Challenging Authority: The Giver

Lesson 9
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ELA

Unit 2

6th Grade

Lesson 9 of 32

Objective


Analyze why Jonas makes certain decisions and analyze how the events of Chapters 14 and 15 advance the overall plot. 

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Giver by Lois Lowry  — Chapters 14–15

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A Note for Teachers


Chapter 15 contains graphic images of war, death, and animal abuse. It may be upsetting for students. Use your best judgment when previewing and reading this chapter with students. 

Target Task


Writing Prompt

What motivated Jonas to assuage Gabriel? How does Jonas' decision advance the plot? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • Summarize the memory Jonas receives. How does The Giver's reaction to Jonas' anguish on page 138 advance the plot?

  • What does the statement, "The realization made him feel desperately lonely" (p. 139) reveal about Jonas? How does Lois Lowry develop the mood?

  • What does Jonas' question, "But why can't everyone have the memories?" (p. 142) reveal about Jonas' character?

  • Consider Jonas' reaction to supporting Gabriel and his mother's. What do their reactions reveal about them? How does Lois Lowry use their reactions to advance the plot?

  • How does the memory of warfare impact Jonas? How does it impact The Giver?

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


Text-based

assuage

v.

(p. 139)

make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense.

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 16–17

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What does The Giver do to make up for giving Jonas these difficult memories?

  • What question does Jonas ask his parents? How do they respond?

  • What decision does Jonas make about his pills?

  • What game does Jonas see his friends playing?

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Common Core Standards


  • 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.
  • 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.6.5
L.6.5.c
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

Analyze how Jonas changes and why in Chapters 16 and 17.

Lesson 10
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