The World of The Giver

Introduction

Welcome to The Giver WebQuest! Here you will be able to explore and discuss the world of The Giver where a perfect utopia exists. But is Jonas's world actually perfect? It's true that there is no hunger, pain, war, or hatred. But in exchange for all of this perfection, the members of this community live in ignorant bliss, free from the burden of choices and the pressure of individuality. In order to evaluate what such a world is like, you will be placed into groups and given the opportuniy to discuss a utopia, create your own, and evaluate the world of The Giver. 

Task

Once you are placed into groups, you will be given a list of themes, smbols ad motifs from The Giver. You and your group will choose two symbols, and one motif and theme to evaluate and analyze. Once you have completed that portion or the assignment, you will then discuss the meaning of a utopian society what it would look like if you could create your own. Watch the following info for more information!

[video:https://youtu.be/VpEMb2rz9pI?list=PL0kNy6HFrMpNjnrTZ8YZYSyMGpkt2xbUd align:center]

Process

Task 1

Choose two symbols and one theme from the following list. What do the symbols mean to you, and what message do you think the author was trying to send with those symbols? Use evidence from the book to support your answer. From the list of themes, chose one that you feel is most strongly represented in the book and analyze it. Choose at least three passages from the book that support your answer. Finally, choose one motif from the list. Analyze it and discuss the meaning of the motif during The Giver and how it supports the major theme that you chose. 

Symbols                                                     Themes                                                Motifs

The sled                                  Importance of Memory                          Vision

    Gabriel                                     Pain versus Pleasure                         Nakedness

The color red                           Individuality v. Sameness                        Release

The River                                          Feelings                                       

 

Task 2

With your group, discuss utopian society and what it means to you. If you could create a utopia, what would it be like? What qualities would it have? Would you be willing to give up your freedoms and individuality in order for such a world to exist? If faced with Jonas's situations, would you make the same decisions or different ones? Explain your answer. 

Task 3

Once you have discussed and created what a perfect utopia would look like and you have evaluated the symbols, themes, and motifs, create a short PowerPoint presentation in order to present your findings to the class. The PowerPoint should be no longer than ten slides including the title page. 

        

Evaluation

Rubric
Excellant Very Good Acceptable

Needs

Development

 Unacceptable Points
Focus on task Student onsistantly stays on taska and  puts forth a considerable effort to complete project. Maintains a positive attitude. Student focuses on the task and does what needs to be done, most of the time. Mostly maintains a positive attitude. Student focuses on the task but is occasionally distracted by other activities and sometimes needs reminding from other group memebers. Attitude is mostly positive.  Student displays an attempt to focus on the task but is unable to stay commited. The group has to make up the work for the student and his or her attitude is primarily negative.  Student is not attentive to the group work nor does he or she make an attempt to stay focused. Attitude is consistantly negative.     25

Contribution to

Group

 Student puts forth a great effort to contribute to group work and completes his or her portion thoroughly and quickly.  Student puts forth an effort to complete his or her group work but is sometimes distracted and does not finish research as quickly as possible. Work is somewhat thorough.  The student completes his or her task but takes longer than necessary to complete his or her work. Group memebers have to occasionally assist the student in completing their task, but the work is done thoroughly. Student attempts to complete his or her portion of the work but is easily distracted and requires help from one or more group member in order to be completed. However, the student does complete the task with help. Student makes no attempt to complete his or her work. Other group members have to make up the students work and the group work as a whole suffers.       25

Research and 

Evidence

 The student's portion of research and evidence is thoroughly completed and relative to the project. The student accurately researches and presents evidence, however some evidence may be irrelevant.  The student does well with his or her evidence and research, however some evidence is used incorrectly or uneccesary.  The student makes a good effort to find evidence but struggles to find appropriate evidenciary support within the literature. The student makes no attempt to complete research or find evidence. Other group members have to take time to make up the students work.    25

Presentation

 Presenation is created and completed accurately and thoroughly. Presentation is organized and appropriate.  Presentation is visually appealing and contains accurate information. Some information may be unecessary. Presentation is prepared and presented well, although some information may be inaccurate or uneccesary.  The presenation is presented in a decent manner, however some details need development. The presentation may be missing slides or information.  The presentation is not completed and contains little to no research or information.     25

Total points available: 100

Conclusion

Now that you've successfully analyzed and evaluated The Giver, I want your feedback!

  • Please tell me how you liked The Giver WebQuest by answering the following questions:
    • What did you like best about the WebQuest and why? 
    • If you could change anything about the WebQuest, what would it be and why?
    • Do you feel like the WebQuest and its tasks gave you a better understanding of The Giver and the literary devices it used? How so?
    • Would you prefer to use a WebQuest in the future? 

Teacher Page

This WebQuest was created using the following resource:

The Giver: Utopia created by Anna Deliyiannis

http://zunal.com/teacherspage.php?w=4159

Utopia V. Dystopia by Tafheemwii

https://youtu.be/VpEMb2rz9pI?list=PL0kNy6HFrMpNjnrTZ8YZYSyMGpkt2xbUd