Day Four

Theme:

Hope Amidst Despair

Objectives:

Our main objective for the day is to introduce topics to the students in order to facilitate their own analysis of the text through small group literature circles. In addition, we will listen to literature circle discussions, participate when appropriate, and assist students with time designated for work on assembling the web page.

Rationale:

We believe that due to the serious and intimidating nature of 1984 that it is essential to introduce the ideas of hope and control over one's life. For the past few days, we have integrated complex material in large group discussion format. Therefore, it is important to give some degree of control back to the students by having a literature circles day in which they can discuss the text and develop their own ideas without the intrusion of the teacher or without being intimidated by the entire class. Following this line of reasoning, it is also important to give the students time on the computers to produce and publish their individual texts in relation to the material. In essence, this allows for a sense of control and production.

Materials:

1984 pages 60-87
Literature Circle sheets from packet
Computer access

Lesson:

We will commence with class by asking if students have any questions regarding the text. Then we will introduce quotes from Winston's journal related to the theme for the day: page 60 "If there is hope, it lies in the proles." page 61 "Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they can not become conscious." page 68 "I understand HOW; I do not understand WHY." Students will then join their literature circle group members that were chosen the day before. Each will have his or her information sheet (Click here to see sample Literature Circle pages.) completed and discussion will begin among the small groups. We will circulate throughout the class, answering questions if necessary, adding information when appropriate. After about 15 minutes or so, students will adjourn to the computer lab to work on web pages with our monitoring of their progress.

Assessment:

We will move about the classroom during literature circles to determine if everyone is participating. The completed literature circle information sheet will be due at the conclusion of class. We will also observe student progress on their web pages.

Assignment:

Read pages 88-122 and bring in a text for discussion tomorrow in small groups. It can be a song, a poem, an article, a TV clip, an advertisement, a film clip, etc., but it must reflect technology in some manner.

Click here to return to introduction page.