Challenging Authority: The Giver

Lesson 1
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ELA

Unit 2

6th Grade

Lesson 1 of 32

Objective


Explain the characteristics, purpose, and development of the genre of dystopian fiction and define important terms related to this topic.

Readings and Materials


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Target Task


Writing Prompt

What is the purpose of dystopian fiction? Is it still relevant today?

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • Read through the text, "Dystopias: Definitions and Characteristics."Describe what a dystopia is in your own words. What are the characteristics of a dystopian society? 

  • How did events in the real world lead to the development of the genre of dystopia? Support your answer with examples from the video.

Discussion Questions

  • Do you believe that American society is more like a utopia or a dystopia? Explain your thinking.

Exit Ticket

Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

Vocabulary


Text-based

utopia

n.

an imagined place where everything is perfect, especially as related to government and society

dystopia

n.

an imagined, nightmarish society in which people are oppressed and all aspects of their lives are controlled by the government

Root/Affix

u/ou-

prefix

not

-topia

suffix

place

dys-

prefix

bad

-topo

suffix

place

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Book: The Giver by Lois Lowry  — Chapters 1-2

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What happened to the pilot who accidentally flew over Jonas’s community? How did the community react? 

  • How is Jonas feeling at the beginning of the book? Why? Use the word apprehensive in your answer. 

  • What does Jonas’s family do every night after dinner?

  • What happens every December in the community?

  • What is Jonas’s father’s job? Who is Gabe?

  • How do the elders determine what a person’s assignment will be?

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Common Core Standards


  • L.6.6 — Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
  • RI.6.2 — Determine a 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.

Supporting Standards

L.6.4
L.6.4.b
L.6.4.c
L.6.4.d
RI.6.1
RI.6.4
RI.6.7
RI.6.10
SL.6.1
SL.6.2
SL.6.3
SL.6.6
W.6.2
W.6.2.a
W.6.2.b
W.6.4
W.6.9
W.6.9.b
W.6.10
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Lesson 2

Lesson Map

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