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Original poster

Animal Farm resources to help understand concepts?

15 replies

WinterDipper · 30/09/2023 10:16

My DD is struggling with focus in year 8 English as they are doing Animal Farm. She is autistic and should be getting more help than she is …(mum is it possible to fall asleep with your eyes open? Because that’s what I do in English it’s lots of words I don’t understand)…but are there any good you tube or simplified books/ resources that I can help her to understand Animal Farm suitable for age 12, year 8. She loves reading books of her own choice so no problem with her reading age in general just not these texts. Thanks

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TeenDivided · 30/09/2023 10:23

Does she understand the concept of an allegory / parable?

If so can you do some mapping between the animal farm characters / events and who/what they are meant to represent? Would that help?

clary · 30/09/2023 10:24

It's a GCSE text (dd did it) so there is a CGP revision guide and will be loads on YouTube too.

clary · 30/09/2023 10:27

But I agree with Teen, a physical task of mapping character and allegory probs more useful than just watching a video passively

Original poster
WinterDipper · 30/09/2023 10:32

Thanks I’ll see what we can do, I hadn’t realised it was a gcse text as my eldest went to a different school & didn’t do it. We just need to get past the massive hurdle of “home is home” and “school is school” so we don’t do school work at home that her head has now..

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TeenDivided · 30/09/2023 10:33

clary · 30/09/2023 10:27

But I agree with Teen, a physical task of mapping character and allegory probs more useful than just watching a video passively

Mind you, I couldn't do a mapping for Animal Farm without watching a video or reading the CGP guide first!

Original poster
WinterDipper · 30/09/2023 10:50

No she wouldn’t understand hidden meanings at all she hates things like the word “bright” for her means light eg “bright sunlight “ and not mean “she was a bright child”. We’ve just secured a EHCP but the support in place isn’t specific enough and I’m really worried that this type of lesson is really highlighting the extra support she needs or she will just completely disengage in the lesson which is already happening on wk3.

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Original poster
WinterDipper · 30/09/2023 10:53

I’ve just ordered a second hand copy off that CGP guide off eBay. I didn’t study animal farm as I was allowed to drop Eng Lit at secondary as like her I just didn’t “get it”, it didn’t stop me getting a good degree but in a science field definitely not Eng Lit!

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clary · 30/09/2023 11:04

TeenDivided · 30/09/2023 10:33

Mind you, I couldn't do a mapping for Animal Farm without watching a video or reading the CGP guide first!

Show quote history

No for sure - I kind of meant - watch the video for help then do the mapping task (or similar)! Coloured pens can be helpful - different one for each character?

The issue with hidden meanings is going to be massive in terms of Animal Farm tbh. That's literally what it's all about. I would flag it to the teacher - not that they can do much but to make them aware. Can you approach the issue by talking about words that mean two things in common language - your example of bright is good, or teen slang where it means the opposite? Or would she never use that?

AF is not often studied for GCSE at schools sadly - the vast vast majority choose An Inspector Calls which I love but I also think AF is amazing. I guess your school is not planning to study it for GCSE either.

Original poster
WinterDipper · 30/09/2023 11:08

Thanks I will talk to the school as she’s needs support or a different approach if they are going to do this book I think. it’s not helped it’s a new English teacher to school who she hasn’t gelled with either sadly his approach is walk around class but never stops to check in with her as she just goes mute and pretends to work when in reality hasn’t got a clue what’s going on and is panicking massively- she only told me all this last night.
My other DD did An inspector calls at a different school and just passed English Lit with a G6 so I had hoped she could help but she didn’t do AF.

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clary · 30/09/2023 11:12

Ah bless her @WinterDipper I was a classroom teacher for years and would have hated to think that a student who seemed to be working hard was inwardly panicking. Please do flag this to her teacher and even if they can't offer much help (I mean they are not going to do another book) they will be aware.

Please also tell her not to worry - this is all just practice for the Eng lit GCSE so if she can't do it yet, she will. Support her in trying to get something out of the book - no grade is given for year 8 Eng lit work, it's a process of learning skills.

Potterinthegarden · 30/09/2023 15:06

I would suggest watching the animation (1954), it looks like you might be able to watch it for free on YouTube (after a very quick search). I think that would be a good way to learn the story and what happens. I hope your daughter comes to enjoy it, it is a wonderful story which will always be relevant.

yoshiblue · 30/09/2023 15:22

www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zwpfvwx/articles/zw2r96f

Bitesize has a KS3 guide including some video content

stargirl1701 · 30/09/2023 15:41

Try an illustrated edition? Chis Mould did a fab one recently.

Farm amzn.eu/d/bSrxuJ7

Original poster
WinterDipper · 30/09/2023 19:12

Thank you these are all really helpful we will take a look tomorrow.

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