Utopia Project

1. Utopia Project 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. 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.

2. 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?

3. 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 ShakersVictory City • The Principality of New Utopia

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

9. 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).

10. Resources What is the Ideal Marriage? Marriage Site, 09 Ancient Weddings: 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

11. 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?

12. Resources • Student compiled History of American Education: Contains many images. • The History of American Education • Misunderstood MindsBBC 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 • KindergartenApprenticeship http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apprenticeship • Bill Gate's School of the FutureCareer site • Education Site, 09 • Toffler's School of Tomorrow

13. 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.)

14. 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

15. Group Presentation: All groups will present their findings to the class by means of a PowerPoint 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.

16. PREPARE CITATIONS USING THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES: Citationmachine.com http://citationmachine.net easybib.com

17. 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”

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. 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 notecard or cards for that slide • View slides with a gallery walk

22. 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)

23. Works Cited Stutz, Unknown. N.p.. Web. 28 May 2013. <http://www.stutzfamily.com/mrstutz/WorldAffairs/typesofgovt.html>. N.p.. Web. 28 May 2013. <http://www.biography.com/people/groups/royalty/kings-and-queens/female>. Jabr, F.. N.p.. Web. 28 May 2013. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=exposing-the-student-body>. Roberts, C.. N.p.. Web. 28 May 2013. <http://www.selfcounseling.com/help/personalsuccess/personalvalues.html>. . N.p.. Web. 29 May 2013. <http://breatheofinspiration.blogspot.com/2012/06/hammocks.html>.

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

25. 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)

26. 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)

27. 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)

28. 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 notecard or cards for that slide • View slides with a gallery walk

29. 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 notecard or cards for that slide • View slides with a gallery walk

30. 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 notecard or cards for that slide • View slides with a gallery walk

31. 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/

32. Day 10: Present!