Novel Study Course - The Giver - Middle School or Junior High - Grades 7 - 9
In this four lesson course that is perfect for 7th to 9th graders, we’ll explore The Giver by Lois Lowry, focusing on critical thinking, literary analysis, and engaging discussions.
New on Outschool
What's included
4 pre-recorded lessons
average 31 mins per video4 weeks
of teacher support2 hrs 3 mins
total video learning hours1 year access
to the contentAssignments
2-4 hours per week. Students will be provided with activities, handouts, and assignments, as well as a copy of their digital notebooks and the text. All assignments are optional but feedback is provided via Outschool for any assignments completed.Letter Grade
includedCertificate of Completion
1 after class completionClass Experience
US Grade 7 - 9
This course will guide students through a deep and meaningful exploration of Lois Lowry’s The Giver. Students will develop skills in critical thinking, literary analysis, vocabulary acquisition, and written and verbal communication, all aligned with Common Core standards. We’ll explore major themes such as individuality vs. conformity, freedom vs. control, and the importance of memory. Literary elements like symbolism, tone, and character development will be discussed. Students will also focus on key vocabulary terms from the text. The course is organized into weekly sessions: Week 1: Introduction to The Giver and its setting Weekly Assignments: Vocabulary practice, literary element focus, and completion of the Reading Response Notebook. I use a mix of teaching tools and strategies, including: Self Paced Socratic Seminars: Students will engage in guided discussion questions to analyze the text. Interactive tools: Engaging slides, games, and quizzes. Multimedia: Video clips and visuals to enrich understanding of the text. My teaching is interactive, student-centered, and supportive. I strive to create an environment where students feel encouraged to ask questions, express ideas, and collaborate. I balance structured lessons with room for creativity and discovery. Students will interact with me in several ways: Through activities provided during the lesson videos and by receiving personalized feedback on their reading response notebooks. I’m committed to being available for questions and providing support throughout the course to ensure every student succeeds.
Learning Goals
Students will 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.Students will analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.
Syllabus
4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Chapters 1-5 - Introduction to Dystopian Genre
Classroom norms and expectations will be established.
Chapter 1-5
• Students will make predictions and discuss the elements of the dystopian genre.
• Students will analyze how incidents in a story propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision 57 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Chapters 6-11 - Theme and Story Elements
Chapters 6-11
• Students will analyze how particular elements of a story interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
• Students will analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision. 28 mins of video lessons
Lesson 3:
Chapters 12-16 - Characters and Critical Analysis
Chapters 12-16
• Students will analyze how differences in the points of view of the
characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the
use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.
• Students will analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text. 19 mins of video lessons
Lesson 4:
Chapters 17-23 - Elements of Plot, Authors Purpose
Chapters 17-23
• Students will compare and contrast our world to the society in The Giver.
•Students will 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.
•Students will analyze the authors purpose. 18 mins of video lessons
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The Giver by Lois Lowry is a thought-provoking novel that explores themes of individuality, freedom, and the complexities of a controlled, utopian society. While the content is suitable for high school students, it does touch on mature topics such as societal control, emotional suppression, and the ethics of life and death decisions. These themes are handled thoughtfully and provide excellent opportunities for critical thinking and guided discussions.
In Chapter 5 of The Giver by Lois Lowry, Jonas shares a dream involving feelings of desire, marking his first experience of "Stirrings." This chapter introduces themes of growing maturity, controlled emotions, and societal repression. Some readers may find the exploration of emerging sexuality and the community's strict measures to suppress it sensitive or thought-provoking.
Chapter 19 has a pretty intense section. It describes the release (death) of one of the twin babies and is quite unexpected for Jonas and the reader. I recommend reading
it ahead of time to know what your child will be reading. Some students struggle with the
idea of this chapter more than others, so I tend to give a warning beforehand.
Supply List
The Giver by Lois Lowry
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Students will require a copy of The Giver by Lois Lowry.
Joined November, 2024
New on Outschool
Teacher expertise and credentials
Florida Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Master's Degree from Florida Institute of Technology
I am certified to teach English for grades 6-12 and am a certified Reading Specialist. I have taught middle school English in a Title 1 school for the last 5 years. Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$50
weekly or $200 for all content4 pre-recorded lessons
4 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Choose your start date
Ages: 11-14
