Reading Animal FarmAlongside our unit on Contexts and Perspectives, Year 8 have been reading George Orwell’s Animal Farm. We have made a point this year to read more widely – not just to complete another novel study – but to broaden the general knowledge our students carry with them. We are encouraging students to think of reading as building a mental library: the more shelves we fill now, the more connections they will be able to draw later. We chose Animal Farm not just because it is an old book that English teachers love to drag out year after year but because this tale is durable and remains relevant year after year. Students have been aghast at the behaviour of the pigs, and we have been able to discuss how people might behave like this – in subtle and not so subtle ways - both historically and today. As we enter school holidays, reading a book for pleasure becomes more achievable and is highly encouraged. I wonder what family conversation it might start? Ashlee Hobbs – Year 8 English
|
