The Giver: Utopia

Step One: First, as a class, you will define utopia in your own words and discuss what it means to live in one. Then, I will present a PowerPoint on utopia and we will further discuss utopia and its relation to The Giver.

Step Two: I will separate you into groups of five. Together you will research different utopias. Below, I have provided links that will inform you on different examples of utopias. Choose two and then, using a Venn Diagram, compare and contrast them. At the same time, write down what you like and dislike about the communities you are researching.

• Acorn Community
• The Farm
  
• Twin Oaks
• Victory City
• Utopian States
• Factasia - Utopian Fantasy
• The Utopia Project
  

Step Three: Now that you are well-informed on the topic of utopia, it is time to start thinking about the utopia that you wish to create. In your group, answer the following questions.

1. What kind of government should exist in your perfect society?
2. What should the education system be like?
3. How should the community members receive medical care?
4. What kind of money should be used (if any) and how would it be distributed to community members?
5. What kind of recreational activities should be available to community members and how would they participate?

Step Four: Now it is time to divide the group into community roles. The roles will be as follows:

• Leader - The leader is responsible for the team's progress and is the liason between the team and the teacher. You will be in charge of making sure that the team is cooperating, collaborating and compromising, when necessary. You will also be responsible for the type of government that will exist in your utopia.
• Developer - The developer is responsible for mapping out the community, which includes natural resources, such as lakes and mountains. You will be responsible for drawing out the community design.
• Planner - The planner is the team expert on issues such as education and medicine. you will be responsible for designing the community's education and health systems.
• Accountant - The accountant is the team expert on money issues. You will be responsible for figuring out which monetary system to use and how the money will be generated and distributed. You will also be repsonsible for designing the money, if money is used.
  
• Recreation Director - The recreation director is responsible for deciding which leisure activities will be available to the members of the community. You will be responsible for designing which kinds of activities the community will enjoy and decide how they will be implemented.
  

Once you have assigned the roles, you will be responsible for completing the following tasks:

1. Draw a chart that shows how your utopian government will work. Explain the role of each group in the government.
2. Draw a map of what your community will look like. This may include things such as bodies of water, public buildings, parks, houses, parking, schools, medical buildings, recreational areas, etc.
   
3. Create a chart that shows what your education system will be like. Include information such as years of schooling, school hours and subjects that will be taught at each level.
4. Create a chart showing how community members will receive health care. Include information on who provides the care, what kind of care the community members can receive and where they should go depending on the seriousness of the care they need.
5. Draw a picture depicting what the houses will look like on the inside as well as the outside.
6. Draw a picture of the money the community will be using. Create a chart showing how money will be used and distributed. If you are not using money, explain how people will use goods and services.
7. Describe the different types of recreational activities that will be available to members of the community. Also, explain how they will be used (schedule, first come, first serve, etc.).
8. Go back to your charts and maps and make sure that you have clearly labeled everything.
   

*If you need some ideas on government and monetary systems, here are some websites:

• Four Types of Government
• Description of Governments
  
• Alternative Money Systems
  
• More Websites on Alternative Money Systems
  

Step Five: You have been working hard! Now it's time to put it all together for the presentation! You will present based on your community roles:

• Leader - In detail, show us how the government works in your utopian community. Also show us how laws are made and enforced.
• Developer - Present the map of your utopian community. Make sure that you can explain why you planned it the way you did.
• Planner - In detail, explain how the education and health care systems will work in your community. Make sure that you can explain why you formed these systems the way that you did.
• Accountant - If money exists in your community, show us what it looks like. Explain, in detail, how money is generated and distributed. If money does not exist in your community, explain how the people of your community receive goods and services.
  
• Recreation Director - Explain, in detail, the leisure activities that are available to the community. Explain how community members will participate in these communities. Make sure that you can explian why you chose these activities.

Once each member has prepared his or her portion of the presentation, the group members will meet to view the work so far. Make suggestions on any necessary improvements and then put together the final presentation.

The Presentation will last approximately 20 minutes for each group.  You may present any way that you choose (Powerpoint, slides, video, etc.).