LOIS LOWRY
GATHERING BLUE
Literature Circle
BY DION STOCKS
Appropriate for High level 5th grade-6th grade
Gathering Blue, a companion book to the popular The Gathering, is a unique book
that explores the life of a girl with a disability in a future society that has suffered and
fallen back into the rugged days with little pity for anyone who is weak. She must face
this society and it’s rituals without any family support. Will she be able to survive in this
rugged world that has become of this society or will she be taken to “the fields” to die?
Your students will enjoy finding many different ideas and thoughts throughout this
book such as the theme of strong vs. weak, primitive society versus today’s society as
well as many others.
This unit is an attempt to assist your students in the process of learning and
understanding literature on a deeper and meaningful level. Students are asked to
complete several task throughout several chapters of the book. You will find a total of
9 sections to this literature circle for your students to complete. Please remember to
take time to individually discuss ideas with your students in the group setting to ensure
comprehension as well as to see their ideas and view points.
1.03 Interact appropriately in group settings by:




listening attentively.
showing empathy.
contributing relevant comments connecting personal experiences to content.
monitoring own understanding of the discussion and seeking clarification as
needed.
1.04 Reflect on learning experiences by:



describing personal learning growth and changes in perspective.
identifying changes in self throughout the learning process.
interpreting how personal circumstances and background shape interaction with
text.
3.02 Explore the problem solution process by:


studying examples (in literature and other text) that present problems coherently,
describe the solution clearly, sequence reasons to support the solution, and show
awareness of audience.
preparing individual and/or group essays and presentations.
3.03 Study arguments that evaluate through:


exploring examples that show a firm control of sound judgments, audience
awareness, clear idea/theme, and the use of relevant and coherent reasons for
support.
preparing individual and/or group essays and presentations.
4.01 Determine the purpose of the author or creator by:


exploring any bias, apparent or hidden messages, emotional factors, or propaganda
techniques.
identifying and exploring the underlying assumptions of the author/creator.
4.02 Develop (with teacher assistance) and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate the quality of
the communication by:



using knowledge of language structure and literary or media techniques.
drawing conclusions based on evidence, reasons, or relevant information.
considering the implications, consequences, or impact of those conclusions.
4.03 Recognize and develop a stance of a critic by:


considering alternative points of view or reasons.
remaining fair-minded and open to other interpretations.
The learner will respond to various literary genres using interpretive and evaluative
processes.
5.01 Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive
reading program by:









using effective reading strategies to match type of text.
reading self-selected literature and other materials of individual interest.
reading literature and other materials selected by the teacher.
discussing literature in teacher-student conferences and small group discussions.
taking an active role in whole class seminars.
discussing and analyzing the effects on texts of such literary devices as figurative
language, dialogue, and flashback.
interpreting text by explaining elements such as plot, theme, point of view,
characterization, mood, and style.
investigating examples of distortion and stereotypes.
recognizing underlying messages in order to identify recurring theme(s) across works.
5.02 Study the characteristics of literary genres (fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry) through:




