Project Utopia Web Quest

Introduction

Project Utopia

Many people find themselves frustrated at the ending of The Giver because they want to know what happens to Jonas and the baby. Some are amazed while others are unsatisfied by the lack of choices the members of the community are afforded.  Just as startling is the state of ignorance in which Jonas and the other community members live. The community where Jonas and his family reside is based on a concept called utopian societies or communities.  This term will be extremely important in helping you create your own utopia.

 

This is web quest is designed to help you understand this concept better. Be sure to go in order as you go to the following links to help you define your goals and complete your task.  Each of the links will help you gather the necessary knowledge needed to finalize your task.  BE SURE TO READ EVERYTHING ON THE SCREEN or HANDOUTS!  This will allow you to keep mistakes to a minimum!   Have fun!

Task

The year is 3010.  You and your team members have been given the opportunity to establish 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 the responsibility of your group to inhabit the island in any manner you choose.  By completing the following assignments and working cooperatively, your group (partners) will build the Perfect Society and will introduce your society to the class.  

GROUP DIVISIONS

THE LEADER

 

As the leader, you will decide on a name and where the community will be located. It is up to you how you finalize this information. You may let the group vote or you can use your power as leader to determine these requirements. Your members will come to you to ask for approval of their decisions. It is important that you share this information with your group so they will have the information needed to complete their own research. As leader, you will decide the form of government your community will use. Remember that this is a utopian community, and anarchy is most likely not an option. Use the sites of other communities to find what you think will work best. 

 

The Developer

As the developer, you will work with the planner to decide what types of buildings will be necessary for the survival of your community. You will be entirely responsible for mapping out the community, making sure to include natural resources found on your land like waterways, farmland, and other natural terrain features. Be sure to discuss decisions with your leader and group members by asking for input because these decisions affect how others in the group must plan in response. For example, the accountant will need to know how much land you devote to farming so he/she can take this into account when determining income. 

The Planner

As the planner, it is essential that you work closely with both the developer and the accountant. You will be responsible for deciding on issues such as education, medicine, religion, and housing. The developer will need to design and leave space for schools, hospitals, and other community required spaces and building. The developer will also need to know if s/he should build houses or communal living spaces. The accountant will help you decide if you can afford all the things you want to include. You will also have to help the accountant decide on how residents will have an income. Will your community members hold outside jobs in order to support themselves financially? What jobs are required to keep the community functioning? Consider these and other similar questions as part of your task and always remember to discuss your decisions with your leader. 

 

The Accountant

As the accountant, you will have to decide how your community will make its living. You can use other utopian communities for ideas and inspiration. Remember to consult your leader when making decisions. You will also have to decide if the monetary resources will be communal or how much people will contribute and how often. You and the planner will also have to determine if your community will include such necessities as doctors. Will you manufacture your own medicines? Will you be self-sustaining in areas such as food and energy? Will you purchase any of your necessities from neighboring communities? At what cost? Consider these and other similar questions as you help create a community that can sustain itself and remain financially independent.

 

Recreation Director

As the recreation director, you get to decide on the fun stuff! Using your groups' choices for your community, you will decide what your members will do for fun. Research what other communities do and try to come up with some unique activities on your own. If you find that you need space on the property do not forget to consult with the developer. Also, you will need to keep in mind some of the choices the planner made. There are numerous religious activities to choose from, but if s/he decides not to have a religion in your community, you have to respect that. Don't forget to talk to your leader to get his/her input!

 

 

Advice on working together

Work together as you create your individual aspects of the community. If your planner decides to educate on the property and the developer did not design a schoolhouse, then it will be obvious that you did not consult each other. If the leader makes a decision you are unhappy with, you must respect his/her authority. You could always try to reach a compromise if you feel that strongly about something. It is your choice whether to include children in your community, but remember that your task is to create an environment in which Jonas and the baby will thrive. Not taking children into account is a sign of losing track of your goals. 

 

Your small group will need to utilize shared documents and files to allow your group members to work on the project virtually.

Process

THE PROCESS

Step One:  What is a Utopia? (Record all responses on your group Web Quest Guide posted to you in Google Classroom)

Use the following websites to research the concept of "utopia."  The second web site has lots of detailed information on utopia.  As a group, decide which parts are relevant to your project, and split the reading up into sections.  That way, each member can read a section and report back to the group.  Do your research and then discuss which of the information you've acquired will be shared.  As a group, come up with a definition of utopia.  Tell what utopia means to your group. Record your findings on the Web Quest Guide.

Definition of utopia

http://www.school.eb.com/all/eb/article-9074563?query=utopia&ct=null

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

http://users.erols.com/jonwill/

 Another discussion of utopia

http://www.ushistory.org/us/26b.asp

 

Step Two:  Research Utopian communities

1. Visit the four sites of utopias that exist today.  Select two your group wishes to compare.

2. Use the Web Quest Guide to collect the required information about the selected communities.

3. Using a Venn Diagram, compare and contrast two of the utopias.

 

 

Step Three:  Selecting 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.

