Challenging Authority: The Giver

Lesson 3
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ELA

Unit 2

6th Grade

Lesson 3 of 32

Objective


Determine the meaning of unknown words in The Giver and explain the impact of specific words and phrases on mood and tone.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Giver by Lois Lowry  — Chapters 3-4

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

What is Larissa’s tone when she describes Roberto’s release on pages 40–42? What specific words and phrases does the author use to establish this tone? Explain your thinking.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • What are the meanings of the words “chastise” and “chastisement” as they are used on pages 25–26? What words and phrases are most useful in determining the meaning of these words? What mood do these words create?

  • What is the meaning of the word “mystified” as it is used on page 31? What words and phrases are most useful in determining the meaning of this word? What mood does the word create?

  • What mood does the author establish in the scene where Jonas prepares to wash Larissa on pages 38–39? What specific words and phrases does the author use to establish this mood?

Discussion Questions

  • What do you think happened when Jonas says that the apple “changed”?

Exit Ticket

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

Vocabulary


Academic

mood

n.

the emotional “atmosphere” of a scene in a text , which often evokes feelings in the reader

tone

n.

an author/speaker’s attitude toward a topic or an audience, which is often conveyed through word choice and/or literary devices.

denotation

n.

the literal meaning of a word; the dictionary definition.

connotation

n.

the social, cultural, and emotional associations words have, beyond the dictionary definition (denotation).

Text-based

chastise

v.

to harshly scold or discipline (p. 24)

mystified

adj.

bewildered; entirely confused (p. 31)

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 5-6

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Why does Jonas begin taking a pill every day? How does this make him feel?

  • Why is Gabriel not at the Naming? Why is this unusual?

  • How are the ceremonies organized?

  • What is the mood during the ceremonies? How are the people in the community feeling?

  • How is Jonas feeling on the day of the ceremony? Why?

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Common Core Standards


  • L.6.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
  • L.6.4.a — Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
  • L.6.4.c — Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.
  • L.6.4.d — Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
  • RL.6.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.

Supporting Standards

L.6.6
RL.6.1
RL.6.2
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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