This is the overview of a literature circle unit focusing on what it means to be human.

1. Unit Schedule – The Giver
Day 4 (11/20) Day 5 (11/21) Day 6 (11/24) Day 1 (11/25) Day 2 (11/26)
Introduction of Introduction of Workshop Workshop Workshop
Unit Unit
Group Members Discussion
Role Assignment Question
Book Distribution Personal Success
Plan
Workshop
Day 3 (12/1) Day 4 (12/2) Day 5 (12/3) Day 6 (12/4) Day 1 (12/5)
Workshop Workshop Literature Circle Workshop Workshop
#1 and Role
Sharing
First 1/3 of book
(Giver 1-65)
Day 2 (12/8) Day 3 (12/9) Day 4 (12/10) Day 5 (12/11) Day 6 (12/12)
Workshop Workshop Workshop Literature Circle Preparation for
#2 and Role Hot Seat
Sharing
Middle 1/3 of
book
(Giver 65 – 138)
Day 1 (12/15) Day 2 (12/16) Day 3 (12/17) Day 4 (12/18) Day 5 (12/19)
Hot Seat Workshop Workshop Workshop Literature Circle
#3 and Role
Sharing
Final 1/3 of book
(Giver 139- end)
***Essay introduction will be on Monday, 12/22***

2. Character Change Unit Overview
Overview: As you know, we have been exploring what it means to be human. During this four- week unit
(three six-day cycles), you will work in literature circles to read and analyze a text which focuses on this
central issue. In other words, your book presents a character who learns something about what it means to
be human. So, as you read, you will be tracking this character’s traits, and watching for the catalysts that
lead him to become more human.
To help you focus on these central issues, your literature circle will have 4 distinct roles, each of which
delves into key aspects of your novel. These roles are explained on the attached sheet; they are:
Scrapbook Keeper, Theme Tracker, Societal Researcher, and Symbol Seeker. Each role has a required
product which must be turned in on the discussion day at the end of the week. Also, you will each keep a
journal, which will be checked during that discussion period. Please note that your role will change at the
end of each week, giving you a chance to experience several different ways to explore the novel.
Regardless of which role you are fulfilling, you will be focusing on some aspect of these key questions:
What causes a character to change? What does it mean to be human?
Your work each week, during class and at home, will be driven by the literature circle discussion question
you have to complete for the upcoming literature circle day and your group roles. During the literature
circle day, group members will take turns sharing their work. You will individually annotate while reading in
order to complete your journal, perform your role and to complete the task for the week. Additionally,
there may be one hot seat day, where people will take on the role of a character and be asked questions
prepared by the class.
Assessments
 Open response questions
 Reading journal and sticky notes
 Written requirements for individual roles
 Hot Seat
 ***at the end of the unit, you will complete an essay exploring how and why the main character
changed***
Key Understandings
 In novels and in life, there are catalysts that affect change in people and societies.
 Understanding a character’s changes will often lead you to the novel’s theme.
 Humanity is more than physical – it is possible to gain and / or lose one’s humanity based on choices and
experiences.
You will be able to
 analyze a character’s changes through a novel and identify the theme as it relates to those changes.
 support your interpretations using evidence from the text.
 use comprehension strategies to help you comprehend the text.
Annotation Details:
You will track your main character, mark information for your group role for the week and information that
will help you prepare a response for the discussion question.

3. Group Roles
Instructions: Roles one through four will rotate each week—you will get a turn to do at least three of the
roles. Everyone will do role five each week.
1. Scrapbook Keeper— you will be making pages for a scrapbook, and on them you will record and illustrate
critical facets of the novel. To do this, you will:
a. Select a character, an object (technology, or otherwise), and 2 scenes that are important to the plot and /
or theme.
b. create & attach an image to represent each of the 4 (these can be drawings, collages, computer or
magazine images, etc.)
c. include captions for each of the 4 that explain why each is crucial to the plot / theme. The caption should
be in the form of a direct quotation from the novel, and your thoughts about it. Also, if you chose an
artifact to represent the scene, explain why you chose that item.
2. Theme Tracker- “What does it mean to be human?” This novel asks this question of its readers: “What is
it that we need as human beings to live a fulfilling and meaningful life?”
The societies in these novels are very different from our own and, due to this, the people who
live there are missing out on very important parts of life. This is an important theme of the novel. As the
theme tracker, you will keep track of where in the novel the author is g iving you information about this theme,
and you will post a blog on the ELA section of the 8 Gold discussion board about your ideas fromthe reading.
You will be communicating with other students from both your class and others. Your post should include:
(a) two to three specific quotations from the text, (b) your explanation about why you think each develops the
theme for the novel, (c) some commentary on another student’s analysis, along with your name and date that
you post. Bring a printout of your post to your group’s discussion. Some things you may look for:
*characters who demonstrate they lack ahuman trait, or…
*characters not normally considered human who show signs they HAVE human traits or…
*how a specific piece of technology or rule in society affects the character’s humanity…
*points where the main character shows signs he is developing a key human trait.
3. Societal Researcher- In these novels, the author created a society from their imaginations,
and it is this “new” society which is affecting the characters’ humanity. As the Societal Researcher, you will
focus on comparing and contrasting the society in the novel with ours today, and noting how these differences
affect the humanity of the characters. You will note at least six differences between their society and ours.
For each one, you need to (1) include a direct quotation and explanation, (2) state how this is different from
our society, and (3) explain how this difference affects members of their society. This can be in the form of a
“theirs/ours chart, with a column for impacts. For example, you might note that everyone in your novel is
forced to dress the same, while – in our society – we can choose what we wear. This limits creativity and
personal choice… Here are some things to consider:
a. Laws, rules, punishments, and governments that are different from ours
b. Economic items – jobs, money, what is valued and what is not?
c. Personal relationships, family structures, beliefs – how people relate to one another
d. Technology and inventions – things they have that we don’t

4. 4. Symbol Seeker—You will be in charge of selecting three passages from the text that include symbolism
(either examples of common symbols as we have discussed in class, or other symbols that you discover as you
read). You will also create one symbol to represent the main character and his outlook / traits at this point in
the novel, and a passage that demonstrates th (for example, if you see him as obedient, you might choose a
is
dog and find a passage that shows he is blindly obedient). Using the sketchbook, you will fill four pages, each
with the passage that you choose to share with your group (exact words from the text with the page numbers
included, may be typed or hand-written neatly) along with an image or piece of artwork that represents the
essence of the passage to you. Be sure to include a description of the symbol’s meaning. You should be
prepared to share your choice with the group.
5. Journal Keeper- Every week, each group member will take on the role of the main character throughout the
book. You will write a diary/journal entry in the first person representin that character and his/her changes
g
throughout the novel. Each entry must include specific references to the text as well as quotes.
 In the opening section of the journal, in character, you will introduce yourself to the diary by explain how
ing
you feel about living in your community
 The second entry will detail how and why you are changing
 The last entry will detail your final decisions, why you made them, and your thoughts after the reader leaves
you at the end.
Remember: you will be writing an analytical essay focusing on how and why the primary character changes –
tracking his development into a more fully functioning human being. Whichever role you are doing each week,
you should keep this in mind and work to gather the evidence you need to create a strong, focused essay with
solid textual support!
Annotation: Connections to role and journal
Character development (especially character change)
Questions for your group / me, items that confuse you or that you wish to discuss

5. Personal Success Planning Sheet
Days _______________ My Role This Week___________________________
Date In Class Goals At Home Goals