1.  View the website on the forms of government at the following website - http://mocomi.com/types-of-government

2. Using the Online Edition of Encyclopedia Britannica, identify and record the key ideas regarding each of the following four major forms of government:

  • Dictatorship
  • Oligarchy
  • Direct Democracy
  • Representative Democracy


3. After you have the information on each of the form of governments, your group 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. 

4. Write a half page description of your government on your Webquest Guide.

 

 

Step Four:  Choosing a Leader

 You now need to choose a leader(s) for your society.

1. Visit the two following sites that discuss the qualities of a good 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?

2. Once you have looked at the two sites and brainstormed ideas to answer the above questions, you must decide on the leader of your group.  The leader need not be a member of your group, but it could be. 

3. Write a half page biography of your leader.  Be creative!

 

Step 5:  Aspects of your society

1. 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 and Sports
  • Crime and Punishment
  • Elderly and disabled
  • Music/Art/entertainment

 

 Step 6 – Create a Map and Key for your Community which includes: 

  1. Name of town or colony
  2. Directionals  (North, South, etc.)
  3. Mileage and directions from 2 large cities and ocean, rivers
  4. Landmarks
  5. Street names
  6. Landscaping (trees, park, etc.)
  7. Make your project 3 Dimensional in some way.    (Optional for a “C”)

Step 7- Parting Thoughts

What did you learn about utopian communities? Did your community differ from the democracy of the United States? How?  What sort of things did you consider when creating your utopia? What was the hardest part of your task? Where do Jonas and the baby fit into your new community? 

1. Respond to these questions in a well-developed paragraph that demonstrates what you learned from the process.

Conclusion

Once your group is finished with all requirements, you will share your society with the class.

1. Use a Google Slide Presentation to share the key components of your society:

Limit your slide show to no more than 6 slides

Discuss:

  • Philosophy and Community Principles
  • Form of Government
  • Lifestyle and Recreation
  • Labor and Economy (Jobs and Money)
  • Education System
  • Transportation, Infrastructure, and Services

 

2. Discuss key features of your map; focus on resources, housing, and land use

 

 

 

 

Evaluation

Assessment 



Your group will receive a group grade and each person will receive an individual participation grade. The group grade will be based on the overall evaluation of the project. The individual grade will be based on attention to detail and the contribution of specific components by each group member.

Evaluation Pointers – Read this to know what is expected!

Your group project will be graded in the following manner:

Step 1: What is a utopia? 5 points

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 Venn Diagram - 20 points

Step 3:        Choosing a type of government - description - 20 points

Step 4:        Choosing a leader - biography 20 points

Step 5:        Completed Webquest Guide– 20 points

Step 6:        Aspects of your Society clearly defined or shared with group – 25 points

Step 7:        Parting Thoughts, Creating your map, Presentation – 50 points

 

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Proficiency Level - Expert - 20-18 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. References to text are effective and are quoted and/or paraphrased correctly.

An attention getting introduction, richly developed body paragraphs, and a powerful conclusion are present.

Organization of ideas is evident with clear connections and smooth transitions.

All paragraphs include a main idea and supporting details. Transitional words and phrases are used skillfully.

Precise and appropriate language is used in a unique and original way.

Vocabulary from the text/genre is appropriately used.

Sentences are complete and are varied in style and length.

Consistent control of spelling, grammar, and mechanics is demonstrated.

Errors do not hinder comprehension.

Presentation/PowerPoint is organized and can definitely tell time and effort was given to this part of the project.

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Proficiency Level 3 – Practitioner - 17-15 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. A solid introduction, developed by body paragraphs and an effective conclusion are present. Organization of ideas is evident with connections and transitions. All paragraphs include a main idea and supporting details. Transitional words and phrases are used. Language use is appropriate. Vocabulary from the text/genre is appropriately used. Most sentences are complete with some variety in style and length. Control of spelling, grammar, and mechanics is demonstrated. Errors do not hinder comprehension. Presentation/Paper is neat.

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Proficiency Level 2 – Apprentice - 14-10 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. Organization of ideas is somewhat apparent with few connections. Paragraphs may include a main idea and supporting details. Transitional words and phrases are used but may be inappropriate or repetitive. Language use is simplistic. Some vocabulary from the text/genre is present but may be used inappropriately. Sentence structure is simplistic and may contain fragments and/or run-ons. Some control of spelling, grammar, and mechanics is demonstrated. Errors may hinder comprehension. Paper may appear to be a rough draft.

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Proficiency Level 1 – Novice - 9-5 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. 

Conclusion

Hopefully, you have learned how to work as a team in the process of designing your own utopian community. Each person must do their part to make this project successful. 

Points to ponder...

Are utopian societies feasible?

What are the appeals and detractors?

How does your society compare to Jonas'?