Challenging Authority: The Giver

Lesson 5
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ELA

Unit 2

6th Grade

Lesson 5 of 32

Objective


Explain how specific passages from Chapters 7 and 8 of The Giver develop the setting and fit into the overall structure of the text. 

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Giver by Lois Lowry  — Chapters 7-8

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Summarize the events of chapter 8. Where does this chapter fall in the overall structure of the text? Carefully explain your thinking, and use the vocabulary word word "tension" in your response.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • On page 65, the Chief Elder gives a speech: “‘This is the time,’ she began, looking directly at them, ‘when we acknowledge differences. You Elevens have spent all your years till now learning to fit in, to standardize your behavior, to curb any impulse that might set you apart from the group.” What is the significance of this statement?

  • How does the story about Asher on pages 69–70 help develop the setting of the text? Provide specific evidence from the text to support your answer.

  • How do the last two pages of Chapter 7 contribute to the development of the plot? Where does this chapter fall in the overall structure of the text? Carefully explain your thinking.

  • How does the following line on page 76 develop the plot of the text? What impact does this line have on the reader? “‘We failed in our last selection,’ The Chief Elder said solemnly. ‘It was ten years ago, when Jonas was just a toddler. I will not dwell on the experience because it causes us all terrible discomfort” (p. 76).

Discussion Questions

  • What assignment would you hope for if you lived in Jonas’ community? How would you respond to having your profession chosen for you?

Exit Ticket

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

Vocabulary


Text-based

anguish

n.

(p. 75)

severe mental or physical pain or suffering.

Academic

structure

n.

the way a text is purposefully organized by its author.

exposition

n.

the beginning of a story, in which the characters, setting, and context are introduced.

rising action

n.

the section of text that comes after the exposition, when the story begins to get complicated and the central conflict is introduced.

climax

n.

the turning point of a story when the tension and conflict become most intense, and often when a significant change occurs.

falling action

n.

the part of the story that comes directly after the climax when conflicts set up earlier in the text begin to be resolved.

conclusion/resolution

n.

the way a story ends, when any final plot points and conflicts are (generally) resolved.

tension

n.

an aspect of storytelling where an author builds engagement by creating emotions of anxiety and apprehension in the reader about what will happen next.

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 9-10

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • How is Jonas feeling since learning of his assignment? Why?

  • What detail on the instructions surprises Jonas the most? Why?

  • What surprises Jonas about the Receiver’s dwelling?

  • What does it mean to be the Receiver of Memory?

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.6.5 — Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.

Supporting Standards

L.6.6
RL.6.1
RL.6.2
RL.6.4
RL.6.10
SL.6.1
SL.6.6
W.6.1
W.6.1.a
W.6.1.b
W.6.4
W.6.9
W.6.9.a
W.6.10
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Lesson 6

Lesson Map

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