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The Giver WebQuest
Grade: 8
Subject:Novel-The Giver
Curricular Goal: Determine needs of the "Giver's" society; recommend
improvements; make changes; debate issues; develop responsibility as member of a group;
create written document of top three recommendations; build awareness of what an author
must consider in terms of setting and plot before writing a novel.
Introduction:
In this activity, students will assume the role of Jonas, the main character in the novel,
The Giver, as he returns from "Elsewhere" with new ideas and information
to improve his future society.
Task:
Students will determine problems in the Giver's society. They will consider
alternative methods of handling these problems to improve this future society, making it
better for all. In improving the "utopian" society created by Lois Lowry,
they will give consideration to such topics as the family--structure, child-rearing
practices, and divorce; the government--it role in people's lives, freedoms it should
guarantee; the sick and elderly--caring for, facilities for care and shelter, euthanasia;
poverty--overpopulation, unemployment, hunger, welfare; education--fair & equal,
career training; economics--all needs supplied by the government, or a monetary system
with jobs, goods, services, and necessities for sale for a price as in a capitalist
system; natural resources--conservation, use by the people, use in the economy.
Process:
Students will work in groups to address particular concerns using different types of
sources, and research their group's topic or topics of concern. After
completing their research and debating the various options within their group, the
groups will meet in a forum with representation by one member of each group who will
present the top three recommendations for change within their given area(s). After
each group presents their recommendations, the "society" members (all the
students in the class) will vote on the changes they wish to make to their world through
individual ballots. Results will be announced and a new "Giver Day" will
be celebrated.
Evaluation:
Students will evaluate each others contributions as a member of their particular
group. The teacher will evaluate the presentation by each group. All groups
will turn in a written summary of their recommendations for change, and how it can be
implemented.
Authors: Amy Medved, Linda Travis--MSS
Created: 10/8/99