inspired the novel 1984?

Obj: I can understand multiple perspectives of the novel.

BREAKING NEWS!!!

There are new rules for the class today.

STRICTLY NO TALKING, UNLESS YOU RAISE YOUR HAND.

NO EATING.

NO CELL PHONES - I WILL CONFISCATE IMMEDIATELY IF SEEN.

YOU WILL START CLASS WITH 20 POINTS.

EACH TIME YOU BREAK A RULE YOU LOSE 1 POINT.

DON'T RUN OUT OF POINTS!

Vocabulary:

Big Brother

Doublethink

Thoughtcrime

Newspeak

Starter:

Based on Winston's description of Oceania, what does the world look like in 1984.

Create an illustration.

Activity:

1.  What do you think inspired George Orwell to write this novel?

Today you will research the history of Great Britain during the early 1900's.

Numbering off by 5's you will be assigned a decade.

1900-1910

1910-1920

1920-1930

1930-1940

1940-1950

What significant events took place?

Who had the power?

Present this information to the class using some type of visual.

2.  Put yourself in Winston’s situation.

Imagine you have just started your secret diary. After you have scribbled

“DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER”

 numerous times, been accosted by the Parsons children, and been told the chocolate ration is reduced, you sit down in order to begin writing a meaningful entry into your diary.

When Winston first begins to write, he believes that he is writing for the future, for the people who will live after the reign of Big Brother, after the end of INGSOC.

Imagine what kind of information you, as Winston, want to preserve for the future. Which descriptions, facts, and events do you need to include in your diary to enable future generations to understand the way of life in 1984? What advice and what warnings do you want to write down in order to ensure that the age of Big Brother will never be repeated and that future generations can live in a state of peace and equality?

Closure:

How did you feel during the opener when the rules were super strict? How does this relate to the novel?