Accelerated Civics 2014
The
GIVER
Story Summary
The Giver by Lois Lowry is a compelling story
about a futuristic society in which all of the
needs of tis citizens seem to have been met.
Protected from poverty, hunger, disease, and
violence, people appear happy and content.,
obediently following the many rules and rituals the society requires. Jonas doesn't question his role in society and is eagerly awaiting his Assignment — the job he will do as a
adult — when he turns twelve.
Throughout this journey, we will discover
with Jonas we will discover that his world is
far from perfect. Which sacred freedoms we
enjoy would we have to give up to have a
world that is free from poverty, hunger, disease and violence...
Brainstorm:
What is a UTOPIA? And what would you perfect world be like?
NOTES: Utopia:
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Themes we will explore:
RANKINGS
*The needs of society versus the needs of the individual (1)
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*”Sameness” versus obedience (2)
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*Security versus risks (3)
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* How to create a just Society (4)
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* The Value of Freedom (5)
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ACTIVITY 1 You’re HIRED!
You have just been hired to create the PERECT society. Complete the following.
Who would rule? ________________________________________________________________________
Chose TWO specific problems in society and come up with a way to fix it..
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Create THREE new RULES for your society, explain who it would affect and how it would be enforced/punished?
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WORDS TO KNOW
As we read through the
story, write down words
you don’t know in this
space and look them up
later.
Analyze the structure of the society Jonas lives in.
1.
What are some of the rules of the society that Jonas lives in? How do the rules make
people feel? How does Jonas feel about the rules?
2.
What happens if you don’t follow the rules? Who gets punished and how? Why were
rules “very hard to change” (p __)?
3.
What do you think it means to be release (p. ___)? When does it happen? How do
people feel about it?
4.
To what extent are the rules of Jonas’s society like those of your society? What differences are most striking?
Explore whether or not this is a fair society.
1.
Why was it “considered rude to call attention to things that were unsettling or different
about individuals” (p. __)?
2.
Why do you think mirrors were rare ( p. ___)?
3.
To what extent are people all the same in this society? To what extent are they equal?
4.
Is a society in which everyone is treated the same, fair or just?
5. What is the relationship between equality and justice?
ACTIVITY 2 Real or Ideal?
Review the chart you created in the beginning with your perfect society and think about the problems in Jonas’ society. Compare and contrast Jonas’s society with the ideal society. How do your
problems and solutions compare with that of Jonas’s. Which society do you prefer so far, ours,
your ideal society or Jonas’s?
What are you attracted to in your choice or appealing about the society you have chosen. Create a
radio, television, newspaper or billboard promoting your society as a great place to live!
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DUE DATE: _______________________________
25 Points
WORDS TO KNOW
As we read through the
story, write down words
you don’t know in this
space and look them up
later.
Discuss how the society controlled the individual.
1.
Why does everyone have the same birthday? Why does everyone have a number?
How does this make people fell? How would this make you feel?
2.
What happens if a Twelve doesn’t like his or her assignment?
3.
Do you think all the Assignments are equal and respected? Why or why not?
4.
Are the Assignments fair? Why or why not?
5.
The Chief Elder says “Today we honor your differences. They have determined your
futures.” (p. 52) Does society value differences or sameness? What clues help you decide?
Explore whether or not this is a fair society.
7.
As more is revealed about the society, how do you feelings about the society change?
Why?
Rituals and Milestones
What are some milestones we celebrate?
In complete sentences, answer the following prompt.
If you lived in Jonas’s society, what do you think your assignment would be? Why?
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MEMORIES and FEELINGS
“Not only an individual, but people, too, must possess a memory. A people’s memory is
called history. A people with out memory is like an individual with amnesia.”
Y.L. Peretz
THINK and DISCUSS
What is a memory?
What would our world be like without memories?
Why are memories important?
In our society, who decides whose memories are valid and worth telling and retelling?
NOTES:
Describe your favorite memory in detail.
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WORDS TO KNOW
Discuss how the society controlled the individual.
As we read through the
story, write down words
you don’t know in this
space and look them up
later.
Utopia vs. Dystopia
Reflections and notes:
1.
What are the benefits of living in this society?
2.
Do you considered Jonas’s world “advanced”? Why or why not?
3.
Philosopher and statesman Francis Bacon said, “Knowledge is pain.” Do you agree with
this statement? Do you think Jonas would?
4.
Why and how does the society shield its citizens from the true meaning of “Release?”
What might happen if everyone knew what “Release” means?
Escape to Freedom
Writer Anais Nin said, “[It’s] not easy to acive freedom without chaos.”
React: What does she mean?
Can Chaos ever be a good thing?
How would Jaonas respond to this statement?
How would The Give react to it?
What does freedom mean to us? Create a Word Web and explore various
meanings of the word.
FREEDOM
WORDS TO KNOW
As we read through the
story, write down words
you don’t know in this
space and look them up
later.
Examine the consequences of the escape
1.
What happens when Jonas leaves? Where does he go? What does he find?
2.
Why does Jonas take Gabe with him?
3.
How has Jonas’s life changed? How does he react to ne experiences?
4.
Do you think Jonas regrets leaving? Why or why not?
Explore whether freedom is worth the risks.
1.
What did Jonas give up for freedom? What did he gain?
2.
What did freedom mean for Jonas? What did it mean for Gabriel?
3.
What can our own memories and those of our society teach us about the value of freedom?
What would you change about the ending, anything?
THINK and DISCUSS
What is missing in Jonas’s society? Why do you think these things were eliminated?
WHOLE CLASS ACTIVITY: How did it happen?
Describe in detail your experience at Freshman Orientation on August 19, 2014.
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Compare your story to those told in the space below write something you missed writing
that a classmate did not.
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Does everyone the event in the same way? Is any one version more valid or truthful than another?