If you’re in the US and have been following the news, you're aware of the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. You’re likely feeling that same heavy pit in your stomach that I am as the current administration tries to spin her murder into an act of self defense. As a Mexican immigrant and a mother, I can’t/won't ignore this. In our secular homeschool, education isn't just about finishing a curriculum; it’s about giving our kids the tools to recognize a boot before it’s on their neck.
In light of the current political ambience and the increasing dehumanization of immigrants and other marginalized communities, George Orwell’s Animal Farm is no longer just a historical allegory on our shelf. It has become a vital mirror. Our choice of living books must do more than just offer a story. It must provide a framework for our children to navigate their reality. In our homeschool, we don’t just teach the what, we teach the how. We are raising children who can recognize the mechanics of power and the subtle ways language is manipulated to strip people of their humanity.
Orwell’s farm illustrates how easily a scapegoat is created to distract from systemic failures. This is a theme that feels chillingly relevant as we witness the ongoing persecution of minorities. If we don’t teach our children to recognize the propaganda in modern headlines, we leave them vulnerable to the same erosion of memory that plagued the animals on the farm. As we are reminded in the text, "no animal shall kill another animal." This was a rule that, in the story, was eventually edited in the dark of night to justify state violence.
By discussing state authority and the shadow rules that often govern it, we are ensuring that our own story and our lived experiences remain intact and unedited by those in power. I’m sharing a low-prep, 4 part Animal Farm unit study. This guide bridges the gap between Orwell’s chapters and the hard truths of our current landscape, focusing on critical thinking and our collective liberation. You can download the FREE study guide below to help your family process these ideas together at the hearth.