The Giver: Utopia

Introduction

Good morning Grade 12J:

In the lesson, we will explore the novel mastery of Lois Lowry based on the novel "The Giver." Many may be aware of the cinematic version of the novel, however, rest assured that the novel awakens the curiosities of all who dares turn its pages.

About Lois Lowry's Controversial Book, The Giver

 

Brief Synopsis:

In The Giver, Jonas lives in a utopian community; a perfect world where there is no hunger, pain, sickness, hatred or conflict of any kind. The price for such a society, however, is the loss of individual freedoms, including freedom of choice. Now is your chance to reflect on the utopian society in The Giver and then create your own!

 

Find attached in depth analysis on the novel

  1. https://www.softschools.com/literature/summary/the_giver/
  2. https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/giver/summary/

Find attached video analysis on the novel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqhALo6K-ww

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOCarNcY8MY

 

Task

Prepare yourselves to venture into the development and maintenance of a "perfect society" or "utopia." You will be working in groups to design and create a perfect society. The following will be completed:

  1. You will have the opportunity to articulate your own viewpoints/opinions on utopia.
  2. Research extensively on utopia and utopian communities.
  3. Upon completion of research, each group member will be allocated a specific community role;
  4. Collectively, you will design and create a utopia according to your roles.

Collectively as a group, you will be responsible for the development of your community, which will require co-operation and compromise. Upon completion, each group will present their utopia to the classroom.

Displaying items by tag: community development - Community Development Society

Process

Step One: First, as a class, you will define utopia in your own words and discuss what it means to live in one. Then, I will present a PowerPoint on utopia and we will further discuss utopia and its relation to The Giver.

Step Two: I will separate you into groups of five. Together you will research different utopias. Below, I have provided links that will inform you on different examples of utopias. Choose two and then, using a Venn Diagram, compare and contrast them. At the same time, write down what you like and dislike about the communities you are researching.

Step Three: Now that you are well-informed on the topic of utopia, it is time to start thinking about the utopia that you wish to create. In your group, answer the following questions.

  1. What kind of government should exist in your perfect society?
  2. What should the education system be like?
  3. How should the community members receive medical care?
  4. What kind of money should be used (if any) and how would it be distributed to community members?
  5. What kind of recreational activities should be available to community members and how would they participate?

Step Four: Now it is time to divide the group into community roles. The roles will be as follows:

  • Leader - The leader is responsible for the team's progress and is the liaison between the team and the teacher. You will be in charge of making sure that the team is cooperating, collaborating and compromising, when necessary. You will also be responsible for the type of government that will exist in your utopia.
  • Developer - The developer is responsible for mapping out the community, which includes natural resources, such as lakes and mountains. You will be responsible for drawing out the community design.
  • Planner - The planner is the team expert on issues such as education and medicine. you will be responsible for designing the community's education and health systems.
  • Accountant - The accountant is the team expert on money issues. You will be responsible for figuring out which monetary system to use and how the money will be generated and distributed. You will also be responsible for designing the money, if money is used.
  • Recreation Director - The recreation director is responsible for deciding which leisure activities will be available to the members of the community. You will be responsible for designing which kinds of activities the community will enjoy and decide how they will be implemented.

Once you have assigned the roles, you will be responsible for completing the following tasks:

  1. Draw a chart that shows how your utopian government will work. Explain the role of each group in the government.
  2. Draw a map of what your community will look like. This may include things such as bodies of water, public buildings, parks, houses, parking, schools, medical buildings, recreational areas, etc.
  3. Create a chart that shows what your education system will be like. Include information such as years of schooling, school hours and subjects that will be taught at each level.
  4. Create a chart showing how community members will receive health care. Include information on who provides the care, what kind of care the community members can receive and where they should go depending on the seriousness of the care they need.
  5. Draw a picture depicting what the houses will look like on the inside as well as the outside.
  6. Draw a picture of the money the community will be using. Create a chart showing how money will be used and distributed. If you are not using money, explain how people will use goods and services.
  7. Describe the different types of recreational activities that will be available to members of the community. Also, explain how they will be used (schedule, first come, first serve, etc.).
  8. Go back to your charts and maps and make sure that you have clearly labelled everything.

