PROPAGANDA, MEDIA LITERACY AND CRITICAL THINKING is a modular unit designed for approximately three to four weeks of class work. It is designed for high – level student engagement with the history and techniques of propaganda, the psychology of media manipulation and specific strategies to apply critical thinking to digital communication, with a range of techniques and activities for analyzing on-line propaganda and digital manipulation. It is based on three extended power-points, each a complete unit in itself (see full content below). Each slide has questions and other tasks to test for understanding – these are a range of activities, including prior knowledge tests, crossword, short answer quizzes, research tasks, discussion topics and visual interpretation analysis. The teacher copy of the power-points contains the answers to all the questions asked in the unit. All slides are numbered to ensure ease of use in whole class teaching. An extension activity analyzing romanticized representations of war is included. It is a modular unit which can be used as a whole or each of the sections can function as a self contained program of instruction, depending on teaching time and course focus – English, media literacy, life skills, digital persuasion. The unit is in three sections PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA LITERACY What is propaganda – a definition Prior Knowledge test of persuasive techniques The propaganda spectrum/ Use of propaganda for good and bad ends Stereotypes Symbols Emotive Language – Connotations and Associations Framing the issue Sound devices in propaganda ROLES - R epition O missions L ies E xaggeration S implification FIVE ENQUIRY QUESTIONS – Media Manipulation and Digital Deception (i) Advertising and Propaganda (ii) Propaganda and pre-exisiting prejudices (iii) The Big Lie – The Success of Massive Deceptions (iv) The Goals of Propaganda – Case Study Research (v) News Reporting as Propaganda- Case Study DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN AN AGE OF DISINFORMATION Technology and the Future of Propaganda (i) Quantity of Information Technology and the Future of Propaganda (i) Quality and targeting Online Propaganda Campaigns – Case Study Summary of key points - technology and propaganda Questions for research and discussion Five Step to Deal with Online Disinformation Applying Critical Thinking to Digital Propaganda Online Propaganda’s Greatest Tricks (a) Correlation and Causation (b) The Slippery Slope © Bandwagon Appeal (d) False Dichotomy Additional Resources (1) Crossword of Key Terms (with answers) (ii) Extension activity (ppt) - Romanticized Images of War - Wartime Posters

Year 10- 12 Term Unit to guide students in close literary analysis of the novel through a variety of visually engaging activities on plot, characters, themes, setting, literary and language elements, vocabulary building, comparing and contrasting with other texts, extension exercises for able students, crossword with answers, and individual chapter summaries each with comprehension questions. 27 page student study guide - activities on each numbered page - answers for all questions in teacher powerpoint. Material is cumulative to develop understanding from literal to metaphorical, and unit can be used as a self- directed program with students working at their own pace or as teacher directed learning for whole class progression. Teacher powerpoint contains all answers to all activites One Master Powerpoint for teacher - contains answers to comprehension questions. One powerpoint - crossword answers Class activity (pre or post reading task) ‘Personal Reflection - Issues in LORD OF THE FLIES’ to connect student experience with understanding of concepts & themes in the novel. Study Guide Contents (each section containing text comprehension testing with answers for all questions in teacher powerpoint (i) Background to the Novel (ii) Language and vocabulary - terms to know (iii) Setting in the Novel (iv) Charcter Analysis (a) Ralph (b) Jack (c) Simon (d) Piggy (v) Literary Techniques (a) symbolism (b) foreshadowing (vi) Themes and Ideas in the Novel (vii) Extension activity - Where Is the Beast? Neuroscience and the novel (viii) Revision Crossword (ix) Extension activity - Poetry on the theme of Lord of the Flies (x) Chapter Questions - Separate analysis for each of the twelve chapters

This is a unit to prepare secondary students to produce their own short story, by a close study of five short stories each of which have enquiry and discussion questions about characterization and language use, together with explicit powerpoint instruction on genre, the creation of conflict, the construction of tension, using implicit description, and using figurative language devices for effect The 5 stories are formatted with graphic art and sidebar explanation of the vocabulary and each are provided with a set of comprehension questions on plot, character,writer’s purpose and use of language. As a way of close analysis with the full class, each comes as both a document / pdf for digital transmission / printing, and also in powerpoint form so that focus on particular language in the text can be best managed in class. These powerpoints come in separate student and teacher versions - teacher copy contains answerson slides to all questions.

