The Giver , by Lois Lowry
Utopia Project
Introduction:
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. Over the years many groups have tried to create utopian communities. 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:
Utopia: Wikipedia
Dystopia
New Harmony
. The Shakers
. Victory City
The Principality of New Utopia
The Task:
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. The plan must describe how your community will
handle each of these subtopics: 1) Government and Values; 2) Family; 3) Education and Careers; and 4)
Technology and Location. You will deliver your plan in an oral presentation with a paper with one
paragraph minimum per subtopic, illustrations and a diorama, model or poster of how your community
would look.
Listed below are the questions to consider and the resources to explore. Students will take notes on their
subtopic outlines, illu8strate each section, and write 3-4 paragraphs summarizing their ideas for their
group plan.
1. Government and Values:
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?
Design a flag for your community and describe what the symbols and colors represent.
What do the people in your community value most? (You are founding __________ because you want
to live in a community where people are ...) Briefly describe five important values of your
community.
Resources for Government subtopic:
Types of Governments:
Types of Governments from BBC:
US House of Representatives: Check the kid's link for images.
Values: Contains a long list of them
Flags of the world site
2. Family:
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).
Resources for Family subtopic:
What is the Ideal Marriage?
Marriage Site, 09
Ancient Weddings: Ideal Marriage?
Arranged Marriage
Arranged Marriages in the US
China's One Child Policy, 08
Infant Day Care Issues
Child Care Site
Care of Elderly
Elder Care
Care of Elderly,09 Medical Alert Equipment
3. Education and Careers:
In your perfect world what would be the ideal way to learn?
Describe your education system and schools. 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?
Resources for Education and Career subtopic:
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
4. Technology/Location:
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.)
Resources for Technology subtopic:
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?
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
Group Presentation:
All groups will present their findings to the class by means of an oral presentation supported by each
team member’s detailed explanation of his/her subtopic. Groups will also display their diorama, model
or poster. All features must be clearly labeled.
*** The team presentation will be at least five minutes long. ***
STUDENTS WILL HAVE TIME IN CLASS FROM 5/14/12-5/25/12
PROJECTS ARE DUE:
PERIODS 2, 4, 6  THURSDAY 5/24/12
PERIODS 1, 3, 5, 7  FRIDAY 5/25/12
"A map of the world that does not show Utopia is not worth looking at... When Humanity lands there,
it looks out, and seeing a better country, sets sail. Progress is the realization of Utopias."
by Oscar Wilde
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have read and understand the requirements of this project. I am aware of the due date and project
timeline and am well aware that no late projects will be accepted. I also understand that the project grade
is individual and will count as two grades, the project grade and the oral presentation grade.
_________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Student signature
date
_________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Parent/guardian signature
date