The Giver | Create WebQuest

Introduction

When students read The Giver, they are often amazed and frustrated by the lack of choices the members of the community have.Just as startling is the state of ignorance in which Jonas and the other community members live. The community in The Giver was created as a utopian society; however, things went very wrong in this "perfect world." Now it is your turn to create your own utopia.

Task

The Task

The year is 3010.You have been given the opportunity to start a new society on a deserted island that is fully equipped with all needed amenities and modern technology.The island is not owned or under the influence of any nation.It is your responsibility to inhabit the island in any manner that you choose.By completing the following assignments and working cooperatively, if you choose to, you will build the Perfect Society and will introduce your society to the class. Start by reading the novel in one of the links bellow.

Read The Giver Chapters Summary Here:

1. English version: http://www.shmoop.com/the-giver/summary.html

2. Spanish Version: http://www.scribd.com/doc/25442173/1993-The-Giver-Traduccion-M%C2%AA-Luisa-Balseiro

Process

The Process

Step One: What is a Utopia?

Use the following web sites to research the concept of "utopia." The second web site has lots of detailed information on utopia. Decide which parts are relevant to your project, and split the reading up into sections. Do your research and then discuss which of the information you've acquired will be shared. Come up with a definition of utopia. Tell what utopia means to you.

Definition of utopia
Utopian Philosophy - how to achieve it, merging reality and utopia and views of what utopia may be like

Step 2: Research utopias

Visit the four sites of utopias that exist today.Pick two that your group likes and using a Venn Diagram compare and contrast two of the utopias then write a one to two page(s) essay comparing and contrasting the two utopias.

The Acorn Community of Virginia
The Farm in Tennessee
Twin Oaks Community in Virginia
Victory City - A City Under One Roof

Step 3:Choosing a type of government

Since the island is not owned or under the rule of a nation, you must decide on the type of government you wish to live under. Using the web on the forms of government , fill in the information regarding the four major forms of government, Dictatorship, Oligarchy, Direct Democracy, Representative Democracy.After you have the information on each of the form of governments, you must decide the form of government that you wish to have.You may mix various aspects of different forms of government and create something new then write a one page description of your government.

Step 4:Choosing a leader

You now need to choose a leader(s) for your society. Research some web sites that discuss the qualities of a good leader.

use this site; http://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyaprive/2012/12/19/top-10-qualities-that-make-a-great-leader/

Here are some questions to answer that will help you determine your leader(s).

-What are the positive and negative characteristics of a good leader?-What qualities would the leader(s) of your society need to possess?Once you have looked at the sites and brainstormed ideas to answer the above questions, you must decide on the leader of your Utopia.Write a one page biography of your leader.Be creative!

Step 5:Aspects of your society

Choose a minimum of three aspects for this part! (can also choose more). For each of the following items write one paragraph describing how each aspect fits into your society:

-Plant and animal life

-Climatic and geographical features

-Family units and child rearing responsibilities

-Education

-Transportation

-Energy sources

-Employment

-Distribution of property and wealth

-Inter Community relations

-The Media

-Fashion

-Leisure

-Sports

-Crime

-How the elderly are taken care of

-Music/entertainment

Step 6: Oral Presentation

Once the written part of the work is completed, each student will proceed to present their own Utopias in an oral presentation.

-Each presentation must be accompanied by a visual aid (power point, poster drawing, etc) that brings to life your Utopian World.

-The presentations will last a minimum of 3 minutes and to a maximum of 5 for each student.

- Be sure to print out the evaluation criteria for the oral presentation, in the Evaluation tab, and bring it to class the same day as you hand over the written work.

-Be prepare to answer questions concerning the presentation

Evaluation

Evaluation Criteria

READ CAREFULLY!

Your project will be graded in the following manner:

Step 1: What is a utopia? (20 points)

(Make sure these questions are found on your work in order to receive your full points. Not straight answer, but implied.)

Is your definition based on information you learned from the two web sites that you examined?