reading a variety of literature and other text (e.g., novels, autobiographies, myths,
essays, magazines, plays, pattern poems, blank verse).
interpreting what impact genre-specific characteristics have on the meaning of the work.
exploring how the author’s choice and use of a genre shapes the meaning of the literary
work.
exploring what impact literary elements have on the meaning of the text such as the
influence of setting or the problem and its resolution
Index of Assigned Reading:
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
Section 9
pp.
pp.
pp.
pp.
pp.
pp.
pp.
pp.
pp.
1-20
21-55
56-86
87-114
115-129
130-146
147-166
167-190
191-215
Section One:
PP. 1-20
Character Sketcher:
Your job is to sketch Kira and to complete the role sheet.
Discussion Director:
Your job is to ask 5 questions using the role sheet as a guide, the answers to your
questions, and the p. and par. Where the answers are found (if possible) Ask good
thinking questions! Ask the following:
a. 1 MCEOG
b. 2 Thinking Questions
c. 2 Own Your Own
Question 1:
The society that Kira lives in could best be described as:
a. loving
b. harsh
c. joyful
d. normal
Question 2:
How do you feel about a society in which children are disposed of when they are
considered weak?
Answers will vary- It shows that they are primitive, that they are only concerned with
those who are strong enough to produce, the lame are weak and are of no use
Question 3:
Why do you think Vandara seemed to attack Kira- what could have been her
purpose?
Answers will vary- Vandara wanted the land that Kira’s mother had owned for her
own use, she did not approve of the girl being kept of alive because she was weak
Question 4:
Page 15 paragraph 1 describes how Vandara was scared, how does this describe her
character?
Answers will vary- it is a symbol of her toughness, her ability to fight and her strong will
Question 5:
Why is this ability for Kira to produce special weavings important?
Answers will vary- it may be her only way to survive
Passage Picker:
Pick 4 passages that exhibit the following. Be sure to use the role sheet as a guide:
a.
b.
c.
d.
metaphor
important
foreshadowing
on your own
1.
Metaphor - Page 1 par. 2 “ She thought that she could feel…… small whisper of
breeze at night.”
2. Important – Page 8 par. 1 “ An older child….and the boy grinned in reply.”
3. Foreshadowing – Pg 19-20 last par. “Kira had always had a clever way…if
only she was allowed to stay.”
4. On Your Own – page 16 par 4/5 “ What would my mother…his spirit is in me,
too.”
Word Wizard:
Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words. Pick only 4:
Propelled
Acknowledgment
Identifiable
Methodically
Taunting
Tentatively
Malevolence
Apprehensive
Hesitancy
p.
p.
p.
p.
p.
p.
p.
p.
p.
3 ¶ 1
3 ¶ 3
9 ¶ 1
9 ¶ 6
10 ¶ 1
14 ¶ 6
15 ¶ 1
17 ¶ 4
20
Author Informer:
Your Job is to find information about the author of the book. You should give
information about past books, special awards, or other interesting facts. For
information see the back cover or sleeve of the book. You may also use the following
web pages for information:
http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/authors/lowr.html
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~lbs5z/Lowry/Lois%20Lowry/
or use www.google.com to do your internet search- Type in the authors name
Example:
Lowis Lowry first book was published in 1977 –A Summer to Die
She has written the famous Anatasisa Krupnik series
Received two Newberry awards for Number The Stars and The Giver
Taught herself to read and write by 3 years old
LOIS LOWRY
GATHERING BLUE
Literature Circle
Section 2
Section 2 pp. 21-55
Character Sketcher:
Using your role sheet, your job is to sketch Kira and Matt
Discussion Director:
Your job is to ask 5 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where
the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
2 MCEOG
1 Setting
1 Problem/Solution
1 Prediction
Passage Picker
Using your role sheet, pick 5 passages that exhibit the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
1 foreshadowing
1 scary
2 important
1 own your own
Word Wizard
Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 4:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Sputtering p. 22 par. 2
Interweave p. 23 par. 1
Apprehensions p. 23 par. 2
Dispassionately p. 26 par 1
Elite p. 31 par 2
Contemptuous p. 37 top of page
Competent p. 37 par 2
Vindictive p. 38 par 1
Connector:
Pick a passage from the 1st section and one from this section. What is the important
about both of these passages to the story? What kind of knowledge can you gain by
pulling out these two paragraphs?
EXAMPLE:
Page 20 “ Now, without instruction…to stay.”- Leads to the idea of being able to have
something to help her survive. A skill, which is important due to her disability.
Page 33 “touching her scrap of cloth, she shook her head no” She found comfort in this
piece of cloth. Was it possible that she would be able to draw some type of strength as
well as a future job from this ability? This is important because we all have skills and
strengths that we must identify in life. We must be able to master these skills as early
as possible if we want to be able to use them effectively after we become older.
LOIS LOWRY
GATHERING BLUE
Literature Circle
Section 3
Section 3 pp. 56-86
Character Sketcher:
Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character
Jamison.
Discussion Director:
Your job is to ask 6 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where
the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:
a. 2 MCEOG
b. 2 Problem/Solving
c. 2 Prediction
Passage Picker:
Using your role sheet, pick 5 passages that exhibit the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
1 informative
1 surprising
1 important
2 own your own
Word Wizard
Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 4:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Mammoth p. 57 par. 6
Inquired p. 58 par. 7
Apologetically p. 59 par. 3
Inert p. 65 par. 2
Apparently p. 67 par 2
Astonishment p. 70 par. 3
Mordant p. 84 par. 2
Summarizer
Prepare a brief summary of today’s reading. Make sure to include all main ideas and
points.
EXAMPLE: Today we read the 3rd section of Gathering Blue. Kira is moving into her
new home in the palace. She will be in charge of repairing the damage to the singers
robe. It was interesting to see how she had never had running water and didn’t even
know what the bathtub was for. This shows how hard her life was and how poor she
was. She also meets Thomas, he is important because he is much like Kira. Taken as a
young child to come and work on the staff that the Singer uses at the ceremony. He
helps to explain to her all the workings of her new home. Kira also visits the old lady