EDITORIAL CARTOONS – A COMPLETE UNIT This is a unit on editorial / political cartoons, ready to teach for approximately three weeks, made up of daily powerpoints covering all aspects of editorial cartooning (see full list of content at bottom of page), culminating in explicit step-by-step teaching of paragraph and essay response writing to editorial cartoons. The package is made up of daily powerpoint lessons, step by step activities to check for understanding, annotated exemplars of paragraph and essay responses, and scaffolding handouts to assist in the practice . Please note - the cartoons have been chosen to be on universal topics like the environment and technology and are not reliant on culture-specific knowledge of politicians and localised systems for understanding. Those cartoons included in the material that relate to historical events are accompanied with snapshot explanations and brief context details. CONTENTS IN FULL package is (i) Teacher Master PPT (answers for all questions on pp) / Student copy of PPT minus answers I. Definitions and Purpose of editorial cartoons II. Targeting III. Prior knowledge test of cartoon commentary IV. Prior knowledge test of key terms to be used in unit V. Satire – purpose and impact VI. Three case studies from history in editorial cartoon satire VII. Application of understanding – test identifying the cartoonist’s purpose VIII. The Techniques of Editorial Cartooning – The Visual Element a. Exaggeration b. Caricature c. Positioning d. Symbolism e. Test on knowledge of classic symbols f. Allusion and Parody g. Analogy h. Metaphor i. Irony j. Stereotypes k. Stereotypes, accuracy and fairness l. National stereotypes m. Juxtaposition n. Comparing and contrasting IX. The Techniques of Editorial Cartooning – The Written Element a. Cartoons with no written text b. Labels in cartooning c. Dialogue in cartooning X. Editorial Cartooning around the world a. Censorship and taboos b. Placing limits on cartooning in democracies XI. Writing an Extended Analysis of An Editorial Cartoon a. Deconstructing the cartoon b. Writing the introduction c. How to write the analysis in full – pp exemplar d. Practice writing using analysis scaffold template XII. Putting It All Together Essay Exemplar – Annotated essay on David Low’s ‘RENDEZVOUS’ (pp. explanation and student handout for close reading) XIII. Editorial Cartoon Analysis test – Student handout Cartoon Analysis Scaffolding - Student Handout XIV. Essay Writing Practice Questions – Student Handout Essay Writing Task from Power Point Stimulus (‘Techno Generation’’) – PPT and Handout Essay Scaffolding - Analysing an Editorial Cartoon – Student Handout

Complete unit for the drama, TWELVE ANGRY MEN, providing an engaging, varied range of student activities for rigorous analysis of plot, characters and themes. This is a unit of literary analysis, covering vocabulary of legal terms, analysis of conflicts, interpretation of cartoons related to key ideas in the text, and extension activities. The unit can be used as whole class, step-by-step lessons or self-contained student-directed work program for individuals to complete at their learning pace, complete with all questions to the varied comprehension for student self-evaluation **UNIT PACKAGE ** INTRODUCTION TO THE PLAY Power Point (1 - 2 lessons) (2 copies - one TEACHER ONLY copy with all answers on vocabulary and comprehension questions one STUDENT copy with comprehension questions minus answers) Power Point contains Understanding essential concepts - prior knowledge & vocabulary exercise Legality, Morality and Unjust Laws - comprehension Law making in democratic society / symbolism and law Cartoon representations of problems with the justice system - comprehension **STUDENT STUDY & COMPREHENSION GUIDE (approximately 2 weeks) (i) Fourteen comprehension activities covering all of the plot, comprehension and interpretation of key lines, using diagrams to compare and contrast, sequencing diagram, short answer tasks and crossword on the text. (ii) Teacher Power Point with all answers to questions in the study guide for class marking and assessing student understanding 3. EXEMPLAR ESSAY Handout Annotated exemplar analytical essay Sidebar annotation of textual construction and language features

