Challenging Authority: The Giver

Lesson 4
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ELA

Unit 2

6th Grade

Lesson 4 of 32

Objective


Evaluate what kind of person Jonas is, based on the way he responds to specific events and his community's values in Chapters 5–6 of The Giver.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Giver by Lois Lowry  — Chapters 5–6

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A Note for Teachers


In Chapter 5, Jonas and his parents discuss him experiencing Stirrings for the first time. In the novel, Stirrings are likely, though not explicitly stated, intensified feelings associated with puberty. While Jonas first experiences these feelings in the form of confused attraction for Fiona, the Stirrings are not explicitly sexual or romantic. When discussing the events of Chapter 5 with students, frame Stirrings as "strong or intense feelings." As a part of internalization for this unit, leverage the Hot Topics in Discussion Teacher Tool to ensure that discussion remains appropriate, safe, and respectful for all.

Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does Jonas respond to the values and expectations of the community? What conclusions can we draw about what kind of person he is, based on his behavior? Support your answer with at least two pieces of specific evidence from the text. 

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • What can be inferred about Jonas based on how he responds to the community's rules and expectations regarding sharing dreams? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

  • Summarize Jonas' discussion with his mother regarding the Stirrings. What can be inferred about what the community values based on how Stirrings are discussed? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

  • Based on the events of Chapter 6, how does the community treat and view children? What can be inferred about their values based on their treatment of children?

  • Why does the author include Jonas' conversation with Asher on pages 60–61? How does this scene fit into the overall structure of the text?

Exit Ticket

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

Vocabulary


Text-based

vivid

adj.

(p. 43)

producing powerful feelings or images in the mind

vague

adj.

(p. 46)

not clear or specific

confide

v.

(p. 49)

to trust someone with a secret

inadequate

adj.

(p. 54)

not enough or not good enough

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 7–8

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What happens during the Ceremony of Twelve?

  • How would you describe Asher's personality?

  • What story do they tell about Asher? Why?

  • What happens when the Chief Elder gets to Jonas' number? How does it make him feel?

  • What assignment is Jonas selected for?

  • What qualities does the Chief Elder say that Jonas has that qualify him for this assignment?

  • What emotions does Jonas experience when he learns of his new assignment?

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Common Core Standards


  • 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.
  • 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.

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

Next

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

Lesson 5
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