*If you need some ideas on government and monetary systems, here are some websites:

Step Five: You have been working hard! Now it's time to put it all together for the presentation! You will present based on your community roles:

  • Leader - In detail, show us how the government works in your utopian community. Also show us how laws are made and enforced.
  • Developer - Present the map of your utopian community. Make sure that you can explain why you planned it the way you did.
  • Planner - In detail, explain how the education and health care systems will work in your community. Make sure that you can explain why you formed these systems the way that you did.
  • Accountant - If money exists in your community, show us what it looks like. Explain, in detail, how money is generated and distributed. If money does not exist in your community, explain how the people of your community receive goods and services.
  • Recreation Director - Explain, in detail, the leisure activities that are available to the community. Explain how community members will participate in these communities. Make sure that you can explain why you chose these activities.

Once each member has prepared his or her portion of the presentation, the group members will meet to view the work so far. Make suggestions on any necessary improvements and then put together the final presentation.

The Presentation will last approximately 20 minutes for each group. You may present any way that you choose (PowerPoint, slides, video, etc.). 

Evaluation

# Exemplary 4 Very Good 3 Developing 2 Beginning 1 Score
Focus on Task/ Attitude Consistently stays focused on the task and what needs to be done. Very self-directed. -Never is publicly critical of the project or the work of others. Always has a positive attitude about the task(s). -Focuses on the task and what needs to be done most of the time. Other group members can count on this person. -Rarely is publicly critical of the project or the work of others. Often has a positive attitude about the task(s). -Focuses on the task and what needs to be done some of the time. Other group members must sometimes nag, prod, and remind to keep this person on-task. -Occasionally is publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. Usually has a positive attitude about the task(s). -Rarely focuses on the task and what needs to be done. Lets others do the work. -Often is publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. Often has a negative attitude about the task(s). %25
Participation/ Shared Responsibility -A true team member who contributes a lot of effort, and encourages and supports the efforts of others in the group. -Follows through on assigned tasks and does not depend on others to do the work, responsibility for tasks is shared evenly. -A strong group member who tries hard. -Follows through on most assigned tasks. -Sometimes a satisfactory group member who does what is required. -Does not follow through on most assigned tasks and sometimes depends on others to do the work. -Sometimes chooses not to participate and does not complete assigned tasks. -Seldom or never follows through on assigned tasks. Depends on others to do all of the work. %25
Research and Information Sharing/ Individual Contributions -Routinely gathers research and shares useful ideas when participating in the group discussion. Defends/ rethinks ideas relating to the group’s project goals. -Performed all duties of assigned team role and contributed knowledge, opinions, and skills to share with the team. Always did the assigned work. -Usually provides useful research and ideas when participating in the group discussion. -Performed nearly all duties of assigned team role and contributed knowledge, opinions, and skills to share with the team. Completed most of the assigned work. -Sometimes provides useful research and ideas when participating in the group discussion. -Performed a few duties of assigned team role and contributed a small amount of knowledge, opinions, and skills to share with the team. Completed some of the assigned work. -Rarely provides useful research or ideas when participating in the group discussion. -Did not perform any duties of assigned team role and did not contribute knowledge, opinions or skills to share with the team. Relied on others to do the work. %25
Group Contributions/ Presentation -All team members contributed equally to the finished project. -Well organized, well rehearsed with smooth delivery. -Assisted group in the finished project. -Organized, rehearsed with fairly smooth delivery. -Finished individual task but did not assist group/partner during the project. -Needs work, fairly organize, delivery not smooth. -Contributed little to the group effort during the project. -Not organized, delivery not smooth, audience often lost. %25

Total Score: %100

Conclusion

Reflection in action: A case for case studies amid COVID-19

Congratulations on your presentations! You now know a lot about utopia and utopian societies. Through group work and group presentation, you have even created your own! Now you know a little bit more about what it takes to work collaboratively to present an idea. It's not easy, but you did it!

 

Now, I would like your feedback! Please reflect on this webquest and let me know what you think!

Answer the following:

  1. What was the most difficult part about completing this webquest? Elaborate on your answer.
  2. What did you find the most interesting about this webquest? Why did you find it interesting?
  3. Would you recommend that future classes be required to complete this project? Elaborate on your answer.

Credits

This webquest was adapted from the following webquests:

Future Webquest

The Giver

The Giver (2)

The Perfect Society Webquest

Teacher Page

The objectives of the lesson:

  1. Have learners critically engage the content - in the form of research
  2. Have learners analyse the content and apply their knowledge
  3. Have learners collaborate on workstreams
  4. Develop the research confidence of learners

Overall, all objectives were met in the execution of the lesson.

 

Author: Ashwin Jansen (218191189)

Grade applicable: Grade 12 - English Home Language

Date: 25 May 2021