LEARNING STATION #1 – I SPY

Each one of you will select a different classmate (not in

your group) and watch that person for five straight
minutes.
Try to watch them discreetly, so that they are unaware of
your surveillance. As you observe them, keep careful
notes and write down any observations you can make
about their behavior.
After five minutes, write down a summary of their
character and personality based only on what you’ve just
seen. Please refrain from being insulting or hurtful.

Finally, answer this question yourself: How did it feel to

watch someone in this fashion?
LEARNING STATION #2 – A PERFECT WORLD?

Utopia – an ideally perfect place, especially in its social,

political, and moral aspects.

As a group, brainstorm on this word and discuss what

would be present in such a world.
Be sure and consider the needs of all people, not just
yourself. Then discuss what would be missing. Make a
list for each.
Then answer these questions:
How would it feel to live in such a world?
Is such a world possible? Why or why not?

NOW DO THE SAME EXERCISE FOR A DYSTOPIA.

LEARNING STATION #3 – Newspeak
In the novel 1984, Newspeak is the only language in the world
whose vocabulary gets smaller every year. Orwell included an
essay about Newspeak at the end of the book where he explains
the rules of the language. Newspeak is closely based on English
but has a greatly reduced and simplified vocabulary and
grammar. For example, "good" means "to love Big Brother." The
word "free" exists in Newspeak, but only in cases like this: "The
field is free from weeds." But ideas like "politically free,"
"freedom of speech," or "freedom of religion" do not exist in
Newspeak. Since these phrases are forbidden, in Oceania, these
ideas are also disappearing. Thus, Newspeak suits the total power
of the Party who aims to make everybody think in the same way.
The Party rules the world through language, and because of
Newspeak, freedom, love, and truth are dying.

The aim of Newpspeak was to have as few words as possible.

Any word could be negatived by adding the affix un- or

could be strengthened by the affix plus-, or, for still
greater emphasis, doubleplus-. Thus, for example, uncold
meant ‘warm’, while pluscold and doublepluscold meant,
respectively, ‘very cold’ and ‘superlatively cold’. With, for
instance, the word good, there was no need for such a
word as bad, since the required meaning was equally well
—indeed, better—expressed by ungood.

Task-
Translate the following OLDSPEAK into NEWSPEAK

‘The reporting of Big Brother’s Order for the day in the

Times of December 3rd 1983 is extremely
unsatisfactory and makes references to non- existent
persons. Re- write it in full and submit your draft to
higher authority before filing’
 LEARNING STATION #4 –
1984 is part of our culture

Read the enclosed lyrics to the song by the rock band

Incubus called “Talk Shows on Mute”. As a group,
discuss your interpretations of the song, especially the
chorus.

Answer these questions:

What does the chorus mean?
What about the rest of the song? Be sure to mention
specific lines.
EXTRA: This song is from the album “A Crow Left of
the Murder”. Although you may not know it, the word
for a flock of crows is murder, as in: “A murder of crows
flew past my window.” Given this knowledge, what do
you think is behind the title of Incubus’s album?
 Take a bow, pack on powder,
Wash 'em out with buzzing lights,
Pay an audience to care,
'Impress me' personality.

Still and transfixed,

The electric sheep are dreaming of your face.
Enjoy you from the chemical,
Comfort of America.

Come one, come all

Into 1984

Yeah, three, two, one

Lights, Camera, Transaction

Quick, your time is almost up.

Make all forget that they're the moth,
Edging in towards the flame,
Burn into obscurity.

Still and transfixed,

The electric sheep are dreaming up your fate.
And judge you from the card castle,
Comfort of America.

Come one, come all

Into 1984
Yeah, three, two, one
Lights, Camera... yeah.

Come one, come all

Into 1984
Yeah, three, two one
Lights, Camera, Transaction

Lights, Camera, Transaction

Come one, come all

Into 1984
Yeah, three, two, one
Lights, Camera, Transaction

Your foundation is canyoning,

Fault lines should be worn with pride.
I hate to say, so much more,
You're so much more,
Endearing with the sound turned off.
Homework

NON-FICTION RESPONSE – CONTEMPORARY PROPAGANDA

How do we know what we know? How much of our knowledge about the
outside world is based on first-hand experience? What are our sources
for information? How reliable are they?

The way we see the world is largely influenced by outside forces --- and
propaganda. The trick is to be able to identify propaganda when you see
it so that you are not taken in unawares. Propaganda can be something
simple and obvious --- like a TV commercial --- or it can be subtler, like a
politician’s speech. It comes in many forms, and is literally all around us
ALL THE TIME

You will be locating, analyzing, and explaining an example of modern-

day propaganda.
It may be an example of visual propaganda, written propaganda, or even
aural (sound).

. Here are the items your response needs to cover:

1) Describe the example you have found --- where did it come from
and what does it look like?--- use imagery and assume the reader is
unfamiliar with the example

2) Explain what the example is trying to do --- what belief or reaction

does it aim to cause?

3) Give your personal opinion of the example --- is it effective?

Disturbing? Misleading? Dangerous? BE SPECIFIC.
 LEARNING STATION GUIDELINES

1) YOU WILL HAVE TEN MINUTES TO

SPEND AT EACH STATION --- DO NOT
WASTE YOUR TIME!

2) TAKE YOUR PAPER AND A PEN WITH

YOU TO EACH STATION --- YOU WILL
BE REQUIRED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

3) FOR EACH ENTRY, WRITE DOWN THE

NUMBER OF THE LEARNING STATION
THE ENTRY CORRESPONDS TO

4) ALTHOUGH YOU MAY DISCUSS YOUR

RESPONSES, EACH GROUP MEMBER
MUST WRITE RESPONSES OF THEIR
OWN

5) WHEN TIME IS CALLED, RETURN THE

LEARNING STATION INSTRUCTIONS TO
THE ENVELOPE AND MOVE ON TO THE
NEXT STATION