Introduction
Jonas, the main characterer in The Giver, lives in a "perfect" world. There is no war, hunger, fear, poverty, or pain.
Would you like to live in a community like this? What would be the benefits? What might be some of the drawbacks? (Discuss these questions with your partner.)
Watch the trailer to the movie The Giver and read the first four chapters for next week.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJNNugNe0Wo align:center]
Task
Over the course of this quarter, while reading The Giver, you are going to create your own perfect community. How does it function? What is the government like? What rules are enforced? How is money and healthcare handled?
You may work in a group of three or four to complete this project.
For your final product will be a prezi that includes the above information.
Process
STEP ONE: You will be assigned two or three other partners to work with.
STEP TWO: Research the meaning of the term utopia and write a TYPED paragraph explaining why the community Jonas lives in is a utopia. Give explicit examples from the text in your response. (Week 2)
STEP THREE: Research other communities that have adopted a utopian like society and complete the utopian comparison chart attached at the bottom of this page. Specifically research:
a. Twin Oaks
STEP FOUR: Research government types to help you decide what type of government your community will have. Check out the following websites to make your decision. Complete the Government Research Notes Chart on the bottom of this page. At the conclusion of your research, please choose what type of government will be present in your community.
a. Different Types of Government
b. CBBC Newsround Types of Government
STEP FIVE: Research types of currency to help you decide what type of currency your communtiy will use. Click on the following links to gather information about currency in different countries. You are to choose FIVEactual countries to gather information on. Complete the Money Graphic Organizer on the bottom of this page.
a. Fact Monster
b. Currency
STEP SIX: Now that you have an idea about utopia and other communities that have adopted this idea; it is time to create your own. Type your answer to each question being sure to restate each question in your response. Use the information from steps two through five to assist you with this process. RESPONSES TO EACH QUESTION SHOULD BE 6 TO 10 SENTENCES IN LENGTH.
1. What is the name of your community? Where is it located?
2. What type of utopia is present in your community (political, economic, scientific) Give specific examples of how your community is any particular type of utopia.
3. What kind of government is present in your community?
a. How are decisions made? Who makes those decisions?
b. Are there specific rules your community must follow?
4. What will the educational system be like?
a. How old are children when they enter school?
b. At what age will a child "graduate" from school?
c. Do they receive special training for adulthood?
d. Does your educational system include holidays?
e. What are the school hours? What does the school day look like?
5. How should the community members receive medical care?
a. Is it free for all community members?
b. Are there limits as to the type of medical care an individual can get?
c. How does your community handle emergencies? Do you have a hospital or a clinic? Is there a pharmacy in your community?
6. Is there a limit on how many members are accepted into your community? What is the process to becoming a member of your community (i.e. interview, application, etc...)?
7. What kind of money is used (if any) and how will it be distributed to community members? (refer to Step 5)
8. What kind of recreational activities are available to community members and how will they participate? Be specific.
9. Are jobs assigned? Who makes those decisions?
STEP SEVEN: Create a map of your community. Your picture must include five points of interest (i.e. important buildings, bodies of water, boundaries, dwellings, gardens, etc...). Include a key that identifies the five points of interest.
STEP EIGHT: Create a Prezi that illustrates what your community is like. You must adhere to the following guidelines:
1. You must include pictures, videos, your map, sound and transitions.
2. Use your information from step 6 to create your prezi.
3. You must include a list of sources
4. When presenting, explain each slide (do not read directly from the slide).
a. Prezi
IMPORTANT DUE DATES:
1. Utopia Definition and Utopian Comparison Chart
2. Government Research Notes and Money Graphic Organizer
3. Planning Questions
4. Presentations will take place
Evaluation
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Conclusion
Congratulations!
You have finished!
I hope that you enjoyed the assignment and learned something in the process. Good luck on your test over The Giver.
Credits
Ideas were taken from
Webcast: The Giver: Create a Perfect Community by Shana Cole
Teacher Page
This was designed with eighth graders as my target, I plan on giving them approximately 45 minutes a week over the course of a quarter to finish the project.
Make sure you know how to use Prezi before beginning. Could be modified to a powerpoint presentation.
This could be a project for the end of the unit, I am doing it as I have students read the novel.