Boxer and the theme of education in 'Animal Farm'
I can describe how the character of Boxer is used to present Orwell's theme of education in 'Animal Farm'.
Boxer and the theme of education in 'Animal Farm'
I can describe how the character of Boxer is used to present Orwell's theme of education in 'Animal Farm'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Those who are uneducated are at the mercy of their leaders.
- 'Animal Farm' is Orwell's treatise on the power and importance of language.
- Orwell shows those who are uneducated are prevented from being leaders.
- Boxer is the most useful character to explore when discussing education.
Keywords
Gullible - Easily persuaded or willing to believe everything that others say.
Treatise - A piece of writing that explores a specific subject or idea.
Illiterate - You are unable to read or write.
Seminal - A work, for example a piece of writing, that is of great importance and influence.
Diligent - To work hard, in a careful and thorough way.
Common misconception
That Boxer is only presented as naïve and gullible.
Why does Napoleon set the dogs on Boxer? There are moments when Boxer begins to challenge what he is being told by the pigs.
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Boxer and the theme of education in 'Animal Farm', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Boxer and the theme of education in 'Animal Farm', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Animal Farm: barriers to leadership unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
"He was not of first rate intelligence"
"read as well as any pig"
"could read somewhat better than the dogs"
"If she could have spoken her thoughts"
"Four legs good, two legs bad"
"was best at writing"