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Lesson 7

We will participate in a design review with a team of other students in which we will present and explain our Cover Design Proposal and Cover Design Markup for an original book cover that features our character and communicates our interpretation of Orwell’s allegory through that character’s point of view.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I effectively communicate my thinking and design ideas in a peer review of my cover design proposals and representations?

  • Can I make inferences and use evidence to support my understanding of the meaning of Orwell’s allegory in Animal Farm and the role my character plays in the story?

  • Can I write about how my understanding of the explicit or implicit meanings of Animal Farm has evolved?

Texts

Core

  • Unit Reader
    • Animal Farm: Introduction to Signet Classic 75th Anniversary Edition, Téa Obreht, Signet Classics, 2020

Materials

Tools

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Write

We will review the expectations for the Cover Design Proposal and mockup, as explained in the Cover Design Brief.

Step 1

Review the expectations for the Section 3 Diagnostic book cover design as presented and explained in the Cover Design Brief.

You will submit and review:

  • A draft design proposal that explains your interpretation of the story from your character’s point of view and proposes what you will do or include for each of the design expectations of the brief.

  • A graphic mockup of your design that includes the image you will use, your titling, and your copy arranged in a preliminary layout for your book cover.

Step 2

Also review the five specific elements you should have addressed and included in your design proposal and mockup:

  1. One or more images of your character.

  2. Other graphic images that enhance the central image of your character.

  3. Titling in an interesting font and layout that complements your images.

  4. Copy for a back cover.

  5. Graphic elements, color choices, and layout that complement and enhance your design.

Step 3

Access the Section 3 Diagnostic Cover Design Feedback Form you will use in your review teams to provide constructive feedback.

Discuss each of the following as you examine the form:

  • The organization of the feedback form, using the eight criteria for success.

  • The format of the feedback form, which allows you to provide a quick rating (minus, check, plus) for each of the criteria, then record explanatory notes about what you see as strengths or areas for improvement.

  • The use of the feedback form during and after your design review.

In your review team, you will be paired with a review partner, who will complete a feedback form for your design proposal and mockup. You will also do a self-assessment, using the same tool, and submit both to your teacher.

Activity 2: Write

We will join a design review team and present our Cover Design Proposal and mockup.

Step 1

As directed by your teacher, join a four-student review team, with which you will present, discuss, and review your design proposal and mockup.

Step 2

Introduce yourself and your proposal, identifying the character you have focused on in the unit and explaining how you have interpreted that character’s role.

Using the text of your Cover Design Proposal as a guide (but not simply reading it), explain the elements of your proposed design, as follows:

  1. The interpretation of the allegory and your character’s role that you intend to communicate through your design.

  2. The graphic images of your character you are using, why you are using them, and where they have come from

  3. Additional images you are also using

  4. Your concept for your titling, including font and layout choices.

  5. The copy that you are presenting on your back cover and how you will present it.

  6. Your overall design concept and how you are unifying the elements.

Step 3

Having introduced and explained your Cover Design Proposal, show your reviewers the mockup you have created so far, using it to further explain your design ideas and decisions.

Step 4

Review and discuss each of the design proposals and mockups from students in your group, using the following questions to provide constructive feedback:

  1. What do you find interesting about the interpretation of the allegory and the character suggested by the design?

  2. What do you find confusing or inconsistent?

  3. What do the central images of the character and other complementary images communicate about the interpretation of the story?

  4. How does the choice of copy communicate and complement the graphic interpretation of the story?

  5. How might the copy be revised or improved?

  6. Overall, what are the strengths of the design?

  7. How might the design be enhanced or improved?

Step 5

For one other student from your review team, complete a feedback form to provide constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement.

Step 6

Now, complete a feedback form in which you evaluate your own work.

As you listen to constructive feedback from each of the members of your review team, and later review the feedback form completed by your review partner, use a new form to self-assess your design so far, recording observations and ideas you may want to address as you finalize your cover design for the Culminating Task.

Activity 3: Write

We will review and submit our portfolio of evidence for the section 2 diagnostic.

Compile and finalize the evidence you will submit to your teacher for the Section 3 Diagnostic:

  1. Your explanation of an evidence-based claim (short response) comparing Bragaru and your interpretations of Orwell’s allegory (Portfolio Question 1, Lesson 3)

  2. Your explanation of an evidence-based claim about an interesting visual interpretation of the story and how it aligns with your own interpretation of the allegory (Portfolio Question 2, Lesson 4)

  3. Your Cover Design Proposal in which you communicate your interpretation of the allegory and your character’s symbolic role and explain your proposed design for an original book cover (Portfolio Questions 3 and 4, Lessons 5)

  4. A Cover Design Mockup of your book cover that includes one or more selected or created images of your character, a graphic representation of the book’s title and author’s name, and informational copy to accompany the graphic elements of your design (Portfolio Question 4, Lesson 6) (see the Cover Design Brief for more instructions)

  5. Your self-assessment using the Section 3 Diagnostic Cover Design Feedback Form to make a list of constructive ideas for improving your design that have emerged from your review. You will also submit the feedback form done for you by your review partner.

Activity 4: Write

We will reflect on our work on the Section Diagnostic and assess our progress on the Culminating Task.

Step 1

Choose at least three of the questions below and respond to them in your Learning Log:

  1. How well did you take necessary action to prepare for the task?

  2. What went well for you during the completion of this task?

  3. What did you struggle with during the completion of this task? How did you push through that struggle?

  4. How well did you actively focus your attention during this independent task?

  5. How well did you develop and use an effective and efficient process to maintain workflow during this task?

  6. What would you do differently during the next Section Diagnostic?

Now, find and review your Culminating Task Progress Tracker. Think about all you have learned and done during this section of the unit. Evaluate your skills and knowledge to determine how prepared you are for the Culminating Task.

  • Add or refine any skills and content knowledge required for the Culminating Task.

  • Evaluate how well you are mastering skills and knowledge required for the Culminating Task.

Step 2

Review the Central Question of the unit:

How do authors develop themes and commentary through allegorical stories and characters?

Use the following questions to guide a discussion with a partner or small group:

  1. What new knowledge do you have that relates to the Central Question?

  2. What are you still curious about that relates to the Central Question?

  3. What is the relationship between the Central Question and the texts you have read so far? How do the texts shed light on the question? How does the question help you understand the texts?

  4. How has your response to the question evolved, deepened, or changed?

In your Learning Log, write your response to Question 3. You will return to this response in later lessons to examine how your understanding of the Central Question has evolved.

Activity 5: Write

For homework, we will read Téa Obreht’s introduction to the 75th anniversary edition of Animal Farm.

Read Téa Obreht’s Introduction to the 75th Anniversary edition of Animal Farm.

Use the following guiding questions as you read:

  1. What stands out about how the Obreht seems to view the topic?

  2. What stands out about how Obreht has structured the text and its parts?

  3. How might Obreht’s perspective compare to your own? To what extent do you agree or disagree with Oreht’s and the text’s ideas?