Eng: Propaganda Intro

Today we finished our intro to propaganda. We start Animal Farm tomorrow.

History Feb. 27 - Mar. 4

Over the course of the last 5 classes we have:
1. Watched (and answered questions) a video about "Russia's Last Tsar."
2. Worked on the Russia/Break Away Republics grid.
3. Discussed the Communist Manifesto of Karl Marx.
4. Did a reading guide about the Russian Revolution.

Eng: Talking About Tools

Today we did a bit of history in class, looking at the five tools totalitarian dictators use to gain and maintain control. This builds upon our work with media analysis in preparation for Animal Farm next week.

Eng.: Media Analysis

Today, after a review of Allegory and Fable, we did a media analysis exercise using the bits of persuasive media students brought in. It was collected. The questions are below.

Notice/Focus Media Analysis, Part 1

1. Make a list of at least 10 things that you notice about your advertisement or piece of media. What stands out? 5 minutes
2. Choose three things from your list. What makes these things particularly significant or interesting? Explain in detail. 5 minutes

Notice/Focus Media Analysis, Part 1

Compare notes with a partner, and add responses to the following questions to your previous notice/focus work. 10 minutes

1. What things do your media have in common? Do the media’s creators use similar techniques to get their message across? What are those techniques?
2. What are the messages of your media?
3. Who are the targets of these messages? (e.g. women, men, teens, children, etc.) How do you know? Be specific.

History: Feb. 25 & 26

Monday Feb. 25: Tapestry discussion about drug abuse.

Tuesday Feb. 26: Introductory lecture: What is Totalitarianism. Students also researched some statistical data about Russia and the break-away republics.

Eng.: Allegories and Fables

Today we started a short look at allegories and fables as a part of our run up to Orwell's Animal Farm.

Eng.: In Class Essay

Today as a culmination of our WWI unit, students wrote an essay in class on a piece of WWI poetry.