Utopia Project Utopia was an imaginary island described

Utopia Project Utopia was an imaginary island described by Sir Thomas More in the 14 th 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.

The Giver � 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?

Real World Attempts at Utopia �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.

Process Each group member will be responsible for presenting one of the following subtopics: : 1. Government and Values 2. Family, 3. Education and Careers 4. Technology and Location

Steps 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.

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? �What do the people in your community value most? �Briefly describe five important values of your community.

Resources Types of Governments: Types of Governments from BBC: Values:

� In 2. Family 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 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 of Elderly, 09

3. Education and Careers: � 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?

Resources 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 � 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 a Power. Point 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

Day 1: �Notebook entry 61: Define “Utopia” and cite examples of it from The Giver �Meet with group to assign roles and share initial ideas �Exit slip with definition of “Utopia”

Day 2: � 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

Day 3 � 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

Day 4 � Notebook entry 63 A: My ideas ◦ After reviewing notes, jot down some ideas for your Utopia � Notebook entry 63 B: Group plan ◦ Using Powerpoint prompt, go over questions for each topic and answer as group ◦ Record answers for ALL topics in 63 B ◦ Don’t forget to name your world � Share in whiparound

Day 5: Begin powerpoint � Review questions to be addressed � Complete slide one including pictures, text, and citation for all borrowed ideas and photos � Make sure you add citations to work cited page and add a parenthetical citation in the slide � Complete � View notecard or cards for that slides with a gallery walk

Citing Sources 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)

Works Cited Stutz, Unknown. N. p. . Web. 28 May 2013. <http: //www. stutzfamily. com/mrstutz/World. Affairs/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>.

Our government will be a monarchy. (“Famous Queens”) • • The ruler will be a female After World War VII, it was decided that female leadership might lead to a conflictfree society.

� The queen is selected through genetic testing of all female members of the population � Genetic markers indicate desired qualities of kindness, generosity, and diplomacy �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)

� 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)

Day 6: Powerpoint continued � Review questions to be addressed � Complete slide two including pictures, text, and citation for all borrowed ideas and photos � Make sure you add citations to work cited page and add a parenthetical citation in the slide � Complete � View notecard or cards for that slides with a gallery walk

Day 7: Powerpoint continued � Review questions to be addressed � Complete slide three including pictures, text, and citation for all borrowed ideas and photos � Make sure you add citations to work cited page and add a parenthetical citation in the slide � Complete � View notecard or cards for that slides with a gallery walk

Day 8: Powerpoint continued � Review questions to be addressed � Complete slide four including pictures, text, and citation for all borrowed ideas and photos � Make sure you add citations to work cited page and add a parenthetical citation in the slide � Complete � View notecard or cards for that slides with a gallery walk

Day 9: Collaborate with Group �Review each presentation �Time each presentation to ensure that it is two minutes long �Practice presenting http: //www. online-stopwatch. com/full-screen-stopwatch/

Day 10: Present!