DeeDumTweedle

This assignment allows a teacher to introduce students to a dystopian society without ever defining it...the students themselves create a world in which they have to figure out how to maintain control. Through guided questions and mini activities (like creating a slogan and emblem), your students will have an understanding of a dystopia and will be able to define it clearly after completing this exercise.

This 25 slide Powerpoint has background on the penal laws and the impetus for Swift to write A Modest Proposal. It touches on what satire is, what tools are utilized in satire and then there are many examples from the Onion. Also included are guiding questions while you read the essay (***There is a free annotated copy of A Modest Proposal that corresponds to the questions on the PowerPoint, feel free to download it) Finally, it also comes with a project (satirical magazine covers)/guidelines/

This PowerPoint details the historical context and literary context of the Canterbury Tales. Visual aids, solid information, and great examples help students understand the various ideas, terms, history, and importance of The Canterbury Tales and Chaucer.

This is a "home cooked" version of Balderdash (the game where students take an obscure word--one person has the real definition while the others in the group have to "fake" their definitions). Complete directions come with this download as well as scoring/definition sheets and a "starter kit" of about 60 words (after that you can go to the OED or even a regular dictionary for more words). You can use this as a "just for fun" activity or it can be something more meaningful as you discuss how wo

This is a great way to give an overview of British Literature to your students. A 60 slide presentation of the different literary periods/connections to history and slides featuring pictures from books that have been adapted to the large screen. All information is clear and concise.

This saves me SO MUCH WORK in my class when it comes to the dreaded "missing work." This sheets allows students to be accountable for thier missed work AND will let the teacher know when they turn something in late. Students fill out the top portion of this sheet whenever they don't complete an assignment. You, as the teacher, can put that zero in the grade book with confidence. (I suggest then having a binder that these forms go into for easy student access if they opt to make up the work i

This is THE PowerPoint for 1984. This covers EVERYTHING you need to know. Orwell information, historical information, textual information. This 26 slide PowerPoint is super information WITH some fun mixed in. Also consider getting the accompanying note sheet! (With Answers!)

The 18 slide interactive powerpoint starts by looking at photos where people have simply been removed and then moves into more recent times where photoshop has allowed people to manipulate how the viewer might perceive the subjects. From there we talk about the need and harm that might be involved in revising history (including disenfranchised groups or following trends and omitting important people due to lack of knowledge). On many slides there are hyperlinks to articles so that students get

Students rewrite an event from history like the character Winston does on a daily basis to make the United States appear the victor. In the effort to make real world connections to 1984 with today we discuss how history can be presented in a way that it changes based on who is in charge of writing the history books. Resources include: a link to video clips about the TX board of ed changing history (or downplaying history) and an article that can be used before this assignment is given as an e

The Renaissance is a time in literature of rich background information. This PowerPoint highlights the major historical influences (Henry VIII, plague, theatres, Elizabeth, Shakespeare) and shows how it all intertwines in a very FUN and VISUAL way. Lots of pictures, moving texts, and pop-ups make this an entertaining and educational PowerPoint presentation to share with your classes.

This interactive chart has students delve into what the slogans ACTUALLY mean as well as how we can see them at work in our lives today. There's no better way to understand how the people of 1984 can believe a contradiction when we are shown that we too, do the same thing on a daily basis.

This provides a checklist of the Gothic elements with a definition for each. Students are supposed to check off the elements that they see in Frankenstein and then provide textual support as to where they see it. This could be used as an introduction to Gothic literature and it can also be used at the beginning, middle or end of the novel. Substitute any novel title in the place of Frankenstein and students will still have the same task--point out Gothic elements within a novel.

1984 is a dense novel; literature circles can help guide students through the themes and meanings. Each role has its own sheet with guidance, questions, and directions. This makes each new role for the student easy to complete and a concise way for you to assess.

This activity can be used as an introduction to Victorian manners and the secret fan language in either a history course or (as I use it) as an intro to the Importance of Being Earnest and the Victorian time period. Students role play in different social classes, age groups and navigate through conversations following the the restrictive social conventions of the time period. Included in this: instructions as to how to use this as a mini lesson, pages of "identifiers" for each class membe

An introduction to the Byronic Hero. This is a focus on the TRAITS of the Byronic Hero -- NOT of Lord Byron. Honestly, it takes a fun look at how today we still admire and like the Byronic Hero -- even if they don't seem to be the nicest people around! It should produce some laughs. Modern day examples are worked in along with the premise of "dating" a Byronic Hero. I use this in connection with the Byronic Hero Worksheet and Poems (However, these traits would work with any work involving a Byr

Three short stanzas from Lord Byron to showcase the Byronic Hero traits. 2 sided sheet with the poems and annotation boxes on one side and the Byronic Hero traits on the other. Simple and effective.

This short packet asks students to analyze their dreams (there is a link to a dream analysis website). Students then synthesize that information and interpret the dream. The teacher can draw the connections between their dreams and the dream-like qualities of the poem/the impetus of the poem. There is a copy of the poem (so that students can talk to the text) and five deep questions that require thought, analysis and synthesis.

The slogans found in 1984 can be difficult for students to understand. This sheet breaks each slogan down and allows the students to explore their paradox form. Each slogan has its own ideas and skills to complete. Ultimately, each one connects to the "why Orwell would say this?" idea. This is a great guided way for students to better understand the Doublethink found in the slogans.

This PowerPoint does NOT go into great depth. It covers themes, symbols, time period, what a Moor is and then goes into the different characters. Rather than saturate my students with information at the beginning, I've decided to get them intrigued by focusing in on who the characters are. Students should already know the elements of a tragedy and a tragic hero.

Here's a fun filled review game for the first book of 1984. There are five rounds, kind of derived from "pub trivia" format. Students will unscramble Newspeak, define some Newspeak words, find specific passages based on clues, participate in regular question and answer "trivia" and do a picture round as well.