Day Two

Theme:

Technology--Friend and Enemy

Objectives:

The goal of the day is to engage students in the text of 1984 through discussion. We will relate the text to students' lives through the incorporation of Postman's article, 1984, Orwell's ideas, and class thoughts. The main objective is to explore the differences and similarities between each representation of technology. The final goal is for students to compose their initial reactions in a freewrite that is due at the end of class.

Rationale:

It is important to begin this unit by having students submersed into the text. Postman's essay will provide a framework for students to begin making connections between technology and their lives. Initial reactions in a written format are essential to give students a basis for comparison of their conceptions of technology at the beginning of the two week plan and then once again at the conclusion of the two weeks, even at the end of the nine week grading period. Often initial reactions are key factors in overall impressions of a text, and it is interesting to note differences and similarities at the outset of the novel and once again at the summation of the novel.

Materials:

1984 pages 5-27
Postman's Technopoly excerpt from student packet
Writing utensil and paper

Lesson:

We will begin with a discussion of the text and with student inquiries about the previous evening's reading. Following this we will raise questions pertaining to any of the following subjects found in that section of reading: Image of Big Brother, Newspeak, Thought Police, Winston's journal, and the three Party slogans. At this point we will attempt to integrate the excerpts of Technopoly into the discussion in which Postman speaks of technology as both friend and enemy. With the remaining time in class, students will be asked to compose a brief freewrite in which they will reflect upon their immediate reactions to the text and to discussion.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed based upon participation in discussion, in completion of freewrite, and in attempting to make connections to technology and to their lives.

Assignment:

Read pages 27-60. Keep recording information and observations in DELRJ.

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