Animal Farm is an allegorical novel about the animals of Manor Farm that drive out the human farmers and assume control. As time progresses, the dynamic amongst the animals moves from unity and equality to tyranny.

For this book, we offer a mix of literary and informational texts to support your upcoming novel unit. These lessons are designed to build students’ reading comprehension and engagement.

11th Grade Informational Text 1380L

Stalin: A Brutal Legacy Uncovered

Mike Kubic 2016
Passage Summary:

In "Stalin: A Brutal Legacy Uncovered," this informational text provides insight into the historical rise of Joseph Stalin, one of the most brutal tyrants in Soviet and world history, detailing the purges and other such tragedies of his bloody regime.

When and How to Pair:

Introduce this text before students begin the novel, in order to provide historical context on the events and circumstances that prompted Orwell to write his allegory. Pair Animal Farm and “Stalin: A Brutal Legacy Uncovered,” and explain to students that Animal Farm is an allegory for Stalin’s reign. Ask students to analyze Orwell’s use of allegory and satire in his representation of Stalin through the character Napoleon.

8th Grade Religious Text 980L

The Ten Commandments

(As taken from the Book of Exodus, Chapter 20, v 1-26, King James Version)
Passage Summary:

The Ten Commandments are a set of Biblical principles relating to ethics and worship, playing a central role in Christianity and Judaism.

When and How to Pair:

Introduce this text after reading Chapter 2, when the animals create the Seven Commandments as a set of values for the animals to live by. Pair Chapter Two with “The Ten Commandments,” and ask students to compare these Biblical principles with the Seven Commandments of Animalism in Animal Farm. How are both sets of commandments used to dictate behavior? How do the people respond to God’s announcement of the Ten Commandments? How is their response similar to or different from the way the farm animals respond to the pigs’ announcement of the Seven Commandments?

9th Grade Informational Text 1190L

Conformity

Charlotte Harrison 2014
Passage Summary:

The drive to conform to group norms is a powerful force in most people's lives. This informational text about conformity helps explain why people tend to match their beliefs and behaviors to those around them. 

When and How to Pair:

Introduce this text after students have read Chapter 2, when the pigs assume leadership and the farm animals begin to conform to “Animalism,” the practices and principles that the pigs have created. Pair Animal Farm with “Conformity,” and ask students to consider how the three major types of conformity apply to the way the animals on Manor Farm adapt to the rules created by the pigs. Why are the pigs allowed to dictate farm rules without objection from the other farm animals?

7th Grade Psychology 1310L

Herd Behavior

CommonLit Staff 2014
Passage Summary:

"Herd Behavior" describes how individuals change when they are part of a crowd.

When and How to Pair:

Have students read this text after reading Chapter 5, when Napoleon successfully overthrows Snowball and begins to manipulate the other animals and change history. Pair Chapter 5 with “Herd Behavior,” and ask students to discuss why the animals on Manor Farm are behaving like a herd. How do the pigs benefit from the herd behavior exhibited on Manor Farm? How is Orwell using the animals’ response to the pigs’ manipulation as a satirical critique of human behavior?

9th Grade Informational Text 1260L

The Third Wave

CommonLit Staff 2015
Passage Summary:

The Third Wave was an experimental social movement created by high school history teacher Ron Jones in 1967 to explain how the German populace could accept the actions of the Nazi regime during the Second World War. While he taught his students about Nazi Germany during his "Contemporary World History" class, Jones found it difficult to explain how the German people could accept the actions of the Nazis, and decided to create a social movement as a demonstration of the appeal of fascism. As the movement grew outside his class and began to number in the hundreds, Jones began to feel that the movement had spiraled out of control.

When and How to Pair:

Have students read this text after completing Chapter 8, in order to analyze how control and influence are exerted on others. Pair Chapter 8 and “The Third Wave,” and ask students to discuss how individuals and small groups are able to manipulate larger groups for their own gain. How are Napoleon and Ron Jones able to control large groups of people? What are the similarities and differences between their approaches? How are the pigs able to convince the animals to fight Mr. Frederick and his armed men? What practices do the pigs carry out in order to support their dominance? What practices does Ron Jones employ in order to exert control?

12th Grade Informational Text 1320L

The Russian Revolution

Mike Kubic 2016
Passage Summary:

In "The Russian Revolution," this informational text explores the causes of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which led to the complete upheaval of Russian government and society.

When and How to Pair:

Introduce this text after students have completed the novel. Pair Animal Farm with “The Russian Revolution,” and ask students to compare the events of the Russian Revolution with the central conflict on Manor Farm. How are the events in the Russian Revolution similar to the conflict between the animals on Manor Farm? What strategies do the pigs on Manor Farm and Vladimir Lenin use to attain power over the masses?