The Giver By: Lois Lowry

1. The GiverBy: Lois Lowry A Webquest By: Mrs. Loverde

2. Before Reading • Open each of the attachments below.  Select the best one for you, print and answer the questions. Anticipation Guide 1Anticipation Guide 2 Anticipation Guide 3 • In your small groups, compare and discuss each others responses. • After you have all shared, discuss whether is it is important to follow rules and the reasons for rules in our society.  Create a list of rules you follow at home, at school, and in the community.  Divide these rules into two groups: those you believe are important and those that are not.    • Next, research these questions: What is Utopia?  Using the resources provided learn about Utopia and the Utopian society.  What are the benefits of this society, what are the pitfalls of this society?  Make a chart showing the benefits and the pitfalls. Definition of Utopia -  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopia Utopian Philosophy - http://users.erols.com/jonwill/

3. The Memory Chest • In The Giver, Jonas is assigned with the responsibility of receiving all of The Giver’s memories. What does it mean to “receive a memory”? • It is time to investigate where you have come from.  You are going to gather memories from your family's past. You may use parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.  The only requirement is the memories have to come from someone who is at least 20 years older than yourself.  Keep in mind, the memories you uncover may be good memories, but as Jonas discovered, they may also be bad memories.  Your relatives may share memories of their childhood, of their parents, of trips they have taken or things they have seen.  They may share stories of love, or war; the possibilities really are endless.  But, regardless of what the memories are about or whether they are good or bad, be sure to write them down or record them.  Remember, your relatives are passing their life on to you and it should be recorded. Once you feel you have gathered enough information or memories it is time to begin creating your "Treasure Chest."  You will need an old shoe box (or something of the same size) to "put" your memories in.  Note, you will need enough items to fill your container, but if you have too many, you may have to eliminate some of them. Your "Treasure Chest" should include AT LEAST 5 memories from your relatives, either written down or on tape (talk to at least 4 different relatives) and mementos to go along with these memories, such as personal items from them, or information and pictures about particular events in their memories. 

4. The Memory Chest • Note, the links at the bottom of this page will provide you with a few good websites containing information and pictures about particular  events.  Please do not feel that you are limited to these sites.  There is also a link to Google so that you may search the web for other websites or events your relatives discuss. Be sure that you can explain each item in your "Treasure Chest" clearly, including the different memories and the various mementos.   • The Kennedy Assassination • The Holocaust And GalleryWorld War II • Vietnam War • Destruction of Berlin Wall • Oklahoma City Bombing • World Trade Center Bombing • 1969: Man on the Moon • Other Events

5. Create a Perfect Community STEP ONE: You will be assignedone or twootherpartners to work with. STEP TWO: Research the meaning of the term utopia your group will turn in one TYPED paragraph explaining why the community Jonas lives in has utopia. Give explicit examples from the text in your response. STEP THREE: Research other communities that have adopted a utopian like society and complete the utopian comparison chart attached here. Specifically research: a.Victory City b.Acorn Community

6. Create a Perfect Community STEP FOUR: RESEARCH GOVERNMENT Check out the following websites to make your decision.Complete the Government Research Notes Chart. At the conclusion of your research, please choose what type of government will be present in your community. Different Types of Government BBC Newsround Types of Government

7. Create a Perfect Community STEP FIVE:RESEARCH MONEYClick on the following links to gather information about currency in different countries.You are to choose FIVE actual countries to gather information on. Complete the Money Graphic Organizer. Fact Monster Currency

8. Create a Perfect Community STEP SIX: Now that you have an idea about utopia and other communitiesthat have adopted this idea;it is time to create your own. Type your answer to each question being sure to restate each question in your response. Use the information from steps two through five to assist you with this process. RESPONSES TO EACH QUESTION SHOULD BE 6 TO 10 SENTENCES IN LENGTH. 1. What is the name of your community? Where is it located? 2. What type of utopia is present in your community (political, economic, scientific)? Give specific examples of how your community is any particular type of utopia.

9. Create a Perfect Community 3.What kind of government is present in your community? a. How are decisions made? Who makes those decisions? b. Are there specific rules your community must follow? 4. Whatwill the educational system be like? a. How old are children when they enter school? b. At what age will a child "graduate" from school? c. Do they receive special training for adulthood? d. Does your educational system include holidays? e. What are the school hours? What does the school day look like? 5. How should the community members receive medical care? a. Is it free for all community members? b. Are there limits as to the type of medical care an individual can get? c. How does your community handle emergencies? Do you have a hospital or a clinic? Is there a pharmacy in your community?

10. Create a Perfect Community 6.Is there a limit on how manymembersare accepted into your community? a. What is the process to becoming a member of your community (i.e. interview, application, etc...)? 7. What kind of money is used (if any) and how will it be distributed to community members? (refer to Step 5) 8. What kind of recreational activities are available to community members and howwill they participate? Be specific. 9. Are jobs assigned? Who makes those decisions?

11. Create a Perfect Community STEP SEVEN: Create a map of your community. Make sure it is colorful. You can use posterboard orconstruction paper for your drawing. Your picture must include five points of interest (i.e. important buildings, bodies of water, boundaries, dwellings, gardens, etc...). Include a key that identifies the five points of interest. STEP EIGHT: Create a PowerPoint presentation that illustrates what your community is like. You must adhere to the following guidelines: 1. Must have at least9 slides (one per question from step 6) 2. Slides must include animations, pictures, and slide transitions. Sound animation is optional. 3. Final slide must include a list of sources. When presenting, explain each slide (do not read directly from the slide).

12. Culminating Project Part 1 In this video clip, Ms. Lowry describes the attention that this book has received from sections of the public. She asks two great questions…“What could they be objecting to” and “why do they feel so frightened of” this book. You are going to write a four paragraph response to these questions. Your first two paragraphs will answer these questions. Then, write another paragraph stating whether you feel their objections are justified. Your final paragraph should tell if “they” should have the right to ban these books for all students?

13. Culminating Project Part 2 Your first job is to read what Lois Lowry had to say about the ending of this book. For the first link, click here. For another link, click here. Now you are ready for your final assignment. First, you need to know the difference between an author telling a story in first, second, and third person. To find that difference, click here. So remember, third person omniscient is a method of storytelling in which the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters in the story. Now you are ready for your final assignment. For the directions and the rubric for this assignment, please click here.