ViscardoUPLANRationale


 * //The Giver// by Lois Lowry **

Students in the middle level grades are battling the constant inner-struggle of identity. Students strive to be socially accepted by peers, often being manipulated by peer pressure to conform to a false identity that is seen as “popular” or “acceptable” while still trying to find their own true identity. Their identities are shaped by peer influences, pop culture, and society. While society arguably plays a role in shaping an individual, do students take time and analyze the society they live in? //The Giver// introduces the idea of a perfect society: a utopia. This seemingly utopian society adopts “sameness” where all emotions, including pain, are banished. This seemingly perfect, structured world soon proves to be anything but utopian.

Students will explore the novel discussing their viewpoints on utopian societies. They will compare and contrast their feelings with those of the main character, Jonas. It is important for students at the middle level age to understand the society they live in and understand the workings of the world around them. They are apart of something so much bigger than themselves - bigger than a grade in a test, a middle school crush, the right outfit. //The Giver// will allow students to analyze the society they live in while comparing it to other types of societies.

**Big Question:** Is it possible to create a functional utopian society?

Students will discuss the implications of traditions in society. Students will be able to compare and contrast our government’s role with the government’s role of //The Giver//. Students will demonstrate the understanding between a utopia and a dystopia. Students will write daily reading logs journaling their feelings coinciding with Jonas’ thoughts and feelings throughout the novel <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Students will be able to formulate opinions and responses regarding their lives if they regulated similarly to those in //The Giver//.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;"><range type="comment" id="451697910_5">Standards</range id="451697910_5"> **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;"> [|CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2] Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;"> [|CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.3] Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;"> [|CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1] Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidenc<range type="comment" id="451697910_6">e.</range id="451697910_6">