Alex's+Storybook



//The Giver is a story of a seemingly Utopian city in a futuristic world. Jonas, the main character, is singled out to receive special training from The Giver--who alone holds memories of pain and pleasure in life. As this book unfolds the Utopian society begins unraveling and looks to be in a state of disorder, exposing its many flaws.//

// ** A. Anticipation Activities **


 * D.8.2 Recognize and interpret various uses and adaptations of language in social, cultural, regional, and professional situations, and learn to be flexible and responsive in their use of English.**


 * Activity #1: ** Before the students begin to read// The Giver //a word web will be created using one of the main topics of the book, that being a Utopian society. Two word webs will be made and used in comparison to each other. Students are able to build off of words starting with the main two words, Utopia and Dystopia. A discussion can be held based off of the word webs the students create. This activity will set the stage for the start of the unit reading// The Giver//. Students will understand the characteristics of a Utopian society similar to what the students will encounter in the novel.

media type="custom" key="5979773"Utopia vs Dystopia. click to scroll//


 * B.8.1 Create or produce writing to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.**


 * Activity #2:** Students will use letterpop as a way to document the events that happen in the The Giver during the Ceremony of the Twelves. Students will look through the chapters and find important information to share with people that were unable to attend. Students must write this as if they are writing to someone that was not there during the ceremony but understands what the ceremony is and why it happens. Students must give the reader the main points and some details as well.

http://letterpop.com/newsletters/?id=159219-1b7a71


 * F.8.1 Conduct research and inquiry on self-selected or assigned topics, issues, or problems and use an appropriate form to communicate their findings.**


 * Activity #3:** Students will use this prediction web to form and link predictions before reading chapters. Upon reading the first chapter of The Giver students will have the chance to make predictions for the next two chapters: 2 and 3. Students will then use arrows to link predicitons that have to do with one another. If a students is making different predictions about Jonas's assignment they will link them together because they all have a common theme. Students are then able to go back later and see if any of their predictions were right and if so what other details happened. Students could use this web as a way of making and recording predictions for the upcoming chapters in the book.

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** B. Building Knowledge **

A.8.2 Read, interpret, and critically analyze literature.

 * Activity #1:** Once students have worked their way through the book they will take time to identify the major themes in the book. Each student will be asked to write down 3-5 themes they notice in the book. After each student has made their lists they will be combined as a class and put together in a wordle document. The class is able to see just by looking at the picture which themes were most strongly seen throughout the book. This is also a way for each student to voice their opinions about the themes as the class is able to view them in whole.

media type="custom" key="6001509"http://www.http:www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1971162/The_Giver_Theme.net/show/wrdl/1971162/The_Giver_Theme"The Giver" by Lois Lowry//


 * F.8.1 Conduct research and inquiry on self-selected or assigned topics, issues, or problems and use an appropriate form to communicate their findings.**


 * Activity #2:** Students will take a closer look at Jonas and the role his character plays in the story. The student will look inside the text and pick three topics to focus on for the major points of action in the story. Once the student has chosen the three points of action they must include supporting details on the event. Students must find supporting details from the text to go along with their main topic of action.






 * A.8.1 Use effective reading strategies to achieve their purposes in reading.**


 * Activity #3:** Throughout The Giver there are many rules that are stated about the community and what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior. During the reading of this novel students will keep a running web of as many rules as they can find while reading. Each chapter will often disclose at least one rule of the community to the reader. The rules will allow students to understand the community better. Jonas often breaks rules once he is given his new assignment and this will also help students understand why he breaks the rules and which rules he breaks.

** C. Consolidation **


 * A.8.4 Read to acquire information.**


 * Activity #1:** Students will use the venn diagram below to compare two of the main characters in the story, Jonas and The Giver. Students will have to look to the text to find evidence of similarities and differences unique to the Giver and Jonas. Students will have completed the novel at this time and will have many examples to use for this activity. This activity will give students a chance to look at the characters as individuals as well as a look into how these characters cross paths during the novel.




 * B.8.1 Create or produce writing to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.**


 * Activity #2:** Students will have the chance to retell the story of The Giver in their own words. Students will have to identify the setting, main characters, and major events that occur during the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Students will be able to demonstrate the important aspects of the reading and include events that they feel help shape the story. Each student will have a slightly different view of the story and what they feel is important, however many students should include major topics such as the conflicts and rising action. This activity allows students freedom from closed ended questions and allows them to write more freely and independently.


 * A.8.1 Use effective reading strategies to achieve their purposes in reading.**


 * Activity #3:** At the conclusion of reading the book The Giver by Lois Lowry students will be asked to take a short quiz on the newly learned information. The quiz will consist of questions from any of the read and talked about information about the book. The questions are given in a random order and do not necessarily go together. Students will have this quiz as a chance to show what they understand and remember from the book. Students will receive letter grades based on the number of questions that were answered correctly (overall points).

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 * F.8.1 Conduct research and inquiry on self-selected or assigned topics, issues, or problems and use an appropriate form to communicate their findings.**


 * Activity #4:** After the completion of the book "The Giver", students may want to seek out other books by Lois Lowry. This bookshelf will allow students to see many of her books all in one place. Students may write reviews on books they have read and even create their own bookshelves. When students like one book by an author they may want to pursue other books written by them, this tool will allow them to do so very easily.

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