A set of five highly visual powerpoints containing ongoing focus questions, task slides and vocabulary and concept building, created to widen understanding during the class viewing of SHREK. There is also a handout on vocabulary learned during the film study. This unit of work contains most of what you will need for a close film study. The emphasis is on a visually engaging presentation of the essential details of genre, setting, character and theme, with the slide content created specifically for student note taking and regular set questions for class discussion. There are culminating tasks on each slide set to revise and summarize what has been learned. Set One - INTRODUCTION TO SHREK * Reason for mass age group appeal * Outline of origins of story * How book is adapted to film * Reflection task on the appeal of modernized fairy tales Set Two - SETTING AND GENRE * Time / Place framing * Foreshadowing & expectations through setting and genre * Fairy tale conventions * Conflicts in conventional fairy tales * Historical context - medieval society * Shrek as a conventional fairy story - writing and discussion Set Three - VOCABULARY * key words from the film - slides for each viewing day * film vocabulary with part of speech, definition and example of usage in the film HANDOUT based on Vocaulary PP - Crossword test of all words Set Four - CHARACTERS * Framing Questions on Viewing and Evaluating characters * The difference between character and characterization * Elements of Characterization * Exemplar of a sympathetic animated character * The process of animated characterization * Characterization of Shrek the Ogre * Flat and Rounded CHaracters in SHREK * Character concepts - protagonist, antagonist, confidante, stock characters * Test of Knowledge on SHREK characterization (with answers) * Stereotypes in Fairy Tales * SHREK and unconventional fairy tale characterization (with tests for understanding) * Summarizing writing / speaking task on characters Set Five - THEMES * Analysis of concept of theme versus main idea * Concept of universal and imlied themes * analysis of key themes in SHREK ~ beauty, love, friendship, appearance versus reality

This is a comprehensive guide intended for class use for a full unit of study of Sophocles’ ‘ANTIGONE.’ This can be used as a stand alone unit for exclusive study of ‘Antigone’ only, as It provides contextual background of the Theban plays so that students do not need to have covered ‘Oedipus Rex’ or ‘Oedipus at Colonus’ to understand in depth the plot, characters and themes of ‘Antigone.’ If your students are covering additional Theban plays in their literature course, I offer a separate student study guide, “Oedipus Rex,” sold separately here. This study guide is a highly visual resource aimed at engaging students with a variety of activities, including paragraph writing, crossword, class debate and discussion ideas, and contemporary examination of the thematic content. Each of the numbered pages contains comprehension questions to check student understanding, reinforce learning and extend student processing of the thematic ideas of the text. The sections in the guide are 1. Background and context to the Oedipus cycle 2. Analysis and tasks on the nature of tragic drama 3. Levels of meaning in the text 4. Alternative interpretations and readings of the text 5. Comparative viewpoints within the text 6. Feminist reading of the text 7. Language usage in the text 8. Analysis of themes This guide is created as a self-contained unit for students to work through independently at their individual rate. The material is of graduated complexity, taking students from basic elements to more advanced reasoning and the application of higher order skills. The material has been chosen and presented to engage students through a variety of activities to suit different skill levels.

This is a complete unit of study for students studying Aldous Huxley’s ‘Brave New World,’ in the form of a 20 page, highly visual analysis of the novel covering all elements of the plot, characters and themes, engaging students in wide ranging activities including crossword, vocabulary building, text comprehension, extended writing and visual literacy tasks. In addition, there are activities in paragraph writing, comparative literary analysis using Orwell’s ‘1984,’ practice essay topics and personal response questions about the contemporary relevance of Huxley’s warnings. The study guide aims to extend students by engaging students in a range of enquiry and writing skills in designated sections - justifying, researching, comparing and contrasting, identifying cause and effect, drawing conclusions and making inferences. This is a practical work unit that uses eye appealing graphics and a graduated level of difficulty to enable students through a guided close analysis of the literary elements of the novel to be able to make their own substantiated conclusions to the writer’s themes and purpose.

Twelve page study guide for the study of Ned Kelly based on the text “Black Snake.” The focus is on vocabulary and the representations of Ned Kelly in poetry, legal records, journalism and film. Students are provided with language activities for each chapter and with comparative studies of Ned Kelly as hero and outlaw.

Seventeen page Study Guide of engaging analysis and activities for use in your class teaching of the novel, “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.” This is a highly visual resource intended to comprehensively guide students in understanding plot, characters, theme, point of view and historical context, answering their questions along the way about fundamentals such as historical timelines, meaning of key terms and explaining belief systems. The contents on the numbered pages are as follows Plot exercises Historical terms / vocabulary Visualization timeline Frequently asked questions about the Holocaust Fact versus Fiction in the novel Paragraph writing - exemplar and extended writing activities Chapter Questions - comprehension questions fr each chapter with page numbers to locate answers Comparing and Contrasting - diagrammatic representation of character similiarities and differences Crossword on plot and characters Irony analysis in the novel - student activities on use of irony in the plot and dialogue of the novel Fences and Boundaries in History - research Point of view analysis and higher order thinking exercises on character perspective Themes - analysis and comprehension questions Essay Questions Further reading and viewing This resource is a complete unit that would would be all that teachers would require in a class study of the novel over several weeks.

