Culminating Project for a Unit on the Novel The Giver
Culminating Project for a Unit on the Novel The
Giver
Course(s)/Subject(s):
Grade Level(s): 8
Key Words: English, technology, slide show, novel The Giver, themes
Developer(s) Name: Lori Farnsworth
School: Jackson MS
Approximate Time Frame: Three 90 minute periods
Materials/Equipment Needed: Computer Lab, Macs with Internet Access and ClarisWorks, copies of the novel The Giver
Description of Lesson (includes context): This is the
culminating project for a unit on the novel The Giver.
Students, in groups of four, will trace the development of one of two
themes from the novel--alienation or Utopia--in a series of group
slide show presentations. Each group
will
- What is the objective of this lesson?
What will we examine as evidence of students' knowledge and/or skill?
What exactly will the students and teacher do during the lesson?
- In Literature Circle groups, create a series of slide shows
with a minimum of six slides
apiece that trace a given theme in The Giver. - Each group needs to choose one of two themes and analyze it
from the perspective of
the protagonist. Each student in the group focuses on a different part of the novel. Each
group is responsible for tracing the development of this theme from the beginning to the
end of the novel. - In the introductory slide, each student must state the name of
the book; author; the
purpose of the slide show (Theme Exploration) and how it fits into the whole i.e., Part
1 of 4; and his or her name. The student must also list the names of group members. - In the second slide, each student must state the theme and the
perspective the group will
be viewing it from (Jonas's perspective). The student must include an image that
symbolizes or represents this theme. (Images must be the same throughout the group.) - In the third slide, the student must explain how the theme
makes itself known in this
particular part of the novel. - In slides four and five, students must display an image from
the novel that illustrates
the surfacing of the theme. They can draw this image using drawing tools or import an
image from the Internet. They must include the page number from the novel and write
a caption describing the picture. - In the last slide, the student needs to draw conclusions about
the impact of this theme
on Jonas, the main character, at this point in the novel.
- Have the students map out the progression of their slide shows
using graphic
organizers. They will bring this plan to the computer lab. - Students need to be informed of the importance of including
the source for imported
images. They also need to be instructed on how to do this.
What options in presentation(s) and/or response(s) are suggested in order to provide the opportunity for all students to demonstrate achievement of the benchmark(s) and indicator(s)?