Is your definition in your own words or just copied from the two web sites?

Is your definition clear and easy to understand?

Step 2: Research utopias—- Compare /contrast essay (20 points)

Step 3: Choosing a type of government - One page description (20 points)

Step 4: Choosing a Leader (20pts)

Step 5: Aspects of Society (20pts)

Total points awardede: 100 pts

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grading Rubric for Steps 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5:

Proficiency Level 4 - Expert - 100-90 points

Student work reflects a thorough understanding of purpose and audience. The controlling idea is clear and concise and makes a judgment on the topic(s).The controlling idea is consistently developed and is based on established criteria. All facts and details are relevant and accurate.

Proficiency Level 3 – Practitioner - 89-80 points

Student work reflects an understanding of purpose and audience. The controlling idea is clear and conveys a judgment on the topic(s).The controlling idea is based on established criteria. Most facts and details are relevant and accurate. References to text are appropriate and are quoted and/or paraphrased correctly.

Proficiency Level 2 – Apprentice - 79-70 points

Student work reflects some understanding of purpose and audience. There is a controlling idea that may make a judgment on the topic(s).The controlling idea may be inconsistently developed and may or may not be based on established criteria. Some facts and details are relevant and accurate. Referencing the text is attempted. An introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion are present.

Proficiency Level 1 – Novice - 70-60 points

Student work reflects a minimal understanding of purpose and audience. The controlling idea may or may not be developed or based on established criteria. Some facts and details are irrelevant and/or inaccurate parts may be repetitious referencing the text is inaccurate or missing organization is weak.

Proficiency Level 0 – 59-0 points

Work is not developed enough to be graded.

Utopian World Oral Presentation Rubric:

Oral Presentation Rubric: My Utopian World

Student Name: ________________________ Group: ______________ Date: _________

CATEGORY	10	5	3	0
Content	Shows a full understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.	Does not seem to understand the topic very well.
Preparedness	Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.	Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.	The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.	Student does not seem at all prepared to present.
Vocabulary	Uses vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Extends audience vocabulary by defining words that might be new to most of the audience.	Uses vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Includes 1-2 words that might be new to most of the audience, but does not define them.	Uses vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Does not include any vocabulary that might be new to the audience.	Uses several (5 or more) words or phrases that are not understood by the audience.
Volume	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members throughout the presentation.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 90% of the time.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 80% of the time.	Volume often too soft to be heard by all audience members.
Enthusiasm	Facial expressions and body language generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.	Facial expressions and body language sometimes generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.	Facial expressions and body language are used to try to generate enthusiasm, but seem somewhat faked.	Very little use of facial expressions or body language. Did not generate much interest in topic being presented.
Time-Limit	Presentation is 5-6 minutes long.	Presentation is 4 minutes long.	Presentation is 3 minutes long.	Presentation is less than 3 minutes OR more than 6 minutes.

Total points: _________ Teacher’s Signature: ___________________

Conclusion

Conclusion

Once this project has been completed, hand it over on the assigned date given by the teacher. you must also prepare yourself to give an oral presentation of your Utopian world and be ready to take a short test (not quiz) on the novel The Giver.

Credits

Credits & References

·Lois Lowry’s The Giver was read by the students

·Project grading rubric designed by Jose D. Caban- SU. Cayetano Coll Y Toste- English 9th grade

Teacher Page

Teacher Page

This project was created as part of the evaluation for the English class course of the SU. Cayetano Coll y Toste 9th grade student body.The complete project can be found on this web site as well as with the students given sheet, containing all the instructions to follow for the completion of this work.

Students are require to have read the novel The Giver by Lois Lowry and have design their own utopia following the steps written in the web quest (web page found on the sheet with the instructions). They must edit and hand-in the require information no later than May 4th 2014. At that time they will work on presenting their work to the class.

For questions and doubts regarding this project, please contact Prof. Caban via e-mail: jdcaban9240@gmail.com

Thanks for your support

GOOD LUCK!