Utopia was an imaginary island described by
Sir Thomas More in the 14th century which
was to be a perfect community. Utopia’s
government and social customs were all
designed to ensure the fulfillment and
happiness of its people. Lois Lowry’s novel,
The Giver, is part of a long literary tradition
in which writers attempt to describe the
perfect society. Ancient Greek philosopher
Plato probably envisioned the first Utopian
society in Plato’s Republic, written 350 B.C.E.
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Describe the utopian society in this novel.
What are some of the problems of this
society?
Have you read any other books that describe
a utopian society?
Do you think it is possible to successful in
creating such a world?
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Some examples from American history
include the Oneida Community, the Shakers,
the Harmonists, and Brook Farm. Some
modern American utopian communities
include Victory City, Utopian States, and The
Principality of New Utopia.
Other links to browse:
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Utopia: Wikipedia
Dystopia
New Harmony
The Shakers
Victory City
The Principality of New Utopia
Our country is in decline and will
soon face extinction. Your group
has been chosen to create a plan
for an ideal community. Your
group will present this plan to the
class as if you are trying to recruit
your classmates as colonists to
your utopian community.
:
Each group member will be responsible
for presenting one of the following
subtopics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Government and Values
Family,
Education and Careers
Technology and Location
1. Students will use the sites provided to research their
subtopic.
2. Students will make note cards to help with oral
presentation.
3. Students will prepare a minimum of four slides for
their presentation that include pictures and engaging
graphics.
4. Students will document sources for resources,
photos, and music using either Citationmachine.net,
Citationmachine.com, or easybib.com. In addition to a
Works Cited page, there will be a parenthetical citation
included with each slide.
In your perfect world, what would be
the ideal form of government?
 Who will be in charge and make
decisions for your community?
 How will the leader(s) be chosen?
How long will they serve?
 What do the people in your
community value most?
 Briefly describe five important values
of your community.
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Types of Governments:
Types of Governments from BBC:
Values:
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In your perfect world what would be the ideal
family?
How will families be formed?
Who will decide who marries whom and who has
children?
How many children will be allowed in each
family?
Who will care for the children? Where?
Who will care for the elderly? Where?
Think of at least one original family ritual that all
families of your community will observe (like
celebrating Christmas with presents and a tree).
What is the Ideal Marriage?
China's One Child Policy, 08
Marriage Site, 09
Infant Day Care Issues
Ancient Weddings:
Child Care Site
Arranged Marriage
Care of Elderly
Arranged Marriages in the
US
Elder Care
Care of Elderly,09
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In your perfect world what would be the ideal
way to learn?
Describe your school.
What age will students pursue their education?
Describe the school building (or location).
What will be taught, with what tools, and by
whom?
Will girls and boys be treated differently?
Who chooses what career each member of the
community will pursue and how is it chosen?
How long must citizens have the same job?
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Student compiled History of American Education: Contains many
images.
The History of American Education
Misunderstood Minds
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Muslim girls struggle for education
Some traditional interpretations of Islam mean access to
education for Arab ...
Emphasis on female education in the Arab world is lacking almost
altogether ...
Open Progressive School
Kindergarten
Apprenticeship http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apprenticeship
Bill Gate's School of the Future
Career site
Education Site, 09
Toffler's School of Tomorrow
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Describe the level of technology for your
community.
Will your community have futuristic technology
or go back to simpler times?
What methods of transportation will be used?
What about communication?
What will be your community’s source of energy?
Describe your community layout and location.
(For example: Our community will be one large
building … located on an island in the Pacific
Ocean.)
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Timeline of
Transportation
Technology from
Wikipedia
Innovative Transportation
Technologies: Contains
some new ideas for
transportation
Hydrogen Fuel
Cells: Basic information
about how hydrogen fuel
cells work
Cars of the Future
Robotic Pets
Future For All: What's
Coming?
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Future Energy Sources
What is Nanotechnology?
Cities of the Future
Energy links
Chevy Fuel Cell
Nuclear Power
Energy Sources: check left
margin
Innovative Transportation
Coolest communication
devices of the future
Floating Platforms for
Island Communities
All groups will present their findings to the class by
means of a PowerPoint presentation supported by
each team member’s detailed explanation of
his/her subtopic.
