The Giver by Lois Lowry
Story Synopsis: Lois Lowry's The Giver centers around Jonas, a young boy in a dystopian world of the future. The Ceremony of Twelve introduces him to a whole new existence, as the Receiver of Memory. He's blessed (or cursed). Separation from family and friends is a traumatic event for most 12-year-old, but Jonah is introduced to a whole new world of secrets and lies. The Committee of Elders seeks the advice of The Giver to remember what came before (a past long forgotten), but the responsibility is also fraught with unimaginable terrors.
Jonah experiences the history of hatred, pain and war--which leaves him "desperately alone." Nobody else knows (or could know). And, the reality of what he has always believed to be harmless practices causes him to make the decision to leave the community. He's already been estranged/alienated from all that he'd previously held dear. His new understanding of himself and his society makes it impossible for him to stay. He decides he must leave... In his his horrendous flight/journey, he rescues Gabriel from euthanasia--experiencing hunger and pain in his trek toward the Nirvana of Elsewhere.
Lombardi, Esther. (2013). About.com. "The Giver Summary". http://classiclit.about.com/od/giverloislowry/a/aa_giversumm.htm
Jonah experiences the history of hatred, pain and war--which leaves him "desperately alone." Nobody else knows (or could know). And, the reality of what he has always believed to be harmless practices causes him to make the decision to leave the community. He's already been estranged/alienated from all that he'd previously held dear. His new understanding of himself and his society makes it impossible for him to stay. He decides he must leave... In his his horrendous flight/journey, he rescues Gabriel from euthanasia--experiencing hunger and pain in his trek toward the Nirvana of Elsewhere.
Lombardi, Esther. (2013). About.com. "The Giver Summary". http://classiclit.about.com/od/giverloislowry/a/aa_giversumm.htm
Common Core Standards1. Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text. 3. Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision. 4. By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently. |
Learning Objectives1. Read and identify various types of characterization in the story using guided notes and practice.
2. Learn and understand the elements of theme and the steps necessary to properly identify in an effort to comprehend for a better overall understanding. |
Resources and Materials |