This study guide, with extensive visuals and historic inserts framing key questions students want answered about the Holocaust, is envisaged as a three week program of vocabulary building, language and literacy exercises, extended responses and opportunities for students to debate, reflect and extend themselves in further reading. Intended to reflect the power of the text, the material is focused on close reading together with historical backgrounding to give students context and detailed knowledge to enable students to make detailed, justified responses in extended prose, as well as in genres of letter writing, persuasive writing and creative reflection. The sections covers, in a visually engaging manner, the plot, characters and ideas of the memoir, with focus questions on each of the numbered pages. There is a vocabulary list of historical terminology, as well as vocab building exercises based on the language used by the author in the memoir. In addition to close analysis of the use of language there are sections on ~ the author’s themes and purpose, with text examples immediately following in close reading exercises, with comprehension questions on authorial positioning, implied reading and language devices ~ compare and contrast exercises ~ practice paragraph and essay topics ~ language activities on euphemism ~ topics for class debate and discussion ~ list of extension material for further reading and viewing The study guide is intended to be a complete self-contained program of course work which can be assigned to the students for completion at their own pace.

This fifteen page study guide is intended as a complete self-contained work unit for students in Years 10 to 12 studying the film “Dead Poets’ Society.” It offers a wide range of analytical and creative activities for students to fully engage with and respond to the film and its themes. The study guide has been created for maximum visual appeal, calculated to reflect the idealism and romanticism of the film, and to provide your students with opportunities for both rigorous analysis of plot, characters, themes and film techniques, as well as activities to give scope to their own self-expression in the form of poetry writing, personal argument and script writing. The study guide is made up of Introduction to the film with questions based on prior knowledge and preliminary reflections on the purpose of education and the tension between conformity and individualism Plot summary and close exercises on the storyline and conflicts Character Analyses with questions on all major characters Case study of Film Techniques, with analysis of scripting, camera and lighting, with comprehension questions about scene direction Drama writing exercise for students to create alternative endings and additional scenes to the film Poetry analysis of verse from the film with comprehension questions Stimulus for personal poetry writing on the themes and ideas in "Dead Poets’ Society’ Paragraph writing exercises and essay topics Discussion and debate topics As a unit of work, this study guide is envisaged as covering two to three weeks of work

This is a complete unit of work in the form of a student study guide covering the novel ‘All Quiet on the Western Front.’ It contains all that is needed to examine, in a comprehensive literary study, the plotting, characterization, use of language and narrative point-of-view of Erich Remarque’s novel. It is envisaged that this will support a three to four week span of class work at senior level. The material is 25 pages of activities, thoroughly illustrated with varied text types and graphics to stimulate engagement and understanding. The handout is intended to provide a cumulative study of writing that causes social change and the way language is used to make a social protest. Contained in the student handout is Background notes on World War One and Remarque’s point of view Analysis of characters Detailed analysis of themes Key quotes - student comprehension testing on the use of language and dialogue to position and form representations and symbolic meaning Exemplar essay Reflection activities Exemplar of persuasive language with comprehension test

This is a colorful, professionally produced study guide of ten numbered pages, used and found practical for a range of Year 11 and 12 students. With plenty of graphics, including cartoons and a range of activities to promote active participation in watching the film, this is aimed at promoting extended writing about positioning, bias and point-of view, with comprehension questions, crossword and discussion questions aimed at vocabulary building and identifying film techniques. It includes an annotated exemplar of effective reviewing, guidance questions for the viewing process, and builds on skills in a cumulative way, from literal understanding of the content to more sophisticated concepts such as selectivity, language choices in commentary and the power of documentary film making to promote change.

This is a complete unit of work for use in the study of the animated film “A Bug’s Life.” The seven pages of activities are varied, well illustrated to gain interest, and sequenced for comprehension of plot, character, characterization and theme. The material is practical, so that students at various levels of ability can proceed through the work at their own pace, with self-explanatory language and a magazine style visual presentation that does not require teacher clarification and guidance. The material is intended for Years 7 to 9 The material guides students through the following steps Plotting - cloze exercise Characters - reading comprehension Characterization - comparing and contrasting External and internal elements of characterization - comparative case study Tweety Bird / Flik Using evidence and quotes from the text - identifying key elements of dialogue and drawing conclusions Paragraph writing - revision and practice writing exercise Themes and Ideas in the film - summary and practice questions.