1. The team presentation will be at least eight
minutes long.
2. Each member will speak about his/her
individual subtopic.
3. Students will be graded on final powerpoint
presentation.
PREPARE CITATIONS USING THE FOLLOWING
WEBSITES:
Citationmachine.com
http://citationmachine.net
easybib.com
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Notebook entry 61: Define
“Utopia” and cite examples of it
from The Giver
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Meet with group to assign roles
and share initial ideas
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Exit slip with definition of
“Utopia”
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Go to my web page and open up “Utopia
Powerpoint”
Notebook entry 62: select two sources from
the Utopia Powerpoint that relate to your
subtopic questions. Take Cornell Notes for
essential question: What are some ideas for
my Utopia?
On an exit card, write several ideas from each
source
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Create Powerpoint
◦ Save it as “Utopia”
◦ Title first page “Works Cited”
◦ Cite two sources using:
 http://citationmachine.net
 Citationmachine.com
 easybib.com
If the citation website doesn’t recognize the URL address,
then you need to put in specific information such as
author (last name, first name),article title, website name,
date published or revised, and URL address.
Gallery walk of works cited page
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Notebook entry 63A: My ideas
◦ After reviewing notes, jot down some ideas for
your Utopia
Notebook entry 63B: Group plan
◦ Using Powerpoint prompt, go over questions for
each topic and answer as group
◦ Record answers for ALL topics in 63B
◦ Don’t forget to name your world
Share in whiparound
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Review questions to be addressed
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Complete slide one including pictures, text,
and citation for all borrowed ideas and photos
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Make sure you add citations to work cited
page and add a parenthetical citation in the
slide
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Complete notecard or cards for that slide
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View slides with a gallery walk
1. List sources on work cited page
2. Add parenthetical citations to actual slides:
Author: (Lowry)
Article Title: (“Checklist for Personal Values”)
Website name: (PBS)
Stutz, Unknown. N.p.. Web. 28 May 2013.
<http://www.stutzfamily.com/mrstutz/WorldAffairs/typesofgovt.ht
ml>.
N.p.. Web. 28 May 2013.
<http://www.biography.com/people/groups/royalty/kings-andqueens/female>.
Jabr, F.. N.p.. Web. 28 May 2013.
<http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=exposing-thestudent-body>.
Roberts, C.. N.p.. Web. 28 May 2013.
<http://www.selfcounseling.com/help/personalsuccess/personalval
ues.html>.
. N.p.. Web. 29 May 2013.
<http://breatheofinspiration.blogspot.com/2012/06/hammocks.ht
ml>.
(“Famous Queens”)
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The ruler will be a female
After World War VII, it was decided that
female leadership might lead to a conflictfree society.
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The queen is selected through genetic testing of
all female members of the population
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Genetic markers indicate desired qualities of
kindness, generosity, and diplomacy
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A queen must be at least thirty years of age.
(Scientific American)
This society will select a queen who can live by the
values which are most important to its citizens.
Among these values are:
PEACE
KINDNESS
GENEROSITY
(Roberts)
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A queen will serve for no more than thirty years
Following her service, she will retire to the Island
of Past Queens
She and her family will live out the rest of her
days in luxury.
(Breath of Inspiration)
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Review questions to be addressed
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Complete slide two including pictures, text, and
citation for all borrowed ideas and photos
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Make sure you add citations to work cited page and
add a parenthetical citation in the slide
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Complete notecard or cards for that slide
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View slides with a gallery walk
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Review questions to be addressed
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Complete slide three including pictures, text, and
citation for all borrowed ideas and photos
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Make sure you add citations to work cited page and
add a parenthetical citation in the slide
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Complete notecard or cards for that slide
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View slides with a gallery walk
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Review questions to be addressed
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Complete slide four including pictures, text, and
citation for all borrowed ideas and photos
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Make sure you add citations to work cited page and
add a parenthetical citation in the slide
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Complete notecard or cards for that slide
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View slides with a gallery walk
 Review
each presentation
 Time each presentation to ensure
that it is two minutes long
 Practice presenting
http://www.online-stopwatch.com/full-screen-stopwatch/