Introduction

1. Introduction IMAGINE Living in a society where the population has increased to dangerous levels and the  government controls virtually every aspect of its citizens' lives, including placing restrictions on how many children a family can have. IMAGINE Being a third child in a family when the government allows only two children. IMAGINE Having to spend your entire life "hidden" from society and the government.

2. Population Figures • In the USA, one person is born every 8 seconds. • At the same time, a person dies every 12 seconds. • A person immigrates to the United States every 37 seconds (it is unknown if this is legal or illegal immigration). • This means that the US population increases by 1 every 14 seconds based on these USA population figures.

3. Among the Hidden • Look at the front of the book and make a prediction about the story in your journal. • After reading the first page, revise your prediction and share your first and second thoughts with your partner. • Why has Luke decided that he will never be allowed to go outside again?

4. Review Chapter 1 • Choose one of the questions below and write it in your journal. Write a short paragraph to explain your answer to the question. • Why is Luke afraid he will never be allowed outside again? • Why do you think the Government forced them to sell their land? • Would you be able to survive not ever going outside again?

5. Vocabularywrite these words in your regular journal Harrumphed Defiance Ladling Skittish Glimpse Lofty Hulking Beckoned Savored umpteenth

6. Chapter 2 • Take turns reading with your partner. Read in a soft voice so as not to interfere with others around you. Both of you should be following along as one reads. • Discuss – 1. What event does Luke recall that made him realize that his brothers have never had to hide like him. 2. Why didn’t Luke’s parents take the Population Law seriously when they became pregnant? 3. What did Luke’s mother and father see on TV while pregnant that scared them?

7. Chapter 2 –response questionsCHOOSE ONE! • What clues suggest that Luke and his family live under an oppressive (overpowering) government? Explain. • Do you think that Luke’s parents should feel guilty for the life their son must lead? Why or why not? • Why does Luke tell his mother that it is okay that he is in hiding? Do you agree/disagree and why?

8. Character Analysis of Luke • Class discussion – find examples in the first two chapters that demonstrate Luke’s maturity level. • Complete A Character of Action with a partner • Individually, write a one paragraph character analysis of Luke on a separate piece of paper.

9. SAW TOPIC • Why is freedom so important? What does the term “free citizen” mean in your life today? What are you free to do under the law? What are you not free to do under the law? Think about these things and then write a paragraph that explains what freedom means to you. • Read chapter 3 silently and answer the guiding questions as you go along.

10. 1. What’s happening to Luke’s beloved woods?2. Why is Dad so mad at him for looking out the window.3. What do you think the population police do? What do you think they would do if they found Luke?4. What did Luke just realize that his room had? Why is that so important?5. On page 19, write the sentence that is an example of foreshadowing. What do you think might happen?