This is a practical handout which is aimed at Year 10 to Year 12 students, and covers work for two or three lessons, made up of the following material Characteristics of the genre of eulogy and tribute writing - tone, structure, purpose, language choices, use of anecdote Preparation overview - note taking and planning suggestions Exemplar of a tribute - annotated with explanations of structure Two practice writing activities Famous eulogies - texts of two historical eulogies in full, with comprehension Audio of the eulogies

SHOOTING AN ELEPHANT DOWN THE MINE A HANGING Three essays, presented in a visually enhanced manner, with vocabulary and meanings list, comprehension and extension questions. I have used these for Years 10, 11 and 12. For engaging students who are covering Orwell texts such as “Animal Farm” and “1984” these essays with close analysis examine Orwell’s sense of social justice, his understanding of the structures of tyranny, and his keen eye for observation. There are annotated commentaries on Orwell’s choice of language and each essay is constructed as sufficient for a lesson of class work. This has also been useful in my classes as an extension reading comprehension for stronger students, and for homework activities. Word and PDF format for each should you wish to shorten or add your preferred commentary and questions.

THE ENGLISH ROMANTIC POETS - A PRACTICAL STUDY GUIDE This is a visually stimulating fifteen page study guide on the poetry of the great poets of the Romantic Period. It is intended as the basis of a two week unit. The emphasis is on direct, attention getting material that will engage learners of different levels, covering the life and poetry of John Keats William Wordsworth Samuel Taylor Coleridge Percy Shelley Lord Byron William Blake The numbered pages contain exercises on (i)the concept of romanticism (ii) the distinction between romance poetry and the philosophy of romanticism in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s (iii) backgrounding of each poet and an outline of his distinctive viewpoint (iv) poems from each of the six poets, with vocabulary explained for each poem, and comprehension questions. the poems are ‘Daffodils’ (Worsworth), (v) art activity for the visual learner (vi) exercise in distinguishing love poetry and romantic poetry The work involves straightforward explanation so that the student can proceed at his / her own pace, without need for constant guidance. Students will be able to identify the major elements of romanticism beyond mere rebelliousness and be able to locate textual evidence about pantheism, philosophical interest in heroic mythology, romantic preoccupation with the imagination over clinical intellect and the embrace of the non-rational and spiritual in the works of some of the poets. The layout and design is meant to have a magazine style level of visual interest and at the same time provide rigorous and serious commentary in a way that doesn’t rely on jargon or confusing terminology (vocabulary is explained in each of the poems so that teacher direction is minimized)

This 20 page study guide for students is a complete unit, covering the plot, characters and themes of Ken Kesey’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” in a visually rich and stimulating format. This is the product of my twenty five years of teaching the novel, and covers Background to the writing of the book / analysis of Kesey’s purpose / socio-political context of sixties counter-culture Comprehension on all significant parts of the novel, involving close exercises, short answers, paragraph writing and creative reflection responses Character analysis and outline of conflicting representations (focus on point of view in literature) Further reading and research stimulus This is intended as a complete, step by step guide to understanding the novel in depth, using cartoons, stimulus poetry and extension activity, and can be useful in teaching to a range of ability levels, with students able to progress at their own rate to grasp the essential social commentary of the novel.

This study guide is a complete unit made up of ten pages of varied activities. It is a practical resource for educators who want self-explanatory, stimulating analysis and well targeted questions presented in a visually interesting handout. For the teacher with a classroom with a variety of reading and writing aptitudes, this study guide takes the student through the plot, characters and ideas of “A Christmas Carol” so that they can progress at their own pace. The handout is intended for approximately two to three weeks work. It is made up of 1 Background context to Dickensian England 2. Dicken’s purpose in writing / the process he followed in composition 3. Activities and close analysis of the plot and characters of each stave 4. Vocabulary and spelling tests throughout 5. Close reading comprehension testing at varying levels 6. Grammatical exercises using the text Those who have taught “A Christmas Carol” are well aware that engaging students can be a challenge - the story is so well known yet the original text requires application. For learning purposes, this guide gives step by step instruction in reading for meaning, enabling students to grasp Dickens’ plotting, comprehending characters, and appreciating the Victorian era style. This handout provides the necessary background to give students the social context, class issues, and the concept of mass poverty and its implications. Using a chronological stave-by-stave analysis with detailed comprehension, the study guide provides plenty of back up explanation in vocabulary and terminology, and practice in identifying word meanings and applications for usage.