The Life of Jonas (Based on the Giver by Lois Lowry)
This is a 5-day (1 week) class. Students will create interpretations of Jonas's life as they read Lois Lowry's classic novel, The Giver. Project choices include: a daily menu, a day in the life, introducing something new to Jonas, etc.
Ms. Jodi
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(2)
What's included
5 live meetings
4 hrs 35 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. The project may require at least 1-2 hours to work on if the students want to make a FlipaClip or other design. Students will benefit from reading the novel as we enjoy the class.Class Experience
Intermediate Level
Teaching Style: I use time wisely and divide each day into different activities. I encourage students to participate to support growth in confidence. Participating is not mandatory. As a teaching style, I act as a group lead while supporting others. Students can work with others if they feel comfortable. Slides will be used to guide story comprehension and daily topics. AI is used to generate images to pair with content. Daily Routine and Class Schedule: Monday (Day 1): Greet each student Discuss Class Expectations and Structure (10 minutes) Review Syllabus Complete the 20-minute lesson on chapters 1,2,3,4 (5 is a visual overview without the dream of Fiona to avoid sensitve content.) Lesson Topic: Character and Setting Analysis/Foreshadowing Discuss possible choices for projects (25 minutes) Show some project examples Tuesday (Day 2): Greet each student Review Syllabus (5 minutes) Complete the 25-minute lesson on chapters 6-10 Lesson Topic: The Ceremonies and Control: Key details/foreshadowing/author’s craft Discuss possible choices for projects/Game: Key detail Bingo (25 minutes) Work on project outlines together for guidance Wednesday (Day 3): Greet each student Review Syllabus (5 minutes) Complete the 25-minute lesson on chapters 11-15 Lesson Topic: The Power of Memories: Compare and Contrast/Philosophical Points/chaining key events Discuss possible choices for projects/Game: Key detail Bingo (25 minutes) Work on projects together for guidance Thursday (Day 4): Greet each student Review Syllabus (5 minutes) Complete the 25-minute lesson on chapters 16-20 Lesson Topic: Cause and Effect and Jonas's Plan- Jonas changes (dynamic character) referring to what the author let us know/the author’s craft Discuss progress with projects/Game: Key detail Bingo (25 minutes) Work on projects together for guidance Friday (Day 5): Greet each student Review Syllabus (5 minutes) Complete the 25-minute lesson on chapters 21-23 Lesson Topic: The Escape Present Projects and Discuss (25 minutes) Project Choice Options: Create a short video using an application to retell your favorite part of the story. Create a daily menu for Jonas. Create a diary that Jonas keeps during the story. Create news article, advice column, or pamphlet relating to the story or an event from a specific chapter. Create a scene from the story using home materials. Create a storyboard showing your favorite part of the story. Create a new life for Jonas as a next ending. Paint or draw your favorite chapter or part of the story. Write a poem to Fiona. Create a What if Jonas Stays? ending. Compose an apology letter. More options per discussion (based on student ideas)
Learning Goals
1. Students will interpret the novel, The Giver by Lois Lowry, by demonstrating understanding using a creation of thier choice.
2. Students will explore new ways to build comprehension skills when reading a middle-school novel.
3. Students will practice pacing and fluency skills required for longer reading material.
4. Students will compare and contrast topics between their way of life and the main character's way of life.
5. Students will build project-based learning skills.
6. Per standards: Students will understand a story's plot and how the setting and character's motives/actions influence the outcome of the story.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)5 Lessons
over 1 WeekLesson 1:
We will read and discuss parts of The Giver Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4.
Character and Setting Interpretations: Students will get to know the dynamic and static characters in the first few chapters. We will discuss how the author uses setting and foreshadowing with key details. We will compare and contrast the setting and characters with real life. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
We will read and discuss parts of The Giver Chapters 6-10.
The Ceremonies and Control: Students will get to know how the community celebrates life and how the rules control the people. We will discuss how the author uses foreshadowing with key details. We will compare and contrast the key events with real life. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
We will read and discuss parts of The Giver Chapters 11-15.
The Power of Memories: Students will get to know how memories have been stored and how the author transfers the memories through characters. We will discuss some key points such as whether we believe Jonas's world is Utopian or Dystopian. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
We will read and discuss parts of The Giver Chapters 16-20.
Cause and Effect and Jonas's Plan: Students will match some cause and effect connections using key details. We will discuss how The Giver influences Jonas's powerful change of heart and awakening. 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
This class is based on a novel study. Students may read or use the audio version of The Giver to build thier knowledge of the story. Students make a project based on choice/options that align with the novel and thier skills.
Parental Guidance
The Giver by Lois Lowry is a classic novel and has been read by many for decades. This book is read worldwide. There are controversial rules and ways shared throughout the story. We will discuss them as being either real or absurd. This novel is fiction and it is not based on any country or person. There are references to poaching elephants, war, starvation, and death. This is a coming of age novel.
The author builds the story to help the reader react with thought. It is okay for students to build an opinion to show rejection. We skip content in chapter 5 because the content in the chapter does not make all students feel comfortable when reading.
Students can explore Canva or apps to create a short video if they would like to build a project using these tools. These applications are optional. Canva can be accessed for free with basic tools. There are other stop motion apps that students can explore if they would like to make a project using the app. This option should be based on parental approval. Most students using gmail have access to Google slides to make a basic Google Doc or Slide project. Students can use paper to create if parental concerns exist. Students may interpret parts of the novel using AI Generated images for thier projects.
Pre-Requisites
Students should have some backgrpund skills with Google and/or Canva and know how to design slides or presentations. If a student does not have access to Canva or Google, the student can use other ways to create a project.
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Teaching Certificates
Nevada Teaching Certificate
Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate
Master's Degree in Education from California University of Pennsylvania
I currently teach middle school, grades 6-8. I teach a class called Explorations: Fundamentals of Reading and Writing. I teach grades 7-8 Special Education English. I teach sixth grade students with accelerated learning needs. Reviews
Live Group Course
$100
for 5 classes5x per week, 1 week
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
1-6 learners per class
