Here is an introduction to our new unit...
OTHER
SKIES AND THE WORLD OF DYSTOPIA
Big question – What
can we learn about our world by reading dystopian literature?
Many ideas from NY Times Lesson Plans Site have been used
and expanded upon. Reference: http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/15/the-odds-ever-in-your-favor-ideas-and-resources-for-teaching-the-hunger-games/
BACKGROUNDER… AUTHOR INSPRIRATION…
What inspired or influenced the authors of our dystopian novels when writing their books? What is the background of the novels? Are they about, how
humanity survives… Government or Political Structure… The role of “Big Brother”
watching you… The use of resources or amount of resources….
What is it about the world of the future that should be perfect, yet is not??? What is the controlling force that gets in the way of freedom? How is our world "foreshadowing" the world of the future? Is there a connection between the world of the dystopian novel and an element of these worlds?
Before we even begin, check out the links below to author interviews, book trailers and fan blogs... Even if you are not assigned the book that captures your interest... you can always read that particular novel after our Literature Circles! Remember you are not LIMITED to reading just one book. BIG BROTHER will not stop you in you quest to read and enjoy books!
The Hunger Games -
Suzanne Collins http://www.scholastic.com/browse/video.jsp?pID=1640183585&bcpid=1640183585&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAFv844g~,BASb5BU03X_L2cn86MC9qSzQHunGEilJ&bclid=1745181007&bctid=1840656769
Book Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TnxXoMpF3c
Movie Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIVKX4Wu77U
Divergent – Veronica
Roth
Book Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu5Erw-posg
Matched – Ally Condie
Book trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaeNWL8rlBI
http://www.matched-book.com/bio.html
Author Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gBf1QBZ1xU&feature=related
Author Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gBf1QBZ1xU&feature=related
Maze Runner – James
Dashner
http://yabookscentral.blogspot.ca/2011/02/interview-with-james-dashner.html
http://jamesdashner.blogspot.ca/2009/09/maze-runner-website.html
http://jamesdashner.blogspot.ca/2009/09/maze-runner-website.html
The Eleventh Plague –
Jeff Hirsch
Book Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__f4S0hv1EI
WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S THE HYPE WITH DYSTOPIA??? HERE ARE SOME DEBATES, ARTICLES AND ESSAYS ON THE TOPIC FOR TEENS AND THEIR PARENTS!! Seriously, read some of the links below and discuss the issues with your parents... get's you thinking!
WHY DOES DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE CAPTIVATE TEENS? Questions and Answers
for Teens and Their Parents…. A selection of Debates, Articles and Essays…
Why are dystopian novels so compelling or engaging for young
readers? Everyone is wondering, maybe those who wonder, haven’t read any of the
books, so they prefer to wonder…. Anyways the following essay, “Teenage
Wastelands” explores some well known dystopian books and reasons for their
popularity. I love the fact that the guy who wrote, the non-fiction-turned-fiction novel, A Million Little Pieces, also wrote I am Number Four…
Hilarious!! http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/20/magazine/20FOB-WWLN-t.html?_r=1
The debate, “When Authors Take Risks That’s Not Kid Stuff”
really captures my attention and in a couple of the debaters arguments,
actually makes my blood boil (imagine that!). Seriously! Check out, “Adults Should Read Adult
Books”… This guy, Joel Stein, really ticks me off, as he makes fun of adults
who read young adult's books, yet admits he has never read any of them. (Grrr!!!) What a
know-it-all, elitist jerk! A good book is a good book! It’s good to read a book
for entertainment’s sake and one that is thought provoking. Thank Goodness, there are
thought provoking novels for teens! Maybe this is a soft spot for me as a
teacher who started reading young adult fiction to find out what to recommend
for kids, then found herself enjoying teen fiction just as much as adult
fiction…. Anyways, check out the debate, it’s thought provoking and
interesting. I need to think about other things before I get too riled up! And
for the record, I am not ashamed that I read the Twilight series! (Yes I even said it in print!) Here’s the
debate…See what get’s Ms. SM steamed about literary debates…
Will teen books like The Hunger Games make teens glorify
violence? Is The Hunger Games just a book about "kids killing kids"? Is this new
craze for dystopian genre which explores "more adult-like" political topics a new thing? Or are political topics in children’s literature something that even Lewis Carroll explored in
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland back in the late 1800’s? In the following
article, “No More Adventures in Wonderland”, the author examines how serious and sometimes
violent concepts in children’s writing is not a new thing, and sometimes just a
better vehicle for exploring serious issues and getting the message out there. Is it important to "bubble wrap" and keep kids in the dark, or educate and encourage kids to think about these issues through discussion? Just check out the article...
The Great Dystopian Debate…
Why do you think teens are drawn to dystopian literature?
Read the debaters points from above, and think about who is right… or why do you think they
are right? Get ready for an intense class discussion on the topic, prepare to justify who you agree with most? Why? What is your opinion?
