The Giver Novel Study

                                                                      Pre-Activities

Utopia Mania
1.  Lois Lowry’s novel is a story about what happens in a “Utopian” society.  A Utopia is a place where everything is perfect, or at least everything is supposed to be perfect.  What would a “perfect place” mean to you?  Maybe in your perfect place everyone would be six feet tall and play basketball all day or perhaps you have other ideas.

How will your system run, in the world that works so well?  Describe:

MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING

* Define what a Utopia is - use the following link: javascript:nicTemp();

*Your utopia must have a name

* You must establish laws, rules, and punishments for your utopia

* How are people are educated in your utopia

* What will be your system for finding and choosing leaders, and how the

  government runs in your utopia

* What is your social system & how people raise families, and find enjoyment in

  your utopia

Create a PowerPoint presentation of what your “perfect place” / utopia would look like.
 

Valuable Choices
1.  Another important concept in The Giver  is that of choices.  For example, getting to decide what you want to do and when you want to do it, “freedom of speech” and “freedom of religion”.

During-Activities

Sharing Senses  (After reading chapters 11-12)

1.  When Jonas receives the new memories, he doesn’t know how to explain his experience to his friends.  This may be somewhat similar to describing colors and sights to a blind person. 

* Write a paragraph describing and explaining the following to a friend with blindness.  (a sunset……the ocean……an amusement park)

* Keeping in mind that there are other senses (hearing, smelling, touch, taste) besides sight describe the following in a fully develop paragraph.  (the taste of your favorite dish/candy to someone who doesn’t have taste buds, the sound of baby crying to someone who can’t hear, the smell smoke to someone who doesn’t have the sense of smell, and the touch of velvet to someone who doesn’t have hands)

2. Do you think Jonas could have found a way to share his new experiences with his friends and family?  Should he have done this?  Why or why not?
 

Memory Share  (After reading chapter 16 try this activity.)
The old man, the Giver, gives Jonas his favorite memory, sort of like how a grandparent may give grandchildren a happy or sad memory from their own childhood.

· What is a happy or sad memory an older person has told you?  Why do you like or dislike this memory?

· Can you think of any memories you would tell someone younger than you someday?  Make a list of several memories (4-5).

Post-Reading-Activities

Search For Your Role
Each member of Jonas’ community had a specific job, or role, to fill. By assigning roles to the people within the community, they could continue to function well.  Complete both of the following activities.

1. Which role would you like best, based on your interests, abilities and personality? Refer to chapter 7 for a list of the assignments from the ceremony, to help narrow down your choices. Make a list of specific things (10-12) that you would need to possess be able to do to perform this job (play games, organize groups, care for others, etc.).  

2. What role would you assign your friends?  Choose 3 friends and tell which roles you would assign them and why they fit into these roles best.

Memory Treasure Chest
Pretend that you are like The Giver and are passing on memories.  Think about what memories are important to you and would benefit others in some way. 

· Create a box (shoebox size) that contains objects representing 4 of your most important memories.  Label each object telling what it is (key, rock, picture, trophy, etc.) what memory/time/event it’s related to and why it’s important to you.  You can bring in objects from home (careful to follow school rules) or create pictures and models representing them.

· If time allows decorate your box in a way that makes it personal.