who will teach her how to do the dyeing of the thread. All of these things are
important because it is the meat of the story, we have been introduced to several new
characters who will play an essential role in the story as well as hints of foreshadowing.
LOIS LOWRY
GATHERING BLUE
Literature Circle
Section 4
Section 4 pp. 87-114
Character Sketcher:
Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character
Robe. Be sure to include a narrative describing it’s importance to the people. Try to
show the important designs as described. Try to show what characteristics make it
important.
Discussion Director:
Your job is to ask 6 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where
the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
2 MCEOG
1 Fact/Opinion
1 Cause/Effect
1 Main Idea
Passage Picker:
Using your role sheet, pick 5 passages that exhibit the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Symbolism
Important
Foreshadowing
Descriptive
Mysterious/Intriguing
Word Wizard
Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 4:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Hues p. 87 par. 1
Confrontation p. 91 par. 1
Voluminous p. 94 par. 3
Imperceptibly p. 94 par. 4
Meticulous p. 95 par. 2
Intricately p. 105 par. 1
Disdainfully p. 110 par. 4
Connector:
Your job is to connect the book your group is reading to the outside world. This means
asking yourself questions and writing a paragraph about one or more of them. Be sure
to follow the role sheet that your teacher has given you.
LOIS LOWRY
GATHERING BLUE
Literature Circle
Section 5
Section 5 pp. 115-129
Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character the
beasts.
Discussion Director:
Your job is to ask 5questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where
the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:
a. 2 prediction
b. 2 character
c. 1 MCEOG
_____________________________________________________________________
Passage Picker:
Using your role sheet, pick 4 passages that exhibit the following:
a. 2 Informative
b. 1 thematic
c. 1 foreshadowing
Word Wizard
Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 4:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Mischief p. 116 par. 5
Ravished p. 117 par. 1
Colicky p. 120 par. 2
Anticipation p. 120 par. 8
Inflection p. 122 par. 5
Indicating p. 127 par. 2
Summarizer
Prepare a brief summary of today’s reading. Make sure to include all main ideas and
points.
LOIS LOWRY
GATHERING BLUE
Literature Circle
Section 6
Section 6 pp. 130-146
Character Sketcher:
Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character Jo
Discussion Director:
Your job is to ask 6 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where
the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Mood
2 MCEOG
Compare/Contrast
Problem/Solution
Sequence
Passage Picker:
Using your role sheet, pick 5 passages that exhibit the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
2 Important
1 Informative
1 Descriptive
1 Dialect
Word Wizard
Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 5:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Solemnly p. 132 par. 6
Ignorance p. 134 par 5
Inappropriate p. 135 par. 4
Corridor p. 136 par. 6
Captive p. 142 par. 8
Mischievous p. 146 par. 3
Illustrator:
Using the role sheet, draw some kind of picture related to the reading.
LOIS LOWRY
GATHERING BLUE
Literature Circle
Section 7
Section 7 pp. 147-166
Character Sketcher:
Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character
Thomas
Discussion Director:
Your job is to ask 5 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where
the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Prediction
Cause/Effect
Main Idea
Setting
Compare/Contrast
Passage Picker:
Using your role sheet, pick 4 passages that exhibit the following:
a.
b.
d.
e.
Important
Fact/Opinion
Symbolism
Controversial
Word Wizard
Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 6:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Clamor p. 147 par. 3
Illuminated p. 148 par. 8
Infinitesimally p. 155 par. 3
Quizzically p. 156 par. 5
Treacherous p. 158 par. 10
Incessant p. 159 par. 2
Infectious p. 166 par 1
Connector:
Pick a passage from a previous section and one from this section. What is the
important about both of these passages to the story? What kind of knowledge can
you gain by pulling out these two paragraphs
LOIS LOWRY
GATHERING BLUE
Literature Circle
Section 8
Section 8 pp. 167-190
Character Sketcher:
Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character The
Singer
Discussion Director:
Your job is to ask 5 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where
the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Descriptive
MCEOG
2 Symbolism
1 Point of View
Passage Picker:
Using your role sheet, pick 5 passages that exhibit the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Setting
Italics
Plot
Important
Mysterious/Intriguing
Word Wizard
Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 5:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Solace p. 167 last sentence
Intermittent p. 180 par. 4
Emergence p. 181 par. 2
Horrid p. 188 par. 8
Passionately p. 189 par. 7
Connector:
Your job is to connect the book your group is reading to the outside world. This means
asking yourself questions and writing a paragraph about one or more of them. Be sure
to follow the role sheet that your teacher has given you.
LOIS LOWRY
GATHERING BLUE
Literature Circle
Section 9
Section 9 pp. 191-215
Character Sketcher:
Your job is to follow the Character Sketcher role sheet. Please sketch the character the
Christopher.
Discussion Director:
Your job is to ask 5 questions, the answers to your questions, and the p. and par. Where
the answers are found (if possible). Ask good thinking questions! Ask the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Theme/Moral
Compare/Contrast
Italics
Point of View
Characterization
Passage Picker:
Using your role sheet, pick 5 passages that exhibit the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Important
Surprising
Symbolism
Fact/Opinion
Thematic
Word Wizard
Your job is to complete your role sheet for the following words, pick 5:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Solemnity p. 191 par 2
Courteous p. 192 par 5
Delirious p. 202 last sentence
Squalor p. 210 9
Grotesquely p. 211 par 1
Summarizer:
Think about this book and what it means to you and our society today. What would it
be like to live in a world like this or do we now? Would you have made the same
decision that Kira did at the end of the story? What does this say about her own
character?
Congratulations on finishing this study. I hope that you have found many new and
interesting things.