And girls will be women

7 09 2022

Speaking task – Pair-work presentation:  compare and contrast the two stories below, highlighting the similarities and differences. Use the points you have noted in this  VENN DIAGRAM to shape your response, and aim for a lively and informative presentation style.

1. To what degree is this a more modern version of the original book? Study an excerpt from the novel HERE

2. Observe the painting closely (click on the pic to access a larger version and use either of these two APPROACHES) and listen to the recording (till 01:40). What changed for middle-class girls in the 19th century?

 

3. What happens to the four sisters in this coming-of-age story?

4. What is ‘Visual Literacy’? Learn more with the Toledo Museum of Art.

 




Coming of age

5 09 2022

1. Do you know the story? What are the pros and cons of “never growing up”?

2. Listen to Monika (02:45-04:25) and sum up the film’s plot. Are “coming-of-age stories” your  favorite movies too?

3. What can you say about the narrator of this story? Consider all three narratives presented here.  Can you identify the different steps of coming-of-age stories?




Asking for mercy

9 03 2021

1. “Would you call this a man?”

2. Learn about the writer and his journey. Read HERE a passage from his book.

3. List the different steps and say why the process has come under criticism.

4. She argues that “law should be a tool for social change,” but who is Letitia James? 




Fire is catching

8 06 2020

1. Do you know the story? Try summarizing it using a SWBST chart.

2. Why were the “Games” decreed? Read more HERE.

3. Who is Katniss Everdeen? Try completing this CHARACTER MAP.




Words have the power to shape thought

4 06 2020

1. Watch the video and then take the TEST.

2. How does “Orwellian” compare to “authoritarian”? Take the QUIZ.

3. Why does George Orwell matter? Do a reading comprehension exercise on his BIOGRAPHY.




No animal shall drink alcohol “to excess”

26 05 2020

1. Listen to this as you read the chapter.  Test your understanding HERE.

2. What are some of the reasons that make the pigs’ totalitarianism possible?

3. Listen to the poem. What connections can you make to Animal Farm? Read more HERE.

 

 




Animal Hero, first Class

19 05 2020

1. Watch this video and listen carefully for examples of language used as a tool of manipulation. Read more HERE.

2. Why are times so tough for animals on Animal Farm? How does the chapter parallel real history? Take a reading comprehension test on chapter 7 HERE.

 

3. Listen to ALRA postgraduates speak about Animal Farm and the roles everyone plays. Which role would YOU like to play? Explain why in a 3-minute video presentation.




Every dream begins with a dreamer.

13 05 2020

YOUR TASK: “You are a communication manager. You’re working for a utopian project. Make a leaflet to promote it”.

Give precise information. Explain the idea behind the project (values, rules, goals). You can use an online tool like www.canva.com  to make your leaflet.

1. Learn what Utopia is with the British Library. Then use this INTERACTIVE to answer the question, “Can perfect worlds ever exist in reality?”  

2. Learn why John Lennon and Yoko Ono created Nutopia. Utopia may be nearly impossible to find, but now you can rent Nutopia!

3. What is EPCOT? Can you explain the name? What makes this project a typical utopia?

4. Explain the advantages of co-housing. Do you see any drawbacks in this way of life? 

5. Click below to study a literary text and find out more about YOUR TASK.

 




Top writing tips

11 05 2020

1. What are Margaret Atwood’s top tips to new writers? Work on one of her scenes HERE.

2. Watch this clip for useful tips on how to suck your readers into your stories. Then, take the QUIZ.

3. And here come some suggestions to help you with writing effective dialogue. Take the quiz HERE.




Napoleon is always right

7 05 2020

1. Listen to this reading of chapter 5. Find it in print HERE.

2. Why does conflict arise on Animal Farm? What parallels can be made with Soviet Russia?

3. Click below to study a passage from chapter 5.

4. How to use rhetoric to get what you want. Take the TEST.  

5. Listen and pick out: a formula for making great phrases; one example of a figure of rhetoric and how it works; the reason why the speaker mentions Kate Perry; one example of a former president’s use of rhetoric; who the speaker predicted would win the 2016 election and 3 reasons why people use rhetoric. Read more HERE.