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The Giver by Lois Lowry: Chapters 1-4

Signposts

Signpost Page # What I Noticed: Text Evidence What it means: Answer the anchor question
MM 11 "Every December was exciting to me when I was young...Each December brings changes." I think this memory is important as Jonas he remembers previous Decembers and the excitement and as he thinks to this December which is the Ceremony of Twelve.

Directions:  Each chapter contains examples of the signposts.  Signposts are a way for the reader to connect to the text and understand it in a more meaningful way.  Using the example above, please find three other signpost examples from chapters 1-4 and share your thinking similar to the chart that is shown above.

After Reading Questions

Chapter 1

  1. What are some clues that Jonas’s community is different from the one in which you live?

Chapter 2

  1. How would you feel not to have your own individual birthday?
  2. If you were attending the Ceremony of Twelve with Jonas, what Assignment do you think the Elders would select for you?

Chapter 3

  1. How would you feel to be watched all the time, the way Jonas is?
  2. Do you think it says something about Jonas that he sees the apple change?

Chapter 4

  1. Jonas’s community has a lot of rules. Do you think that’s a good thing or a bad thing? Why?

Option #1: Writing a Letter

Option #1:  Write a Letter

You just read chapters 1 and 2 that described Jonas’ family and their lives.  Pretend you just went on a visit to Jonas’ house. Write a letter to one of yourfamily members, immediate or not, describing the experience and the way Jonas and his family live.

Write this as a LETTER.  Your letter you should include the following:

  • Compare how your life is similar to Jonas' life.
  • How is your life different than Jonas’?

(Attach this on a separate sheet of paper.)

Option #2: Releasing the Elderly

Option #2:  Releasing the Elderly

Chapter 4 was all about the release of the elderly. Release had been mentioned earlier in chapter one. Use your knowledge from the book to explain all the components of what release is. Then create a simile or metaphor to show the comparison of the release of the elderly.

Components of a society:

  • Component #1
  • Component #2
  • Component #3

Simile or Metaphor:

The release  of the elderly is  _____________________________________